My New Normal

So after a few weeks of using my new best friends, two inhalers who I'm inclined to name and decorate, I am on my way to feeling a bit better.

I have never been a good patient.  I'm not a good medicine taker.  And I hate depending on things.  So, all of those make me a lousy candidate for having asthma and even worse, issues with it.

While I was still just a few days into my new medication we had some horribly humid and sticky days. I had a hard time going to get the mail.  I promptly went back inside and hunkered down for the remainder of the day.

Lack of oxygen, or even a decrease from your normal intake, can make you tired.  So, I've learned to not feel guilty about having to nap a little.  It is my lungs healing and every nap I take, means I'm one step closer to running and feeling good.

Whenever I'm in a situation where the air isn't great, (lots of dust, pet allergens, etc), I can feel it right away and a tightness in my chest warns me to get out and do it quickly.  A while back I would have forged ahead and forced the issue.  Now, I back off.

I am wearing a mask that protects me from mold and other airborne irritants when I work.  It's uncomfortable and I look like a dork, but it's for my health.

I really want to talk to the people who make inhalers.  Why are they so ugly and why can't I chose the colors?  Why don't they attach to a key chain or have a belt clip?  I mean, these things are just ASKING to be lost.

Oh and I found out that if a pet chews on your inhaler and inhales the medicine, it can be fatal.  I didn't find that out via experience, I did some research online.

So, I have starting walking Roxy again.  We went out for the first time last week.  We did a few little mini pieces of a run.  I will say that my breathing felt easier and deeper than it ever has before.  So, while I'm frustrated I've missed some great training time, I'm optimistic.  Perhaps if I weren't so stubborn, I would have sought out a solution long ago and been in this year's Olympics.  Okay, I know that wasn't going to happen.  However, I do know that my inhalers are now part of my morning running routine, just as much as my shoes and Roxy are.

Asthma Infographic

So, because I'm really learning to accept that I have asthma and I will be living with it, I've been doing research.  It's what every OCD person does when something like this happens.  So, here is an infographic I found that I thought was interesting. 

Cory Vines Review

Everyone loves a multi tasker.  I was recently able to try out the Every Wear V Neck Tee by Cory Vines.  Cory Vines is a new athletic/lifestyle brand that looks as cute as it is functional.

The tee shirt I tried is a semi fitted v neck tee.  What makes the tee so wonderful is that it is made up of a cotton spandex blend.  The cotton make it soft and comfy and the spendex allows the tee to hold its shape.  At the end of the day, you don't look wrinkled and sloppy.

This tee goes wonderfully with a pair of jeans under a cardigan.  It also looks polished enough to wear to work with dress pants and a blazer. And, at the end of the day, change into your running pants and head out the door in this tee shirt.  It's wicking properties keep you dry and comfy while working out.

I love working in this tee.  I'm dry and cozy and the tee has all the technical properties that I love.  I've found myself wearing this tee when I know I have a really long day ahead of me and I need to be prepared for anything.

What I'm loving about Cory Vines is that their fashions are functional, durable and best of all, affordable.  

The Every Wear V Neck Tee is just $20.  I have the shirt in plum, but it comes in a variety of other colors.  Some are basic and some are fun so there is something for everyone.

If you want to get this tee, and take a look at all of their other great items, visit their site here:

http://www.coryvines.com

Where I've Been

First of all I'd like to say I'm so sorry for abandoning everyone this summer.  My posts have been sparse and short.  A few of you have checked in with me and I'm so thankful for that.  I wanted to let you know what I've been doing and metaphorically, where I'm headed.

So this summer, my company, The Joyful Organizer has had a LOT of really BIG jobs.  Many of our clients have been moving, relocating or just ready to tackle some big projects while the kids are out of school.  We put in a lot of really long days.  I don't mind working non stop when I'm making clients happy and helping making lives better.  Here is a small piece of a larger project we did.  This is an Ikea unit under a little girl's doll house.

We did sneak away for our annual camping trip to Sebago Lake.  It was amazing to sit by the lake and read and relax.  It is truly the one time of year I feel completely blissed out and ready for anything to come.  It is where I recharge my batteries for the rest of the year.

