Run, Lisa Run!

This past weekend I hit a milestone I don't believe I have reached since high school (or early college).  I ran .5 mile without having to walk.  Now that may not seem like a big deal to most people, and some may be thinking "whoopty-do, she ran a whole half mile" but for me, it is a BIG deal.

I have never been a strong runner.  I am told by my doctors that it is a result of having double pneumonia as a baby then multiple bouts of pneumonia as a child and adult.  Each time my lungs would get weaker and weaker.  I fully expect that to be what kills me someday (hopefully when I am in my 80's or 90's), and every time I get a full cold it progresses quickly into pneumonia.  (I also tend to blame the fact that my mom smoked like a chimney in the house throughout my entire childhood, but that is another LOOONG blog).  

I am also prone to sinus infections.  Those started when I moved back to Cincinnati after living in Morehead, KY for 6 years.  I get them multiple times every year, and at least once a year they include a fun attack of bronchitis.  In the past 3-4 years I have even needed an inhaler during those times.

Needless to say, respiratory infections/illnesses are the norm for me, which makes any activity involving extensive cardio work potentially problematic.

This year has been a little different.  I have yet to get a sinus infection that needed an antibiotic to cure it, and I haven't had more than a mildly stuffy nose and sinus headaches this season.  It could be because of the mild weather, combined with the fact that I have been doing Zumba anywhere from 2-5 times a week depending on what the kids have going on.

My next goal is to make it a full mile nonstop.  Now when I say run, I don't really count the speed.  I have no idea if I am running a 10 minute mile or a 14 minutes mile.  I know I am not sprinting, that's for sure.  I would call it more of a jog.  But it is getting the job done.  And though I may  not keep up with the marathon runners or the healthier people who do it all the time, I am happy with the progess I have made!

Maybe by this time next year I will be able to pull off a 5K in 30 minutes!