Where I live is getting hit with one heck of a cold spell. We are into day 7 of an extreme cold warning.

It’s really hard to be motivated when the air you breath hurts you and even hurts to just be outside. But I’ve let excuses get me to a spot I never want to return to again.

I decided to skip my long run on Sunday and do it Monday instead as my body was hurting from just returning to training and doing 2 weekend outdoor workouts back to back instead of just one.

I sort of regret it as Christmas Day is when the cold spell hit even worse then on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day was low key so after an early turkey dinner lunch to accommodate my sister in law’s 2pm shift for her nursing job, my boyfriend and I went home. I bundled myself and Ginny up and off we went.

My goal for my long run this week was 10k. At -40, I knew it may not be that long but thought I’d manage 8k. By 4K, I could tell that no matter how bundle we were, both Ginny and I were not going to make it past 6k. Even that 6th kilometre was painful for us.

So Tuesday, we bundled up again in another frigid day and did a short 4K to make my 10k goal.

I normally don’t run Tuesday’s but thought it would be a way to get in some kilometres since I couldn’t go past 5 or 6k in a run at -40 right now. Sure, I could use a treadmill, but I hate that treadmill even more than this cold weather.

Wednesday we managed a short walk with me wearing my 20lb weighted vest.

I was crosssing fingers and toes that by weekend hit and my training group was facing our outdoor workout, the weather would improve even if a little. Nope. We can sign up for either a Friday or Saturday workout but are allowed to do both if we feel up to it. I signed up for both and decided to see how it went. Friday’s evening one had us facing the coldest temperature we’ve seen yet at -45. It was not easy at all. I layered right.

But working out in multiple layers is not easy. It restricts you a lot! I normally wear runners with cleats on them for these workouts but at -40, I needed the warm boots. Running in heavy boots also adds to the workout. I actually had a (minor luckily) asthma attack midway through. I began to panic worrying I was going to have to stop or I was going to slow everyone down but then I just slowed myself down, stopped for a moment. I slowed my breathing down, dug out my inhaler, first puff, second puff. I could feel it help almost immediately. I waited a few moments and kept working at slowing down my breathing and regaining control. I did. With that, I had another decision to make. Stop or keep going. I wasn’t feeling that severe exhaustion or chest pain of a severe attack so I made the decision to push but go slowly. And I did! I had to be careful to not let breathing to get out of control so I worked at keeping my body working at the right level that I was pushing as hard as I can but without crossing the line of another attack.

I finished the workout.

So this morning came and I could slightly feel the affects of my asthma due to the cold air. The core temperature was extreme at -36 before even the windchill which made it feel like -40. But I had a tea, took emergency inhaler in morning and my daily one before I left. I had time to relax this morning with reading a book for my thesis. And by 9, I felt great.

I went to the workout. It was tough but more so because of the layers. I need them but they sure make it hard! But I was warm and I was healthy and I was strong. And I finished today’s workout too…without asthma attacks.

Asthma used to be an excuse of why I couldn’t do these things I do now. Now I push through and work with my doctor to make it work with me and not me work around it. I’ve learned when an attack means slow down or when it means stop. Working out has actually made the attacks less. That was the first one I’ve had since a a minor one due to humidity in the summer. I used to have them weekly, sometimes daily. Last night, it was the cold air that triggered it. I couldn’t have done anything to stop it. But I read the signals early instead of waiting until too late and treated it right away and followed my body signals to slow down.

I was told I was hardcore today. I’m anything but hardcore. I am mentally battling myself about being out there. I’m whining in my head when the hill sucks to run up with boots. But I have goals in my life now. One is not going back to the person who used to say “Oh sorry asthma attack. Have to stop now.” Or “nope sorry, can’t do that because my asthma may act up”. I am not hardcore, I am determined with goals.

Bring on 2018.