Have you seen my knees?

I know this is a silly question but recently I have lost my knees. I am getting ready to do the Summer Games 5k again and my knees and lungs are so mad at me. Sometimes I wonder if it is worth it. My knees swell up like cantaloupes and seem to just blend in with the rest of my leg. I sometimes wonder if the pain is worth it too. I try so hard to prepare for any 5k I do. And I marvel at the people that just show up with no training and finish way before me.
Last year my goal was to just run the whole thing without stopping and I was actually able to do it.
I have also been blessed with the lungs of a sixty year old smoker. I realized I had asthma when I was about 9 or 10. It has now turned into one of the hardest things I battle. It makes all the enjoyable things that people like to do like camping, exercise, playing in the snow, being in the mountains and sitting by a warm campfire miserable for me. Did I mention, getting near animals puts me in an instant asthma attack. Seriously, I have not been in any of my siblings houses who have animals for years. Sadly, the 2 children I gave birth to also have it. Not bad thankfully! (lets pray it stays that way) See, your not feeling so bad about yourself right now huh? I'm glad I can boost your self esteem J/K. My brother Jon (the chiropractor) has promised me he can heal my asthma and allergies. Praise the Lord if he can!
I have learned to manage it as depressing as it can be at times. It has been hard and sad to miss out on things not to mention embarrassing. (I hate asking people if they have animals in their houses before I come over.) But it is what it is. It could always be worse or be something else right?
Wish me luck on this upcoming run, Victor will be doing it with me but will be finishing way before me. Instead of setting the "run the whole thing goal" I am going to set the "just finish goal."