Life’s a Wheeze

Hey Fitbloggers! My name is Sara Roswell, but my friends (and the blog world) just call me Ros. I blog over at Life’s a Wheeze.

I have always struggled with asthma. When I was two I had my first attack, and have been having them ever since. As I made my way into college, my asthma started to get worse, to the point where I missed more class than I attended and never felt 100 percent. I was miserable and my grades and personal life were suffering. As a last-ditch effort to save me from a bed-ridden life, my doctor dubiously suggested I take up running. Running?! My whole life I was a swimmer, a sport that is supposed to be EASIER on asthmatics, and it never improved my asthma. In fact, I even had to quit the swim team because my asthma got so severe. So how on earth could running make a difference? How could I even make it through a run?I can’t do that. November of last year however, I decided I was tired of letting asthma control my life and decide what I can and cannot do. As a result I made the outrageous decision to sign up for my first half marathon. When I signed up, I’d never completed more than a full mile without whipping out my trusty inhaler and calling it quits!

I trained for 18 weeks for my half marathon, learning about all things running: what to wear (not cotton!), what to eat, how to fuel, how to pick the right shoes, how to train, how to stay inspired through the rough spots,and all kinds of ways to be healthy. I found, despite the challenges along the way, the more I learned about running, the more I wanted to learn and the more I wanted to run. It wasn’t always easy, and there were setbacks along the way. Although, in the end it was worth every minute. When I finished my first half marathon, I was completely overwhelmed with emotion. I did what I always thought was impossible: run thirteen point one long miles as asthmatic.

Since November I’ve run several 5ks, three half marathons, and discovered a huge passion for the sport of running and all the wonderful people who love it along with me. It has truly changed my life in the most amazing way. Not only has it literally saved my life by allowing me to breathe again, it has changed the way I view the world. Running gave me the confidence to believe in myself and the perseverance to make it through anything. Now I don’t let a little (okay sometimes a lot) of huffing and puffing get in my way.

On my blog, I discuss my adventures through the miles, with tips for runners and asthmatic runners mixed in. My blog is mostly geared towards those interested in running in general, but I do a few posts devoted to asthmatics every once in a while. I love to share all the things that I’ve learned and the adventures I’ve had, so that I can hopefully inspire others out there who, like me, didn’t think it was possible to one day call themselves a runner. Along with all my healthy living and running posts, I love talking about my friends, family, and my puppy and running buddy Champ. In addition to my blog, I’m also on twitter and facebook.

Keep on Breathing and Believing!