This is the view from my spot on the beach:)

Due to lack of time, I haven't had a chance to run as much as I like to during the summer.  However, I recently found out that what I thought was losing some fitness ability, was really my asthma acting up.  I thought i was being affected by the heat, dust and other environmental factors.  In reality, I should have been more in tune to my asthma and seen a doctor earlier.  I am now on the road to recovery and on a new medical routine.  Here's to some great fall runs!

I was also lucky enough to plan a wedding on Cape Cod.  The wedding went off without a hitch this past weekend.  Here are some pictures from the event and some visiting I did with a family pet.  

The wedding was an amazing reminder of how meaningful friends and family are and how important it is to celebrate love.  

On the same weekend, my husband and I celebrated our 11 year wedding anniversary!

This coming week, I'm going to start some mild resistance training, maybe walking with Roxy and celebrate my husband's 35th birthday!

Island Running

One of the things I feel most grateful and blessed for every single summer is running on Vinalhaven.  While I often don'e run a lot of miles or set speed records, I love the feeling of the salt water air breeze more than anything.

The sky out here is the bluest you've ever seen the scenery can't be matched.  It looks just like you've pictured every Maine coastal village to look, lobster boats in the harbor, blue green ocean, floating seaweed, and beach roses blooming everywhere.

I will say that I often stop and admire the view.  I love to stop and let Roxy take a quick dip in the ocean too.  We run down Main street and say hello to everyone we see.  Often, people want to ask about Roxy too.  Sometimes she wants to say hello and sometimes not so much :)

We also see people we know and stop and say hello.  I've been told by a few locals over the summer that they see me all the time and know that they will see "running girl" out in the island streets during the summer months.

I could run some of the backroad and really not see anyone.  However, I love seeing the busy harbor, the ferry coming in, and the hustle and bustle of Main Street in the morning.

I don't carry my phone out here, but I did snap some shots during another outing I took.  This is just a small sampling of the amazing sights and sounds and smells I see on my island runs.

Friendship

This isn't a running related post, it's about life and how line has been made so much richer in the past few years.  It's been enhanced through friendship.

A few years ago I realized that I was putting work first and some of my friendships were one sided.  Toxic relationships are worse than none at all.  I realized that true friendships need work.  Just like a successful marriage, you need to work at things every single day.

I love that texting and Facebook do allow me to send a quick note to friends just to tell them to have a great day or wonder how something in their lives went.  It's a great way to keep in touch without spending a lot of time.

I have also found that true friendships are amazing mood lifters.  It's no secret that sometimes the last thing you want to do is hang out with people and chat with them when you're feeling sweat pant wearing blue.  However, in those times it's the best thing you can do to call a friend, tell them you're down and talk it out.

I love that my friends are there for me, day and night and I know that we can talk about anything-work, life, money, love, events, and of course fashion.

I have been able to surround myself with people who love life and friendship as much as I do.  And I know it's not all wine glasses and parties, it's a life connection that you feel each and every time you talk.   I'm so blessed to have so many amazing people in my life.

Getting Back to It

After a few very busy weeks working with clients on moving projects, events and other things, I am finally regaining my footing in life.

It's been controlled chaos this week and I've been doing my best to get rested up again.  I've also been getting back to clients after a website glitch that backed up 200 emails over the past few months.

I'm lucky enough to be a part of a wedding in January and I ordered my bridesmaids dress this week.  Just for the record, I even went into a dress shop, without being pushed through the door :)

I've also been trying to get back to working out, more than just some short bike rides I've been doing in the wee hours of the morning or late at night.

With the heat, humidity, my asthma and fatigue, it hasn't been easy.  I've gotten a few runs in, with some short breaks to work on my breathing.

Roxy got a little out of practice and we're relearning our routine together.  It will take a little time I know.

It's frustrating having to put working out on the back burner from time to for work, but I know that there will be many winter days when I can spend hours at the "gym".

Life is all about balance and sometimes that gets a little off kilter.  However, knowing it, and making some small adjustments can make all the difference.