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@Martian5 Happy Birthday! Nope!

One of the tips I received when my quit was new was to 'welcome the crave'. Wish I could find those words to share with you. The idea is - every time we hit a crave, it's an opportunity to beat it and for the quit to get stronger. Once I understood that, I went out looking for the things that triggered an urge to smoke. This allowed me to tackle the crave on my terms i.e. I was prepared rather than it creeping up on me unawares. Then I would mentally play a game of beating it with a hammer and shouting 'die, crave, die'. I stood with co-workers as they smoked, sat on the bench outside the library where I normally smoked, went outside the house after dinner, etc. Doing this over and over again also helped prepare me for those occasional triggers that hit me unawares - I had a response I had practiced many times. Everyone has their own way. Lighting a cigarette will not cause the flat tire (or any situation) to improve. We just need to learn to do these things without smoking.

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The marathon training was going so well with increasingly longer long runs on the weekend - was up to 1/2 marathon distance - and then, a couple of weeks ago, couldn't complete the long run because of right knee pain. No runs since then and letting it heal and will start over again. A bit frustrating to have to sit and wait but no sense hurting it again ... wish I knew what's causing it though.

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Nope! @Cbdave - good to see you here.

Doing well, Lilly. Awesome.

Hope you feel better soon, Dave. Smoking is truly the gift that keeps on giving. As much as we like to think that our body has recovered, some damage is probably longer lasting than we realize. I keep wondering if we could successfully quit now then what kept us from quitting earlier. Hope to see you posting here soon.

Thanks so much, everyone! Didn't do much celebration really. Just waiting for the knee to heal enough so I can resume training for marathon (which is a BIG deal for someone who smoked almost 40yrs). The seat and the ship look attractive :). Coming, coming ... I've received help from others before me and am happy to pay it forward. Us quitters are the only ones who truly understand what others are going through. Thanks again, everyone!

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Hey Linda, hang in there. It's a difficult 2 days for sure. I think you did great posting here.

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Congratulations, Dave!

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My life, Awesome job for hanging in there. You're beating it. Also, it's great that you posted here rather than giving in. These moments will come as you hit the occasional triggers. We've smoked for years and it will keep trying to find a way back in. You're doing awesome. Stay strong and share your pics from Spain. P.S. Isn't it nice to be able to climb the steep streets without running out of breath?

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TobacNo, you're doing awesome. At day 3, you've gone through ALL your daily triggers and beaten them down 3 times already. Things like the morning coffee and smoke, get in car and smoke, lunch smoke, etc etc. You will still need to face them down a few times plus also face the occasional triggers like travel, bad news, etc. Just keep doing what you're doing. Come here often, pledge NOPE and promise to post an SOS if you feel a crave you need help with. SOS really works and has saved many a quit.

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Great to hear you didn't give in. Do post back and let us know how you're doing. Stay strong.