They are Brooks Adrenaline GTS, 11th edition, women’s size seven. They are red, white, and silvery-grey. They fit like a dream.

They were a freebie. I was working the registration table at a friend’s race this January, and the Brooks representative showed up with a bag of shoes for display. In teasing her about stealing shoes from the display (they’re only given one side, so either left or right but never a full pair or shoes), we found out that she gets sample pairs to give out. And the only size she had with her was mine.

Here’s the rub: I’ve got a nasty case of exercise-induced asthma. Though I’m physically fit, my lungs won’t let me run, swim, climb long flights of stairs or jump on a trampoline without use of my rescue inhaler. Even more obnoxious, I’m supposed to use an everyday inhaler to control my symptoms (which I don’t always do).

When diagnosing me two years ago, the asthma doctor told me it’s not impossible for me to run without an attack, but it would take the effort of building up my endurance.  Just because my body could handle it doesn’t mean my lungs can.  Some doctors tell you to avoid your triggers altogether, but mine isn’t pets or smoke.  It’s everyday activities I long to do.

But that’s all about to change. Last Monday the shoes arrived in Iowa, now that the weather’s nice enough to run outside.  I’ve been running three times since then.  Building my endurance is going to be a long process, but I’ve got two inhalers and a sweet pair of shoes to help me get there.