Running Tips?

mrboboman1

Seems like when i go out on a run i can run a few hundred feet and then it feels like my chest is bouncing up and down inside of me. I feel like im going to pass out. I don't have a very sever case of Asthma but i guess its still bad enough that i can't run. Its funny because i can bike 10 miles easy without having a problem but when it comes to running a mile or just around the block i think im going to die. Is their any tips for people who run with Asthma? I was hopping that every time i went to the gym i would go on the treadmill and run about a mile a day to warm up and then go on to the weights and that would help my body with my running. But somehow i don't suffer like i normally do on the treadmill. Its just physically running on pavement that is so hard for me. Please feel free to add me as a friend on here. We can share tips on staying healthy together.

Thanks, Mark

HornedFrogPride

Hi Mark, I've had asthma for the past 35 years. I struggled with it a lot when I was younger. However, with a lot of education, experience, good treatment from a doctor, and proper medication, I'm now a serious marathoner (run shorter races too but marathons are my running passion). I would recommend some of Jeff Galloway's methods of running for your consideration (run-walk-run). Jeff wrote a great book called Galloway's Book on Running that you can find at the library or any major bookstore. It's now in its second edition. I still use this method of running and it helps a lot, gives your lungs a break. Also gives your legs a break. I'm sensitive to cold weather and am allergic to mold & pollen so have to move it to the treadmill or X-train if the pollen count is sky-high (ragweed season). Sometimes asthma management is a matter of finding the right doctor/specialist and medication and that takes time. Also, symptom management is difficult to learn. I use a peak flow meter (not all the time but when needed). It's also possible you may have exercise-induced bronchospams-your doc can tell you if you describe your symptoms. That's kind of a different branch of the asthma "tree" and is treated differently. There are days my lungs tell me I can't run, there are days I just know I have to take more breaks, sometimes I have to shorten the runs. Also, there are breathing techniques that can help you manage your asthma better when running (there is a 3:2 technique that Runners' World just wrote about and they uploaded a video to go with it. I've benefitted from Tai Chi also (just learning deeper diaphragmatic breathing). That's given me more energy on the trails. Give a couple of these ideas a try, hope it helps. Good luck! -Jeremy