Running one mile for every year I’ve been smoke free.

Written January 10, 2021 — sharing today as a part of my ongoing health encouragement series

Today marks ten years to the day that I smoked my last cigarette. It started as a small pact between a couple of friends. We set the quit date. January 1 too cliche; we chose January 10, 2011, and created a plan. Then over the course of a month, I slowly phased the habit out of my life.

Support and accountability from friends were important. Gum occasionally helped. My stubborn nature certainly played a part, as did my need to achieve.

Most motivating? Believing I could be healthy.

I looked at pictures of healthy lungs just to remind myself of what I could have, even if I couldn’t see them. I was eager to know the feeling of proper deep breathing again. And I secretly envied athletes or just people who didn’t need to stop what they were doing to feed an addiction.

When I quit, I took up biking, yoga, and other activities. But a few years ago, I became serious about running and found a new appreciation for my lungs. I’m grateful for the vibrancy in my breaths.

I often breathe deep just to enjoy the simple feeling as my lungs fill to capacity.

To honor the day and the beauty of breath, I ran a mile for every year I’ve been smoke-free. Then to celebrate, my friend Kelly and I masked up and brunched where she surprised me with some post-run Schitt’s Creek swag. (I’m told I have David like mannerisms 😉).

The mask says Ew Covid, and I might add Ew Smoking.

Cheers to your health, friends.

← And this. Just because it makes me laugh 😆 🤦‍♀️

PS. Not sure there’s much hope for Keith Richards but if you’d like some encouragement to quit smoking, I’ve got your back (and lungs). Leave a comment below 👇