Wheezy

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"Asthma is a chronic condition involving the respiratory system in which the airways occasionally constrict, become inflamed, and are lined with excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers.^[1] These episodes may be triggered by such things as exposure to an environmental stimulant such as an allergen, environmental tobacco smoke, cold or warm air, perfume, pet dander, moist air, exercise or exertion, or emotional stress. In children, the most common triggers are viral illnesses such as those that cause the common cold.^[2] This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The airway constriction responds to bronchodilators. Between episodes, most patients feel well but can have mild symptoms and they may remain short of breath after exercise for longer periods of time than the unaffected individual. The symptoms of asthma, which can range from mild to life threatening, can usually be controlled with a combination of drugs and environmental changes."
-Wikiepedia.org

This morning I woke up bright and early to walk/run the Y. My plan was to walk up, then run down. Kurt was originally planning on coming with me, but due to a hard fall he took yesterday, he decided it was best not to.
I really like being up early in the morning. I just don't like waking up. However, this morning I was successful in getting up early. (Most nights before I go to bed I insist that I'm going to get up early, then in the morning I snooze until the last possible minute. Then, as I get ready for work, I insist that I'm going to get to bed early. Then, I don't get to bed until my normal time--which isn't early, but it's not late. It's a vicious cycle.) I was so proud of myself! I dressed in my work out clothes, excited at the idea of doing cardio outside ... see, I hate cardio. HATE IT, thanks to my asthma. But running outside isn't as torturous for me. Plus, however far you go, you have to come back (as opposed to the gym where you can step off at any time). I was surprisingly awake, but apparently not alert as I took 3 wrong turns on my way to the Y trailhead. I got out of the car. Took a few swigs of Powerade, took 3 hits off the ol' inhaler, and took off at a brisk walk.
Now, my asthma is not consistent. Some days I have no symptoms whatsoever, just some shortness of breath while doing squats at the gym. Other days, however, I start to hyperventilate just standing at the filing cabinet in my office. When I woke, I thought it would be a good day. As I climbed the first switchback, however, I saw that I was wrong. There's a bench at the first turn in the trail ... I sat down, gasping for breath, trying to keep my racing heartbeat and breathing slow. Okay, I thought to myself, maybe not all the way to the top. I'll just walk up for 30 minutes, with the fewest amount of stops, and then turn around and run down. I started walking again and after 5 minutes again I needed a break. I squatted on my heels in the middle of the trail and slowed my breathing back down. Wind felt sharp as it squeezed through my constricted trachea and bronchial tubes. Maybe 20 minutes up would be better. Long story short, I didn't make it twenty minutes up, but I did do 15. And the annoying thing is, the run down was fine! I could probably run down hill all day without worrying about my asthma. If only you could run down a hill without having to come back up...

So I've got a goal now. I plan on doing the Y three mornings a week. I'm gonna work up to being able to go all the way up without stopping too much. Wow, that sounds sad.