Any runners with asthma?

[Chola]

Hi I am about to start week 1 run 1 at the weekend and wondered if anyone with asthma has managed to do this? My asthma is well controlled and I would hope to see an improvement in my fitness too. Any tips would be appreciated.

[earl-grey-sian Graduate]

Hello Chola

I have had quite bad asthma for many years and have been hospitalised severasl times over the last few years because of severe attacks, but I completed my graduation run on Sunday.

My advice would be:

If the air is cold breathe through a scarf/buff to warm the air a little.

Never run without an inhaler with you

Take a couple of puffs of Ventolin before starting

If you're really struggling be careful not to overuse the Ventolin (I ended up with 36 hours of tachycardia but doing that!)

I feel that my lungs are better than they've been for years and that it's my leg strength rather than my lungs that are holding me back.

Good luck

[PeaBea Graduate]

Welcome and well done on making the first steps. There are a number of people with asthma on this site and no doubt they will respond. I used to have asthma as a child and but not now. However, I do find it more difficult to get my breath when it is cold so use a buff (cylindrical tube that goes round your neck but you can also use it to cover your mouth so the cold air warms up a bit before hitting your lungs).

[JenR]

I used to do a lot of indoor rowing and started getting mild exercise induced asthma. My coach suggested that I start using a gadget that trains the "breathing in muscles" of the lungs. It is called a Powerbreathe - you basically breathe in through the gadget which provides resistance and therefore makes your "lung muscles" work harder, then when you breathe normally the resistance is not there and it feels easier. Might be worth having a look at - it helped me, but I was not badly affected. If you read the literature and speak to your doctor you may find that it is another way to help combat your asthma (there seems to be good evidence that it does help asthmatics and it is also used by top sportspeople to improve their lung capacity).

[slowtony]

You will be fine, just pace yourself (i.e don`t run too fast) and use your inhaler before a run and take it with you.

I have controlled asthma and copd and have been doing my runs on a treadmill as the cold air winds me almost instantly, the issues I have are when bad days or weeks crop up it throws me back but any moving is better than none eh.

keep at it slow and steady and you`ll be fine.

[bothylass]

Hi Chola

I have asthma and at times it hasn't been well controlled. At the beginning of the programme I was worried that my lungs couldn't cope with running and in weeks 1 and 2 I was very out of breath. Now in week 5 I find I can run for 8 mins without being too much out of breath.

So my tip is do like I did and get an asthma check up with the nurse to ensure your asthma is well controlled i.e. correct doseage of inhalers. Once you know it is controlled then you just need to follow the programme and let your body get fitter. Running outside is fine for me even in the snow!

I think having asthma has let me down in the past as it has put me off getting fit but now I have confidence in my abilities. Good luck.