Comments for Running With Asthma http://taraschiro.wordpress.com Run With Exercise-Induced Asthma Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:13:41 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on I Am Running With Exercise Induced Asthma by taraschiro http://taraschiro.wordpress.com#comment-272 taraschiro Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:13:41 +0000 http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/?page_id=41#comment-272 Hi Amanda, How soon is your test? Lungs need time to adjust, especially with asthma. Getting stronger and faster is possible, but it takes a bit longer for those of us with asthma. Without knowing your time schedule, I would offer these generic suggestions: Make sure you are running on a regular basis to train. As in, all year long. I get many inquiries from people who are starting cross country, or track, or have an upcoming test, and they are trying to cram in a bunch of training in order to accomplish the short term goal. This is very stressful not only on the lungs, but the mind as well. The absolute best way to train is to be consistent and try to run 3-4 times per week. The second piece of advice is to go farther in your training runs than your test goal. In other words, if you want to run the 1.5 mile faster for the test, then in your practice runs you should be running 3 to 4 miles, ideally closer to 5. Runners' World magazine is an excellent resource for training exercises, you should look them up. But I would say that in a course of a week, you should do some easy runs and some interval training as well as a weekly longer run. The easy longer runs will build your endurance and the interval training will build your speed. Interval training is also known as speedwork. You have to practice going fast so that your body knows how to react. You should do this in intervals. Again, check Runners' World for the exact workout regimens for beginners. Also, get a stopwatch and pace yourself. The second half of your race should be faster than the first. This is called 'splits.' The stopwatch will tell you if you are starting out too fast and then conking out towards the end. Go a little slower at first, and then speed up in the second half. My last piece of advice would be to do cardio exercise all year long regardless of an upcoming test or running season. The reason is that your lungs need a strong foundation to rely on when it comes time to take a PT test or run a race. With asthma, you can't build a foundation and then sprint for the test at the same time. You need to run consistently all year long, and then when it comes time to take the test, your lungs will say sure! We can do that! And your mind will, too. And here is one more P.S. If you have it in your mind that you can't do this, you won't. Training your lungs in practice runs will also train your mind that you CAN do this. Your mind can easily short circuit your test, even if your body and lungs are ready for the challenge. The mind is powerful. Don't let it trip you up. Hi Amanda, How soon is your test? Lungs need time to adjust, especially with asthma. Getting stronger and faster is possible, but it takes a bit longer for those of us with asthma. Without knowing your time schedule, I would offer these generic suggestions: Make sure you are running on a regular basis to train. As in, all year long. I get many inquiries from people who are starting cross country, or track, or have an upcoming test, and they are trying to cram in a bunch of training in order to accomplish the short term goal. This is very stressful not only on the lungs, but the mind as well. The absolute best way to train is to be consistent and try to run 3-4 times per week. The second piece of advice is to go farther in your training runs than your test goal. In other words, if you want to run the 1.5 mile faster for the test, then in your practice runs you should be running 3 to 4 miles, ideally closer to 5. Runners’ World magazine is an excellent resource for training exercises, you should look them up. But I would say that in a course of a week, you should do some easy runs and some interval training as well as a weekly longer run. The easy longer runs will build your endurance and the interval training will build your speed. Interval training is also known as speedwork. You have to practice going fast so that your body knows how to react. You should do this in intervals. Again, check Runners’ World for the exact workout regimens for beginners. Also, get a stopwatch and pace yourself. The second half of your race should be faster than the first. This is called ’splits.’ The stopwatch will tell you if you are starting out too fast and then conking out towards the end. Go a little slower at first, and then speed up in the second half. My last piece of advice would be to do cardio exercise all year long regardless of an upcoming test or running season. The reason is that your lungs need a strong foundation to rely on when it comes time to take a PT test or run a race. With asthma, you can’t build a foundation and then sprint for the test at the same time. You need to run consistently all year long, and then when it comes time to take the test, your lungs will say sure! We can do that! And your mind will, too. And here is one more P.S. If you have it in your mind that you can’t do this, you won’t. Training your lungs in practice runs will also train your mind that you CAN do this. Your mind can easily short circuit your test, even if your body and lungs are ready for the challenge. The mind is powerful. Don’t let it trip you up.

