I’m new here, does anyone else have asthma? How does it affect your running?

[Venus_]

Hi all, I’m 22 and I have mild asthma. It was bad when I was a child then absolutely fine until I got pregnant and couldn’t take my hay fever tablets. My awful hay fever triggered an asthma attack and now I have a reliever inhaler which I never really need to use unless I have bad allergies or if I’m in the cold. I did my first run in Sunday and I’m planning on doing my second one tonight. My first run was fine, a bit short of breath but not bad at all, but it was warm outside and I’m slightly worried about the cold air as that can often trigger asthma. It’s pretty cold out today.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations Venus on starting C25K with run 1 of week 1 and welcome to the forum, just take all the runs slowly, no need to hurry, it is not a race, you can repeat any runs or week's if you wish, take a few extra days off running as well, good luck for your running journey with C25K. 😊 🏃

[Beachcomber66 Graduate]

Hi Venus. I am 67 and have mild asthma. I am supposed to take a preventer daily and I carry a reliever. In practice I only take the meds if I have a chest cold or on the rare occasions I have a problem with my breathing which can occur if there are particular allergens in the air. I am pleased to be able to say that running, if anything, has helped. My evidence for that it is a slight improvement in average peak flow. I was prepared for the winter to be a problem, but nothing happened! I did run with a neck gaitor pulled up over my mouth on a few occasions, but not sure that it was strictly necessary. As you know symptoms and causes vary from patient to patient but it is certainly not inevitable that you will have problems😊

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5... and includes advice on pacing, which will be critical for you.

Enjoy your journey

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Welcome. My daughter has asthma and completed the plan last autumn with me. It’s really helped her, she hasn’t taken her inhaler for months now, but still takes her morning and night one. Last asthma check her peak flow was “amazingly good” according to the asthma nurse. I also have a friend who runs ultras and marathons who carries inhalers but hasn’t used them for years. Hopefully you’ll see a big improvement too. Slow and steady is the key to this, and keeping a conversational pace will allow your body, including the lungs, to develop steadily. You can do this, enjoy your journey.

[backintime Graduate]

I have seasonal asthma from pollen. I am supposed to take anti histamines daily but I cannot function properly if I do, I fall asleep all over the place and feel like my brain is in a fog. I definitely couldn't run.

In this season I run on a treadmill and my inhaler is always on hand.

I have found an increase in my lung capacity with running which is one of the things that is keeping me going.

[MuddledGardener Graduate]

I have mild exercise-induced asthma, and use my reliever an hour before I run. When I first started the program, I didn’t know I had it, but I used to run an asthma clinic when I worked as a Practice Nurse, so knew what I had to do. Thankfully, the GP was sensible and gave me an inhaler straight away. 😊

I still find the first 5-10 minutes a little uncomfortable, but then my breathing settles down, and I manage quite well.