Jogging? My lungs feel like crap!

Samson_S

So does anyone here have asthma and are doing well with jogging, outside or on a tread mill? I've had asthma my entire life and avoided most physical activities because I could barely breath under a 1/4 of a mile. I resort to a fast paced walk, but will I ever get to a good jog?

js370

I remember that feeling of suffocation. I remember having to stop a couple of times the first time I went to the track, before finishing a mile. It took me a year or so to get up to 4 miles. Then almost another year to get up to 8 or more miles. The only reason I would stop was because of time and not my asthma. I was running every day on the weekdays. I felt that my lungs have gotten stronger and my asthma eventually got better. Learning how to breathe while running was key for me. Also, for some reason I was able to breathe better at a higher pace then a slow one. Go figure. To this day, I hardly ever get an asthma attack, maybe a handful of times a year and very minimal. This was in my own experience. I suppose it would depend on the severity, but for a while there I couldn't walk 20ft without feeling winded.
So, to answer your question, yes, it is very possible. I run for an hour every now and then, and I still do ok.

Samson_S

Thanks! so i have something to look forward too! I'll keep at it...and keep my inhaler damn close!

MyTime1985

Good luck!

flyingwrite

I started Couch to 5K about a month ago. The treadmill is way easier on my lungs than trying to run outside. I can't seem to catch it at all outside. I had asthma as a child. Pretty sure I've outgrown it but never attempted to run or push my lungs in any way. So far, so good. It seems that they are able to keep up with the program. And perhaps it's just the pollen holding me back outside. Good luck!

mdsjmom98

I don't have asthma, but I do have allergic reactions to certain colognes, perfumes etc...that has done some damage to my lungs. This morning when I went on a jog, (only around the block, mind you) I felt like I was suffocating. I was so motivated to maybe run a 5K next year, but at this rate, I won't even be able to continue making it around my block!!!

Samson_S

Allergies? I"ll keep that in mind...never considered seasonal allergies...

shaydon80

Have you tried to C25K?
It's a program where you run 3 times a week for 9 weeks (I think?) and you build up your stamina a little with each run. By week 9 you're running 30 mins straight. Also, you might want to try running a little slower. I've been running for about 6 months and if I try to go too fast I feel breathless so I slow down and that fixes me right up.

gogojodee

I have that feeling too. I've started and quit jogging/running so many times isn't not even funny. Just stop and pace yourself. You'll get there. The last couple of times (meaning, years that I've started and stopped) I have gone without my inhaler. Just be extra aware and you'll be fine. I feel (for me) that when I get those pains and just plow thru them, that's how *I* gain my endurance. That is just me. Good luck!

annhjk

Singulair has helped me a ton.

Samson_S

never heard of C25K...but definitely will look into it. I try to pace myself but find I"m not so good a physics..lol I think i'm going slower but form third person perspective ( my Fiancee) I'm not doing it right... I'll be giving it another go tomorrow...focusing on a steady slow pace...

Samson_S

Yeah I have a doc appt coming up for some precautions and seeing if she has anything preventative vs. using the inhaler each time i go to the track.

saragato

It's basically like anything else, you have to work to strengthen it up before you grind it hard. I've had asthma since I was a child and often had to keep my inhaler in my bag at school (I was supposed to leave it in the school's clinic, but like waiting 10+ minutes to have someone grab it was gonna do anything) because the stairs winded me and there were days in band class or ROTC that I'd need it just because we marched around a little.

I started walking, inside, a couple years ago and found my lungs burned terribly at first. The more I did it, the less it burned and now I can do that same walk without much more than maybe sore calves if I walked too fast. I can't jog or run due to a knee injury but I've noticed when I hit it really hard at the gym or outside, it takes a lot more to have me even considering touching my inhaler. But it takes time and just don't push yourself too hard. Let your lungs burn a little but don't let them get to a point where you can't catch your breath, they're on fire, and you're sucking on the inhaler like it's a fire hose.

ishallnotwant

c25k has been awesome for me. I am on week 7 and can run for 25 minutes at a time at this point. At the beginning of the year I literally had asthma attacks just walking on the treadmill at 3.5 for 25 minutes a couple of times.

willismack2

Everyone is different. But, as advised by my doctor I take a few puffs on the inhaler about 5 minutes before running.