Why has my exercise-related wheeze gone?

[Kashara]

Just finished Week 8 and strolling home, and suddenly realised the wheeze I used to get after treadmill running at the gym (long before I tried C25k)has disappeared. I noticed it in the first week, but I slowed down my pace after that and it hasn’t come back, even when I walk up steep hills. I was fine this morning, running against a stiff sea breeze. So has the gradual increase in exercise and the slow running made my lungs work better? I’d be really interested if anyone knows the answer to this. Anyway, it’s an unexpected benefit!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

This is a quote from this post of mine about speed healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

In the first few weeks of C25k you will notice that your breathing and recovery times improve rapidly and maybe even that your muscles are becoming more defined and stronger. Those improvements are coming about by a gradual adaptation of your muscles, nerves, bones, heart, lungs, brain and all the other tissues in your incredible body. Your lungs take in oxygen more efficiently, then transfer it around more numerous blood vessels via the pumping of your more efficient heart. In time you become better at utilising fat and carbohydrates to produce energy for the rapid muscle contraction that propels you while running.

So in answer to your question, yes, just a small amount of regular exercise can have dramatic effects on the functioning of your whole body.

[Kashara Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks, that’s really good to know. The slow running has been a revelation.

[Fatman65]

Excercise induced wheeze is a pointer for asthma.

It may be worth seeing your GP for advice if it returns.

[Kashara Graduate in reply to Fatman65]

Yes, I agree. I did see my GP when I noticed it before, a year or so ago, and had it checked out and he couldn’t find anything at the time.

[Fatman65 in reply to Kashara]

That’s good news