Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Got out today for a 3 mile run around the neighborhood; temperatures around 32 degrees with 3 to 4 inches of snow on the ground and partly sunny skies. Cool, crisp and beautiful. Afterwords I had some coughing indicating that either I do have some sort of exercised induced asthma for cooler temps or I am still not completely over inflamed breathing passages.

While out running I crafted the following Haiku:
Out for my long run ~ Snowy roads, cool air and sun ~ This is so much Fun!

And with today's run I have exceeded over 500 miles on my current running shoes (soon to be retired)!

Another Asthmatic Attack
Though last week's outdoor run was fun, I immediately felt I was laboring more than what I would have expected. That night and subsequently I was dry coughing a lot and by Thursday I had to see the doctor. His sense was that my virus, earlier last month, may have triggered some kind of asthma **. The cold air did not help. So he prescribed these inhalers and I am no longer coughing and am on the mend. Needless to say, I am happy not be choking and hacking all over the place. This past year has been riddled with one thing after another. When am I going to completely 100%?

** by the way, asthma is nothing that exotic; in fact its very common. In fact, according to Wikipedia: Asthma is a very common chronic Disease 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. 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. 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.

First Run Outdoors in 2009
Today was the first day out on the road in 2009. Last Sunday was in the 50's so I was able to get outside and it was very nice. Today was much colder (low 30s) but I hooked up with Ellen Lowitt, a neighbor, for the first mile. That was quite a pleasant variation. I have found my recent runs with companions more fun than I would have expected. Kinda makes me think about all the missed opportunities, over the years, of not running with others. It's easy to make excuses about different schedules and not wanting to slow them down or vice versa. Nonetheless, I enjoy it now!