Running & Asthma

emmanelson654

Hi, I've read through a few posts on here already about running and asthma but had a few questions I was hoping fellow asthmatics could help with. I just began "running" again - I'm doing the couch to 5K plan. I have regular asthma and EIA so I use my Xopenex inhaler before running. I ran week 1 today in moderate weather and still had problems. The first few runs were really tough but okay but then for runs 4 & 5 I broke them into 30 second segments (so I still ran the minute but with a break in between to catch my breath). And when I began running the full minute for runs 6-8 I coughed so much I ended up getting sick. My runs are also extremely slow - as in walkers can pass me so it shouldn't be exertion. I don't have this issue with soul cycling even though I push myself harder so I feel like I'm doing something wrong. I have a Drs appointment in 2 weeks but didn't want to stop running/run incorrectly for 2 weeks.

So if you guys wouldn't mind letting me know - Did it take you a lot longer to get through the couch to 5K when you had asthma? Have you found breathing in for 2/out for 2 is best or is there a better way to breathe during runs?
And I'm really interested in knowing - Are there any exercises besides running you found helped increase your endurance/ability to breathe while running?

Thanks so much for your advice, sorry for the lengthy post.

pomegranatecloud

My asthma only bothers me when running it’s very cold (running with my mouth covered helps) or my allergies are really bad.

Can you slow down even more? If not, I’d just hold off running until you go to the doctor. New runners always start out way too fast but think theyre going slow and then wonder why it’s hard to breath.

jld1975

I have asthma and I am currently in week 8 of couch25k- just got done running 28 minutes. I had several stops and starts with the program and wasn’t really able to do the program until I had spent several months working on walking, getting up to 7 miles without being winded. I also had to start taking my maintence meds (Qvar) regularly. I did talk to my doctor about all of this, and the Qvar was her main recommendation. I have been able to get through couch25k so far without repeating any days. I did have to take a week off when wildfire smoke was bad. I am still pretty out of breath and very slow. I am currently running just over 13 minute miles and I really can’t imagine doing that and being able to talk, like they say should be the case. If you feel like you have a good waking base already, it might be a good idea to just take it easy and walk until you talk to your doctor. Another option would be sticking with the first week until you see the doctor. It does get harder fast when the walking intervals come out. Good luck- I am sure you can do it (if I can get this far, anyone can!), but as you know, you have to be careful with asthma! FYI I am 42 and about 25lbs overweight.

emmanelson654

Thank you both so much for your advice.
@pomegranatecloud I can't slow down anymore without walking.
@jld1975 Congrats on running 28 minutes!! That's great, good luck with continuing your training! I'll try to continue walking on my "rest" days