I have been smoking for about 11 years, it has been at least a pack a day habit. I am also married to a smoker, so I always figured I'd quit when he quit.

Well, In March of this year I decided to start running. I began the C25K program. I signed up for my first race (a 10k in Bear Lake) father's day weekend. I began my training and was advancing VERY well!!! I was surprised and THRILLED at how much I was enjoying running! But then I encountered a bit of a problem, I was having a hard time running (I just didn't have as much energy) if I smoked within an hour of the run. So I stopped smoking before I ran... but I was still having trouble getting past 3 miles!! So I realized that I had to make a choice... running or smoking... I chose running!!!  Today it has been exactly a month since I quit, and I am doing better then ever on my running! I don't even worry about smoking any more either. I can sit with other people while they smoke and it doesn't even bother me.  I was really surprised at how easily I was able to quit, I don't know if it was the added motivation of running, or if it was just time.... but either way, it's been GREAT!!!

I am now getting ready to start training for a half marathon in Las Vegas. The race will take place on Dec 7, and I want to be READY!!! I want to be able to run the entire race.