is it all in my head?

Question
hi John,
im an intermediate student in NZ, i dont go to a club, but i run everyday before school. there are some weird things have happened over the few days. we hav training at our school for our road race, and some teachers saying that asthmatics arent as good as non asthmatics. it kind of connected, because i used to always come either 2nd or 3rd, and never first in long distance in primary. then i got my friends onto that topic, and they practically repeated what the teachers had said, and that asthmatics get to a certain point, where they stop improving. they dont know that im asthmatic, cos i barely use the medicine. since there is heaps more people competing this year, im having doubts about myself. at practices i cant keep my pace, and i end up going faster than my pace, and crashing and burning in the end. i told myself its a mental problem, but im beginning to doubt that too. i keep on getting distracted, and a few days ago i hurt my shin badly, so i took some days off. then i felt too tired to run, but i still went anyway. that cycle is repeating itself again and again, and i cant get it outta my head.
well, is it a mental problem, all is it what usually happens to asthmatics?(sorry if im wasting ur time with my rather stupid questions)
thanks alot!
(\ /)Alana
(. .)
C(")(")

Answer
Hi Alana
Your not wasting my time and it is not a mental problem.There is all levels of of asthmatics and many who compete at a very high level such as Paula Radcliffe who holds the world record in the marathon from england 2:15 and is a friend who trains here in albuquerque NM where i live.Send her a note about your situation.www.paularadcliffe.com
Your situation based on your info is just learning how to pace your self for the hole distance which just takes practice and not going out to hard.Also don't listen to anybody about your asthma since they are not qualified to comment.If you have more questions Alana just get in touch with me.By the way you can watch Paula run the world championship marathon in august at the world champs  in berlin germany.Check your listings for time.ENJOY

All the very best Alana

John