Hi everyone. After many false starts I have decided to try and lose some weight and get fitter.
After lockdown I am now over 5 stone overweight. I confess the first run was a total shock and my legs were aching. Hamstrings were super tight and ankles sore. Dragged myself out yesterday for run 2 which was still hard.
I'm looking for some advice with those that have Asthma. I was diagnosed in February and my meds aren't accurate yet. When I run I really struggle to get enough breath, even after using my blue inhaler before hand. My lungs usually loosen toward the end. I find it hard to breathe through my nose and out via my mouth, using mostly mouth breathing which I know is wrong.
Any advice from people who have asthma? Does it get easier and help your lungs? How do I push through. I literally look red faced and wheeze so loudly with a 30 second jog so I don't know how I will do week 2. Feel like I am dying. Dreading run 3. Help!!
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My first run I had to sit with my inhaler for 10 minutes afterwards to be able to breathe freely again. Now I’ve had 4 runs without needing my blue inhaler at all.
I’d recommend taking your preventer at least 30 minutes before running and for the first few weeks also taking the blue inhaler around 20 minutes beforehand (just one or two puffs).
Also always take this with you, just in case.
I personally breathe through my mouth mostly and find this leads to dry, burning sensation, which is a sensation I tend to associate with my asthma. To prevent this I take a small bottle of water with me and take tiny sips as I need.
Thank you for your advice. When you say preventer what colour inhaler? I have brown morning and night at the moment. I cannot get into my doctors due to covid to reassess and correct my meds. They said I may need a pink or purple inhaler?
I used the blue throughout the run and before hand. The burning sensation I get too. I think I worry because I don't want this added thing impending my progress but also because I was almost admitted to hospital just after Christmas as I didn't and still don't recognise when I'm having an attack.
I hope that it will ease and this program will help to strengthen my lungs 🙂
The water seems a good Idea. I think I will do that.
I currently use Fostair as my preventer - which is pink with a purple cap. It’s very much trial and error trying to find the perfect inhaler for you - I have tried around 7 different inhalers/combinations since diagnosis .
Your doctor will obviously be the best person to suggest/recommend an adequate inhaler for you. Have you discussed this program with your doctor?
I’ve lived with my asthma for 20 years so am pretty good at noticing the signs of an impending attack - the tight achy chest, persistent rattly cough and the feeling of not being able to take a full breath. This all just comes with time though, unfortunately.
If you have only recently been diagnosed it’s going to take some time to adjust to this. Just be very careful you don’t push yourself too far and always have a means of contacting someone with you. Asthma attacks are unpleasant and pretty scary - it’s reassuring to know you have a way to get help if you need it.
I have mild asthma and only use a blue inhaler. If the air quality is poor, I use it about 20 minutes before I leave the house.
I can’t breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth when I’m running! No way 😂 I don’t get enough air that way, so I just breathe naturally in and out through my mouth.
Absolutely right Jools - the app advice to breathe in through your nose, is actually at odds with what most experts say....and most runners tend to mouth breathe. Carry on doing it your way!👍🙂
Breathe what ever way is most comfortable for you. The app advice to breath in through the nose is at odds with what most runners do and also most advice. I breathe in and out with my mouth open - this is the easiest way to get plenty of oxygen down in to your lungs! Article here if you're interested.🙂
My son has very mild asthma. When he took up running he used to take a puff of his inhaler before setting off 'just in case' but now no longer does. He always carries his inhaler on a run though ( has not needed it yet - asthma has different triggers for different people, of course).
Best advice is probably just to slow down - speed is not important, especially at this early stage of the programme. It's about gradually building up that time running. Slow is the way to go...good luck!🙂
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Week 1 run 2 💜🏃🐶😊🌺🌲🍃💜
first run of week 2 done
Week 1, Run 1 - I done it!
