challenging myself
It’s taken a while for it all to finally sink in, but I get it now. I understand why I’ve been feeling horrible for eight weeks. ALLERGIES. I can see why all the different medications I tried helped some but never really got rid of all my symptoms. ALLERGIES. I get why my symptoms changed over time, like I was going from one cold to another to another. ALLERGIES. What can I say? It sucks big time, but at least I understand what’s happening now.
I can choose to sit inside and (unsuccessfully) hide from the pollen, and let the springtime pass me by. Let months of warm weather go unmet. Let weeks and weeks of training time for my half in July go un-trained. Or I can control the symptoms as well as possible and get out there and meet spring head-on.
When I write it like that option B sounds like the obvious answer, doesn’t it? It’s not quite as easy as all that, but it IS the answer I’m choosing. I miss old, active me. Ironically, inactive me is a few pounds lighter, which I’m liking, but I miss moving. Feeling strong. Knowing that I can walk faster than you 
I’m not really better – I won’t be until spring is done pouring forth its joy – but I don’t want to wait any longer.
Today I got a break and I took it. It rained quite steadily all morning. My head hadn’t felt that clear in months! So I walked to school in the rain. It was GLORIOUS! Despite the soaked clothing and ruined hair. It felt wonderful to be able to breathe deeply and actually SMELL again! And it felt wonderful to MOVE.
Now, alas, it is done raining. I can literally feel my head filling up again. But it was very, very nice while it lasted
I’m issuing myself a challenge. Every day in April I will walk at least 30 minutes. Rain or shine. Pollen or no. Feeling like running or feeling like I’ve been run over. By the end of April I figure the worst of the pollen will be behind me, right? RIGHT?? Then I can begin to train in earnest for my half. Until then, thirty minutes a day will help me build a base. More importantly, it will help me re-form an old habit and remind me that this is easy, fun, and so very necessary to the rest of my day.
You realize today doesn’t count toward the April goal right?
Yes, I knew that! But doing an *April plus 1* challenge didn’t have quite the same excitement to it! Also, I decided on this challenge AFTER I walked today. Counting today would be like adding things to your to-do list that you’ve already done, just so you can have items to cross off and make you feel like you’ve accomplished something!
what you don’t do that? i always add/mark through in hind sight.
Thanks for commenting on my blog. Have you tried the Coconut-Curried Lentils from Supermarket Vegan? I have really enjoyed it. BTW I have the Donna Klein Gluten-free Veggie one. Using vegan and vegetarian recipes is still all new to me but I’m learning.
I HAVE! Actually, I was going to recommend that recipe in my comment, but figured you’d find it eventually. I’m actually gearing up to do a few recipe reviews from Supermarket Vegan here on my blog. Klein’s Mediterranean Vegan and Vegan Italiano are also very dog-eared in our house. What I love is that they are REAL foods and ingredients – very little specialty stuff and no fake meats, cheeses, etc. In fact, her recipes rarely even call for tofu, which I really appreciate as one of my kids is sensitive to too much soy.
Thanks for stopping by!
Go, Karena! You can do it!
you go girl!! You can kick those allergies in the butt!! Have you ever tried a neti pot? They work wonders for me! Allergies really suck (I know from first hand experience) but it’s best not to let them get the best of you!! {preaching to the choir, of course!}
Would love to join you in that challenge! I’ve let the pollen get to me this year also.
You’re very welcome to join me!
I should know better than set a time limit. I walked 17 minutes yesterday. Maybe I should just challenge myself to move purposely every day