Running

It's been a long time since I've gone for a run. The last real "run" I went on was the third leg of a triathlon last September. I let myself recover for a few weeks, which turned into months. The more I didn't exercise, the worse my asthma got, until the idea of running again became anathema.

I don't know if it was my daily habit of eating Cadbury eggs, slices of cake, or gummy candies, but something told me to get back on my feet and go out for a jog. I warned myself a couple of days ahead of time that a run was on its way so I could build up some enthusiasm around it. I started drinking more water than usual. My fiancee was kind enough to blow up the exercise ball so I'd have something to do crunches on when I got back. The sun was shining - a rarity around here - so I knew that even the universe was in favor of this expedition.

After rummaging around for my exercise watch, I realized I hadn't switched the time on it since daylight savings began. I pulled out my "running shoes" - sneakers that I use only for running - and my Ironman sunglasses and began feeling like an athlete again. I was ready to roll.

Here is how I manage to do crazy things like triathlons and wedding planning: I bite off no more than I can chew and set small goals for myself. For instance, I decided that if I was able to run for one minute and walk the remaining 19 minutes, that my workout would be a success. And then I actually stick to that standard and pat myself on the back if the job was done.

But God was good to me on this particular day. I ran one minute, then two ... all the way to five! The asthma kicked in but two puffs of the inhaler showed it who's boss. I kept running and managed to run for 20 out of 40 minutes. A miracle, I tell you! The only thing that slowed me down were my pathetically weak quadriceps. They couldn't keep up with my asthmatic lungs.

I found myself really thanking God as I walked back to my house. What are the chances that an out-of-shape ex-runner like me with frequent asthma flare-ups could so easily get back on my feet? Is it youth? Is it my Pro-Air inhaler? Is it God? Maybe a combination of the three.

I don't expect to be able to do this when I'm 90, and I wouldn't expect to be able to run if I didn't have medication to keep my lungs open. But God has given us youth, and God has blessed scientists with the intelligence and resources to make something as life-saving as my inhaler. Hundreds of years ago there is no way I would have lived this long. But here I am, running under the early-spring sun, marveling at the effortless way my legs carry me along, and praising God that such a feat can be done.