Holistic Medicine

Yesterday I decided to take a chance and go see my mom's acupuncturist. My mom goes for help while she has her chemo. Dr. Wang gets rid of any nausia and keeps her healthy (as can be). I took her there a couple weeks ago and talked to the doctor briefly. She said she could help me with my asthma. So I figured I might as well try. If it helps me run better and makes me healthier, I'm willing to try it.
I was a little apprehensive at first, but I got over the fact that needles were going to be stuck all over my body. It actually wasn't that bad. The nice thing about Dr Wang is that she's not just an acupuncturist. She actually has a PHD and then she studied acupuncture. So I feel very comfortable with her.
It was kind of weird at first seeing the needles protruding from different areas on my body, but I got over it quickly and took a nap. I don't feel immediate results, but I did feel very relaxed. She gave me some herbal tea to drink over the next 6 days. They are the strangest looking herbs, but they have a nice smell. I'm supposed to let them soak in water for 1hr and then boil for 5 min. Interesting.
I told her that I'm running the half marathon in December and so she has this goal to make me better or close to, within the next 21 weeks. Though that does mean I get to be a regular patient - like 4 times a week. But if it helps, then so be it. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Testing The Waters

So I took Zoe out for a walk today. Not a super long one, but it was a good 30 min walk. I really need to do it earlier in the day, because at noon, it's just too darn hot! But we did it anyway. While walking, I got the urge to see if I could run without any ankle problems. It actually wasn't so bad. I didn't feel any tightness or soreness or anything to make me think I couldn't start running again. It was a nice feeling. Granted my lungs need work. I didn't bring my inhaler since I wasn't planning on running, but I survived.

I have to start taking the steroid inhaler again on a regular basis if I expect to run. I hate having this exercise-induced asthma. It really holds me back from doing what I want to do. And I never really found the inhalers to work that much. I'm thinking of trying out my mom's acupuncturist. Apparently she helps with asthma and I'm willing to give it a try. If she could make it so that I can run longer than 3 minutes without becoming out of breathe, I think I'd be in heaven. I can't remember what it's like to run without breathing problems. I've had this issue since I was 17 and I've felt that all it's done is held me back from any type of sport. I was able to survive soccer because it's stop and go running, but for me to run another half marathon, I'd like it to be a little easier. I'm very proud of myself that I was able to run a half in the 3.5 hours, and with 2 asthma attacks (mostly caused by emotions running high); but I would love to be able to do it in less than 3 or even 3 hours would be awesome! So we'll see.

Anyways, I have the Team Challenge Mentor meeting tonight. I still have to fill out the application, but I'm excited to find out more about the position and what it entails. Being that I'm not a "runner" per se, nor am I a full-fledged "walker," I'm hoping there's a happy medium. Maybe to be the "wunner" mentor. Ha! We'll see.

I should probably go hop in the shower now. I feel so diiirty. :) But good after a nice walk/run this afternoon. I know Zoe is completely pooped out and that's a good sign. She's got so much energy that she benefits from my training sessions too. She's a happy pooch.