Guest Blogger: Carol writes about Exertion Asthma

Meet Carol Green Kjar. (We call her "The Other Carol Green") She writes: "I have a long-time husband and an empty nest. I worked as a natural resources technical writer/editor for a government agency while my already retired husband traveled the U.S. without me. I got tired of that pretty quick so I took early retirement and joined him. We travel a lot so he can go bicycling and hiking.  I like to stay in camp to read, write, and cook. When I'm home, I love to sew and quilt."
Carol blogs as C.S. Kjar and writes clean fiction.  Find her book, The Treasure of Adonis, HERE.

 

 

Exertion Asthma

I admire people who can run and feel the air rush by their faces as they move along so smoothly and fast.  I admire people who are in great shape and can do anything they want.  I envy them all.  Why?  Because I can’t.

I have a condition called exertion asthma.  It’s a lot like chronic asthma except it only comes on during physical exertion or strenuous activities.  The airways in the lungs narrow from inflammation and don’t hold as much air as exercise demands.  Breathing is wheezy and hard, the chest is tight which prevents breathing deeply, and fatigue comes fast because the muscles aren’t getting the oxygen they need.  I’ve learned to live with my exertion asthma and life is good.

 

As I got older, more symptoms set in.  Along with tightness in my chest, my arms feel funny, tingly, or numb.  I got scared it was my heart so I insisted my doctor order a stress test for me.  My test lasted for about 5 minutes because by then I could hardly breathe at all.  The doctor pulled me off the treadmill and said my heart was fine.  It was my lungs that were bad.  I was so relieved that my heart was good that I didn’t care about the asthma.

 

For me, the asthma symptoms start a few minutes after strenuous effort.   Even fast walking can trigger it.  When I stop, my breathing returns to normal in a few minutes so the symptoms disappear quickly.  I had an inhaler for a while and it helped a little, but not enough to keep using it.  I decided the warnings about the side effects outweighed the benefits of using it so I stopped.

 

When I do something strenuous like going up stairs, up a hill, or walking at a fast pace, I have to stop to catch my breath fairly often.  I don’t mind it.  I have time to enjoy the scenery which is really what I’m outside to see.  If I go too fast for too long, I suck air like a jet engine.   I’ve sucked in my share of bugs.  They’re nasty tasting without being dipped in chocolate.  I’ve choked on them quite often so it’s a good idea to take water along.

 

My asthma was a handicap only once that I remember.  I was doing field work with the Forest Service and we were two ridges away from our truck when a thunderstorm blew in.  We got a radio call that there was a tornado warning and to get out there as fast as we could.  Everyone set off for the truck at a fast jog.  We went down one ridge up another, down and up again.  I was lagging behind, but could hardly breathe by the time I got to the truck.  Everyone kept asking me if I was okay.  No, I wasn’t, but I wasn’t going to be left behind to be struck by lightning or swept up in a tornado.

 

So someday, if you go running past a heavy breathing walker, please don’t laugh.  Don’t taunt.  Don’t pity.  It may be the best he or she can do.  Be thankful for your good lungs and take care of them so you have a life of easy breathing.

 

Get to know Carol Kjar better by visiting her blog or pick up a copy of The Treasure of Adonis on Amazon and Kindle.

 

Learn more about Asthma.

 

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Happy Running!

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Why did I write this book - The Hard Run?

 

Why did I write The Hard Run? Perhaps a better question is:  “For whom did I write The Hard Run?” Some might assume it was written for runners – after all, it is a book about running, right? Actually, The Hard Run is a book about pain and it is targeted at anyone who might need to better understand their relationship with pain.

A relationship with pain?  That might sound odd at first, but I believe we all have relationships with pain, just as we have relationships with food, money, clothing, and entertainment. To understand one’s relationship with pain, she must first understand that all pain is not equal;  therefore, our reactions to pain should not always be the same.

For instance, the section of the book titled, “When Pain Means STOP!” deals with those kinds of pain that should be stopped or avoided. Some people have a relationship with pain in which they feel ALL pain must be stopped or avoided.  They often miss out on great opportunities for growth. Others tend to ignore pain – ALWAYS – ignoring those things that are truly causing damage to themselves or others.

The section of the book titled, “When Pain Means DON’T  STOP!” examines those kinds of discomforts that are actually good. Enduring these creates growth and experience. As I have written in the book, I have learned that pain is more often friend than foe. However, it is a mistake to think that ALL pain should be endured.

The last section of the book, “When Pain Means PROCEED WITH CAUTION!” looks at the pains of life that just happen.  Many of them enhance our experiences.  Many of them are beyond our control.  Learning to appreciate the discomforts that are simply a part of life, like sore muscles after a fun physical exertion, or brief setbacks that help us appreciate days of ease and plenty, will increase one’s enjoyment of her mortal existence.

Do you have a healthy relationship with pain?  Do you avoid it at all costs or ignore warning signs that are meant to keep you safe? Can you think of times that pain brought a sweet smile to your face as you remember the joy that preceded it?

If you would like to learn more about the lessons I’ve learned about pain and discomfort through running, you can find the book on my AmazonPage, or obtain a signed copy through my Etsy shop.
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Happy Running!

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Tech support, passwords, and privacy! Oh, my!

I’ve been expanding my technical horizons and reaching out of my comfort zone this week. I’m attempting to design a website and it is challenging me a bit. I also upgraded my cell phone.  That was the real challenge. It’s a password thing.

When my husband returned home from work on Tuesday he found me in a state that he referred to as, “A gibbering idiot!”  And I was …

You see, I usually defer all telephone changes and upgrades to my tech guy – my eldest son. I had confessed to both hubby and son that I was afraid to activate my new phone.  I waited a day and attempted the activation.  My apprehension proved valid. 

