You don’t need to be an overachiever!

So you know I’m a type A personality.  This isn’t anything new.  So it might not come as a surprise to you that I’m always trying to map out all of my workouts, races, and yoga classes.  A few weeks ago, I sat down with my bff Google Calendar and worked out a training plan that would get me in shape to run the Philadelphia Half Marathon in September, and the next day I set out for a run.

It didn’t go very well.  It was a nice little 3 miler, but not even a mile in, I was walking.  I was huffing and puffing, even though I’d taken my medicine before I left.  You see, like many other runners, I have exercise induced asthma.  I’ve never (knock on wood) had an attack, but my lungs are awfully tight when I run.  I’ve tried to work through it, but I always end up walking while trying to suck in air.

This time I decided enough is enough.  There is a lot of pressure in the blog world to run races.  Not direct pressure, and maybe it’s all in my head.  But so many people are getting these lovely shiny medals, and it makes you want one to!  And I’ve tried. 

But even during my half marathon, I wasn’t breathing right.  I hadn’t trained enough.  And I walked.  A lot.

The other day after my wheezy 3 miler, I went back to the drawing board.  I called the doctor, and together we are working on the best treatment for my asthma.  I revamped my training plan using the Couch to 5k program, with a goal of running the 3 mile Beachpalooza in New York at the end of August. 

I can’t tell you how excited I am to run this obstacle course.  The hubs is running it with me, and it’s super close to his mom’s house, so we can just roll out of bed and head to the beach. 

After this race, I will be starting the Bridge to 10k program, with a goal of running the “Run the Bridge 10k” that crosses the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philly.  I’ve wanted to run this race for a long time, and I think it will be a great time! 

After this though… my race season for 2011 will be over.  Yes, my longest race for 2011 will be 6.2 miles, which seems to be a blog travesty!  But this brings me back to my original point…

We don’t always have to be over achievers!  Running marathons and half marathons and ironmans is great.  If you can do it, do it.  But if you can’t, there’s nothing wrong with scaling back.  I’m excited to “start over,” and hope that ultimately it will make me faster and stronger.  And maybe next year I’ll get a pretty medal  

If anyone else is in the same boat, I strongly recommend the Couch to 5k program.  I’ve used it before, and it just works for me!  There’s even an iPhone app that tells you when to run and when to walk.  It’s the best.

Do you have asthma?  How has it affected your running?  Have you ever had to “start over” with your running?