Not my finest...

[Scout37]

First cold run, and it reminded me with a bang that I have asthma. Only managed to run for 25 minutes as a full blown attack was threatening and after gasping hopefully at my inhaler I realised that in a moment of stultifying stupidity I'd brought an empty one. Not good.

I'm not going to call it a fail though, there was no particular aim in mind today, I was just looking forward to running off the house selling/buying stress, so to run 25 minutes was better than not to have run at all. And if there's an upside, before the asthma hit it was my fastest time. Even my average pace was faster than my pre graduation runs, so not all doom and gloom. My times are trending faster, according to the apps, so I'll take the positives and just accept that if you can't breathe you can't run. My legs were doing great, but once that cold wind was in my face my breathing refused to play.

So. Going forwards, there are going to be many more cold days. Any suggestions for controlling astmha that is inevitably induced by cold weather? As always, any advice welcome. I did remember my steroid inhaler (Fostair) before the run. Might have to switch my Montelukast to mornings?? This won't make much sense to non astmhatics ...sorry.

Anyway, any run is better than no run, but I wish summer would come back, at least for a bit!

Happy running folks...

[Jools2020 Graduate]

I feel for you! My (mild) asthma is triggered by humidity and I just take my inhaler before I run. I don’t have to take preventative medication any more, just reliever.

Well done for the 25 minutes you did do! 👏👏👏👍

[Scout37 Graduate in reply to Jools2020]

I have brittle asthma, it's either not there at all or a flaming nightmare.

I was ok (ish) til I turned and the cold wind was in my face. After that it was horrible.

[girlsjustwannarun Graduate]

25 minutes is still great! Imagine seeing it as a fail before you started this journey? No advice for the asthma i’m afraid as luckily not a sufferer, just hope it doesn’t hinder you too much in the coming months 🤞🏼

[Scout37 Graduate in reply to girlsjustwannarun]

Cheers. Yeah, not a waste of time , just not what I'd hoped for!

I am a bit concerned about the colder weather though...

[MartinMX5 Graduate]

I sometimes use both the preventer and the reliever just before I go out. But mine is fairly mild. I think the main thing is that you stay safe to run another day: take it more slowly in windy conditions and make sure you have a good inhaler to hand.

[Scout37 Graduate in reply to MartinMX5]

Yep, definitely learnt my lesson about checking the inhaler level before I set off! Might take the Fostair with me too, it can act as an emergency save and is very effective for me.

I think I also need to learn that if astmha hits, it's ok to pause, use the inhaler, let it take effect and then finish the run. I'm still carrying the mentality of the initial programme that says you haven't completed a run if you have to pause for a minute or two! Need to ditch that way of thinking now. Had I had the Fostair inhaler and paused for a minute or two I'm pretty sure I could have done another 25 minutes.

[Magicfairy11]

I use my reliever around 10/15 minutes before I leave, and I’ve never needed to take it during a run since I started doing this after needing it on run 1. I do take one with me though of course. Cold is a trigger for me aswell. Maybe worth speaking to your asthma nurse at the drs x

Edit: I also take my steroid inhaler morning and evening as normal, but if I have a flare up (illness etc) I take it up to three times a day x

[Scout37 Graduate in reply to Magicfairy11]

Similar. Yes, will ask the astmha nurse for a phone appointment. I really don't want more steroids! Last winter I was hardly ever off the damn things. Summer has been wonderful, astmha free. But this morning was bad, and it's really wiped me. I posted on here when I got home, fed the dogs then fell asleep. Only just woken now because the Amazon delivery man knocked on the door!

[Jell6 Graduate]

asthma.org.uk/advice/trigge...

See if this gives you any ideas

[Scout37 Graduate in reply to Jell6]

Thanks!

Will have a read.

It must've taken it out of me, I've literally slept almost all day!

[Jell6 Graduate in reply to Scout37]

We should listen to our bodies more. If you're tired sleep, if you're hungry eat.

The weather popped in an autumnal day for us, just a hint of what's coming soon 🍂🌬🍂

[SammiN3 Graduate in reply to Jell6]

Thank you! I've just read and this is advice that I've been given. Great to see it's official advice, will give me more confidence to give it a go now.

[SammiN3 Graduate]

I've found these past few weeks really tricky with my asthma... the humidity, the wind, the damp and now the chill in the air. It's not been fun!

I've been recommended to run with a light scarf/ covering around your mouth and nose when it's cold, apparently it warms the air so it's not as much of a shock to your lungs as you breath. I've not tried it yet but I'm going to give it a go when it gets cooler. I guess it'll take a while to get the right one though or I'll get the face mask problems of making my asthma worse 🙈

Rest, I'm always exhausted after.

[Scout37 Graduate in reply to SammiN3]

I'm also concerned about making breathing difficult with a scarf, but it's worth a go.

And I'm still exhausted after a 4 hour sleep! Thank heavens tomorrow is a non running day.

[SammiN3 Graduate in reply to Scout37]

I hope you feel better soon, take it easy and take more rest days if you need to.

[Scout37 Graduate in reply to SammiN3]

I think I'll be fine to run on Monday. Just tried walking the dogs wearing my lightweight sweatband over nose and mouth. Was ok for walking, not convinced I could run in it. Will search through my scarf drawer!

[Roxdog Graduate]

That was a good run, despite the asthma. I have no experience of asthma, but wish you good luck! Perhaps you could consult your gp about running in the cold sharp air of winter?

[Scout37 Graduate in reply to Roxdog]

Yes, I'm going to ring the surgery on Monday.

All I want to do today is sleep it off! But hey, wasn't the run I wanted but it waz still a run.

Thanks!