The instructions said, “Call this number to activate your phone.” Okay, I did that. Something went wrong and eventually a live person came on the line.

“What is your password?” I gave her my password that I had recently changed because I could not remember the old one.  “That’s wrong.”

“But … that’s my password.”

“No, that’s your online account password. I need the other password.”

“What other password?” I was confused.

“The password for your account.”

“I just gave it to you!” Bother!

“I need the account owner’s password. Is he there?”

Of course he wasn’t there.  He was at work.

“Well, I can’t help you. I need to talk to the account owner.”

I informed her that the account owner set up the account fifteen years ago and that I make all the upgrade decisions, pay the bills, and otherwise manage the account. I left out the part about my tech guy.

“But you’re just the account manager. I can’t make any changes without speaking to the account owner.”

“Okay, well how CAN you help me?”

“I can tell you how to do it online. It’s really easy.”

Great.  Why didn’t she tell me that in the first place? She gave me the instructions and assured me again that it would be really easy. It wasn’t.

When I thought I had completed the activation, I discovered that I had merely turned off my existing phone.  I tried activating the new one – again.

Nothing.

I sent a Facebook message to my tech guy (because I had no phone!)

“I’m at work.  I can probably help you when I am free.”  Cool!  Now I was getting somewhere.

Later … “Okay, I’ve almost got it. You need to remove the SIM card from the old phone and put it in the new phone.”

“How do I do that?”

“There is an oval box on the side of the phone with a small pin hole in it.  Open that.”

There was no such box.  I know he thinks I’m afraid of technology – and I am – but there was no box!  He patiently explained where I would find the box.  It wasn’t there. I even watched the YouTube video that showed the box.  My phone had no such box!

My tech guy gave up.

I waited, becoming more frustrated and agitated as the hours passed. That’s when my hubby came home.

“Kevin, I hate change!  I hate it! Hate IT!” He kind of already knows that.  It’s the same reason that my waterski is 28 years-old and my life vest is following close behind.  It’s the reason I don’t move furniture around. I could go on, but that is a discussion for another post.  This post is about tech support, privacy, and passwords.

Hubby patiently got on his phone and called the provider.

“What is your password?”  He didn’t know his password. How would he know his password? It’s been 15 years!

“What are the last four digits of your SSN?” He gave him those numbers.

“What is your password?” Again with the password question!

“I can give you a hint …” The hint didn’t help.

“Can I change my password?”

“Sure!  What would you like it to be?”

Are you kidding me? I waited all day when I could have grabbed anyone with a man’s voice and had him make a call on his phone?

In the end, I have a new phone. I haven’t added all the apps I’m used to or put any music on it yet. I managed to upload a few random photos from the other phone and I have contact info from people I don’t even know. 

What I don’t have is the authority to make changes to my account with a phone call unless I have the account owner’s password! Guess who chose the password?  That’s right – I did! I feel SO much safer now.

Question: What changes do you struggle with because they don't prove as easy as promised?

Happy Running!

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Lunch at Capitol Cellars is a treat!

Capitol Cellars' Crème Brulee

I know it isn’t Food Friday nor does this post include a recipe, but I just had to give a quick report on my lunch today! Some of my besties and I have been planning a lunch date to Capitol Cellars in downtown Boise.  It was recently opened by friends from Parma and one of the servers is a former member of our cross country team.  Naturally we were curious about the new business, the menu, the atmosphere, etc.  We also wanted to cast our vote of support and say “Hey” to our running friend.

Capitol Cellars did not disappoint. I had the Parma Sandwich and shoestring French fries. It was delicious! The besties had the Prime Rib Sandwich and the Ways and Means (gourmet mac and cheese). They were also satisfied and satiated.

We couldn’t resist trying one of their decadent desserts.  We opted for the crème brulee.  I would drive back for only the crème brulee!

The service was arm and friendly, the food was excellent, and the atmosphere was cool and relaxed. I recommend a lunch date there in the near future.

Capitol Cellars is located at 110 S 5th St, Boise, ID 83702.  It’s downstairs!  If you go and your waitress is Lauren, tell her Running Granny Green sent you - you know, the lady that bakes the best cookies ever!

Happy Running!

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Time flies, but the grass doesn’t lie.

That grass was loooong!

I have a problem with time. It escapes me. Where did June go?  I wrote only four new blog posts in June. Four! My goal is four per week. Perhaps I was too busy to notice that things were changing. If it weren’t for these telltale signs I might not believe the month was over. The grass doesn't lie.

• The lettuce has gone to seed and the beets are ready to eat.
• Local farmers have begun combining grain.
• The robins have flown the nest.
• The cross country team is doing open runs late at night to beat the heat.
• I’m feeling a little pressure to get my relay team geared up for the GTR 2015.

Then there is the grass. Our lawn mower needed to go to the lawn mower hospital. It spent five weeks there. The grass didn’t forget about time. It grew, and grew, and grew! It was an eyesore, at least to those of us who usually keep it well-trimmed. Friends would comment, “Oh, it doesn’t look that bad!” They are nice friends, but unlike the grass, they lie.

It was with great pleasure that I mowed my lawn yesterday. It was hot outside, but the satisfaction I gained from seeing the long blades evenly trimmed was worth it. Funny, the absence of the lawn mower made my heart grow fonder.

Perhaps that is a condition of our mortal nature. We don’t appreciate some things until we have to go without them. Most days I dutifully mow, not out of a desire to mow, but rather out of a feeling of obligation. This time I had been anxiously awaiting the return of the mower. I hope I can retain that same desire and sense of satisfaction as the summer wears on – and it will wear on. All I have to do is watch the grass to know that time is flying by.  The grass doesn’t lie.

Happy Running!

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