August 16, 2005 at 4:43 AM

Relief! Release! On Thursday I was stricken with an asthmatic response to hot, humid, polluted air which was officially deemed “unhealthy.” The air quality remained unchanged for four days. Even my healthy friends had trouble breathing, and I just stayed indoors. Today was different. The weather was beautiful – sunny warm, and *low humidity* -- very unusual for this area (near Washington DC). I went out to the one place I missed the most: the gym. There I took my first step aerobics class since my near fatal car accident four years ago. I didn’t perform at the level I used to. I had to march along on the floor for a good part of the time, but I made it through the whole hour. Wow! A milestone for me! Now my legs ache in that old familiar way, and I love it. I’m feeling very tired, so I’ll go to bed now. Maybe I’ll even sleep well tonight.