Running with asthma; and the kindness of strangers ☺🙏

[Anniemurph]

I was a bit over-ambitious today. I'm still not really recovered from my bad cold, but I set off for a 5k pootle thinking I'd take it steadily, and dose up on Ventolin before I started.

The run went well. Very well, in fact, so I carried on into town and ended up doing 6.5k at a reasonable pace. My breathing was fine, not a cough or splutter along the way - great!

Until I stopped. Goodness me. For the first time in a long while, I was seriously wondering if now was the moment to call an ambulance. Fortunately the Ventolin started to kick in and I was left sitting on a handy mounting block, wheezing, coughing, spluttering, dribbling and coughing up a lung, as you do - not attractive - when someone approached to check if I was okay. They were quite prepared to rush off and get their car and take me home, but I managed to convince them that I was fine, and I'd be better walking gently, and after many protestations they went on their way. How kind! I hope they've had a lovely day

I guess one of the reasons for posting this is that many of us suffer from asthma. I would say that generally mine is well under control and never bothers me. I thought I would be fine and I had taken precautions. The general rule is if you have a head cold, running shouldn't be a problem; if your cold is on your chest, leave it until it clears. This applies double if you're asthmatic, I think. Four hours later, I'm still wheezing and spluttering a bit.

I find it interesting that I had no problems while running, and I think that lulled me into a false sense of security - it was a good run so I pushed it a little, feeling good, but believe me, the end result was not worth it!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Gosh you.. that is very scary and thank goodness you were somewhere where folk were around. I hope you are beginning to feel easier now?

Very sound advice for everyone ...being prepared, being sensible and listening to our bodies..

Take care my friend xx

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks, Floss xxx

I really should know better by now! But it is a salutary lesson - just because you feel okay, stick to the plan because you might not be quite as okay as you think you are😂😂😂

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

These little acts of kindness so some way to restoring ones faith in humans! Glad you live to fight another day 👍

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to Jogunlikely]

Yes, lovely people And thank you, lesson learned for next time!

[DiscoRunner Graduate]

Poor you. Lesson learned - ease back in slowly & stick to a time limit. Hope you feel better soon x

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to DiscoRunner]

Yes, I really ought to know better by now. As you say, lesson learned - however good it feels, stick to the plan! x

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Oh no!

Hope you’re soon recovered.

Someone I Canicross with has asthma, we always joke that between us - my lungs and her legs - we could make one pretty decent runner.

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

😂😂😂

Yes, all is well now thanks.

That could be a new game, making up the best runner from amongst your group!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to Anniemurph]

Excellent 👍

[Decker]

Scary moment there Annie. Very happy it worked out well and you are safe and sound. Nice to hear that good people are still about too.

[JaneMacK]

Glad you are recovering- what a horrific experience! Have you been using your brown inhaler regularly as well as your ventolin?

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to JaneMacK]

Hi Jane, I have a purple inhaler - Seretide - which I take twice daily when I have a cold or feel a bit chesty, or if the weather is particularly cold. It takes a few days to kick in but I’ve been on this for a couple of weeks now so there’s not much else I can do at the moment except stick to my plan and not get carried away! I should really have known better 🙄

Thanks for the kind thoughts 😊

[LMS2110 Graduate]

Hi Anniemurph, I was about to say (as JaneMack) that to completely cope with the onset of an asthma attack whilst running, you should be using your brown inhaler (Becotide or similar) at the start of the day - as a preventative. The blue Ventolin-type are for using while an attack is actually happening!

Check the protocols with your general practice - the asthma nurses at our local surgery are really great helping out runners and other athletes. They’ll soon sort you out - they are generally very enthusiastic about folk doing their best to get and keep fit!

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Hellooo! Yes, I’m on a purple inhaler (Seretide) morning and night whenever I feel a bit chesty, so for the last couple of weeks basically! My practice nurses are brilliant and keep a good eye on me. In fact, one rang me up last month because I’d ordered a couple of extra inhalers. She wanted to check that all was well and that I wasn’t needing them more than usual. I wasn’t but the one in my car was out of date and the one in my running kit had been through the washing machine again 😬

At least two of my practice nurses are runners as well which is always a bonus 😁🏃🏻‍♀️

[JaneMacK in reply to Anniemurph]

Oh that’s great that you have a good asthma nurse- especially if she runs! Hope you are soon better and don’t have any more issues- I am sure your nurses will advise appropriately.

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to JaneMacK]

Thank you! I feel fine today, but won't run again for a few more days...