Lung club; lung disease runners?

[LungNRestless]

Call me insane but I’m about to attempt coach to 5k with severe lung disease, 48% lung function and 1.5 litre lung capacity.

*unsolicited medical advice not needed, I have a wonderful hospital team 😊*

I’ve trained myself to manage a fast walking pace without hypoxia rearing it’s head and now I’m a little intrigued to see if I could gently run. I’m never going to do marathons or ultras but If I could do a 5k that would be a monumental achievement. No pressure on myself to manage to run at all but just a little intrigued if I could find a way for my body to adapt.

There’s a charity whom are holding a running fundraising event, you can do from a 5k all the way up to an ultra. The charity have really helped my mental health during a very rough year post diagnosis and IF I can manage running (a big IF), that would be a goal event to join.

im 34 so I like to push my limits but not be reckless. All training will be done carefully and safely.

This isn’t even a goal, just a curiosity.

Just wondering if any other lung club members run? 😊

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Welcome to the forum! If your medical team are happy, we’re all happy for you and that’s all the medical advice you’ll get from us. We’re always reminding people that none of us are medical experts here and the best place to seek help is in real life. You’re already there.

Really good luck with the programme. There’s a guide to the here with lots of helpful hints and tips. Well worth a read. Most important is keeping it slow and steady at a pace where you can talk in full sentences without gasping. Most of us go too fast! It’s always ok to listen to your body and slow down, cut short or take extra rest if you need to. Those recovery days between runs are absolutely essential.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

Can’t wait to hear how you get on!

[LungNRestless in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you I will have a look through the hints & tips! Yes, i'm a bugger for trying to go too fast, or used to be. But as a previous physio tech/lung patient hybrid, i am all to aware of exercising safely and still being able to talk in full sentences Listening to your body, taking rest and recovery days are all very much in my routine and attitude anyway as theyve had to be for me to get where i am now, but i'm intrigued to dip my toe in with applying it all to running 😊 Thank you or your lovely support!

[Runnin-g Graduate]

I have no experience of lung disease so have no help in that regard, but I know how utterly amazing our bodies can be. Good luck, let us know how you get on 😊

[Outdoorsy19 Graduate]

Good on you for wanting to push your boundaries. I recognise that desire! My eldest son lived his whole life with severe lung disease and defied all medical expectations in what he was physically able to achieve within his own considerable limitations - including joining in team sport (always on his terms) and becoming a very accomplished skier ;just not at any altitude!). A slow running pace can be barely more strenuous than a speedy walk, and can actually be slower in time. It’s just that difference that in a run both feet are momentarily off the ground. So, I’d say start with THE slowest paced definition of running you can - and you’ll know to listen and respond to your body - it’ll be about being a tortoise, rather than a hare! And to make sure you cool down gently but thoroughly never just stopping after running, to allow your heart beat to return to normal whilst maintaining blood pressure. It might help you to have a watch/device to monitor your heart beat whilst running too. Always be prepared to repeat a session or even go back to an easier one. It doesn’t have always to be forward progress, it can be 2 steps forward, one back etc. Good luck and do keep us up to date on your progress.