]]> Comment on I Am Running With Exercise Induced Asthma by Amanda http://taraschiro.wordpress.com#comment-271 Amanda Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:58:57 +0000 http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/?page_id=41#comment-271 I have to take a PT test soon for the police department. I can lift, do all the required sittups and even run the 300 meter dash in the required time. But when I run the mile and a half I am always short the 15 minutes allowed by one lap due to my asthma. Are there any suggestions for me before I take the test again. I want to pass it this time!! Thanks I have to take a PT test soon for the police department. I can lift, do all the required sittups and even run the 300 meter dash in the required time. But when I run the mile and a half I am always short the 15 minutes allowed by one lap due to my asthma. Are there any suggestions for me before I take the test again. I want to pass it this time!! Thanks

]]> Comment on I Am Running With Exercise Induced Asthma by taraschiro http://taraschiro.wordpress.com#comment-267 taraschiro Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:46:15 +0000 http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/?page_id=41#comment-267 Hi Tom, thanks for writing. Yes, I see in my own journey that the more consistently I run, the stronger my lungs become; not just during exercise but also in my day to day activities. I am now off of all medications and getting stronger every day. The early information I read on the internet about long distance running being the worst exercise to choose and swimming being the best for those with EIA, is bunk. The longer I run, the better I feel. (After getting over the hump, of course.) Happy cycling! And, about my other web site, I changed some things on my contact page instead of having my web guy do it, and I seem to have screwed something up. I haven't gone back to fix it yet, so thank you for reminding me to do that! The pictures on your site are beautiful. Hi Tom, thanks for writing. Yes, I see in my own journey that the more consistently I run, the stronger my lungs become; not just during exercise but also in my day to day activities. I am now off of all medications and getting stronger every day. The early information I read on the internet about long distance running being the worst exercise to choose and swimming being the best for those with EIA, is bunk. The longer I run, the better I feel. (After getting over the hump, of course.) Happy cycling! And, about my other web site, I changed some things on my contact page instead of having my web guy do it, and I seem to have screwed something up. I haven’t gone back to fix it yet, so thank you for reminding me to do that! The pictures on your site are beautiful.

]]> Comment on Running with Asthma by taraschiro http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/running-with-asthma/#comment-266 taraschiro Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:38:59 +0000 http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/?p=17#comment-266 Hi jcmela: I was tested for allergies and I am not allergic to anything but thanks for the info. Maybe it will help some of my readers. Hi jcmela: I was tested for allergies and I am not allergic to anything but thanks for the info. Maybe it will help some of my readers.

]]> Comment on I Am Running With Exercise Induced Asthma by Tom Willett http://taraschiro.wordpress.com#comment-265 Tom Willett Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:44:05 +0000 http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/?page_id=41#comment-265 Tara thanks for taking the time to put together this blog. I can tell from the various comments that everyone here is trying to improve in some way. I was searching for info about people with side effects from taking Symbicort, other than the more likely to die while using that med effect which is well known. I'm a cyclist and would really like to be taking less asthma medicine or something different with less side effects. When I read through these comments I see also what is my own belief that it is probably better in the long run (NPI) to exercise more and take less medicine. There is good motivation here in your story about your own life experiences and also those who have commented on your blog. Keep up the good work! Enjoy life today! Tom PS I noticed in your other website the strange disclaimer form on the contact page is not linked to anything??? Tara thanks for taking the time to put together this blog. I can tell from the various comments that everyone here is trying to improve in some way. I was searching for info about people with side effects from taking Symbicort, other than the more likely to die while using that med effect which is well known. I’m a cyclist and would really like to be taking less asthma medicine or something different with less side effects. When I read through these comments I see also what is my own belief that it is probably better in the long run (NPI) to exercise more and take less medicine. There is good motivation here in your story about your own life experiences and also those who have commented on your blog.

Keep up the good work! Enjoy life today! Tom

PS I noticed in your other website the strange disclaimer form on the contact page is not linked to anything???

]]> Comment on Running with Asthma by J http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/running-with-asthma/#comment-259 J Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:08:44 +0000 http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/?p=17#comment-259 32 Male Allergy induced asthma. I live in the Pacific Northwest. (cold moist air) If your allergies affect your asthma as mine do, I strongly recommend you see an allergist and see about getting immuniotheropy. I've been getting allergy shots for 5 years now and i don't take OTC or perscription allergy drugs anymore. My allergies are minimal at best now. I still have EIA, but the allergy shots are amazing. I use my albuteral just before I run, and it makes the world of difference. I started running early 08 only a little, about 2 miles twice a week. Starting in 09 i gradually increased this. So far this year I've ran a 15k, 5k, 2 10K's, and 2 Half Marathons. I'm not a fast runner by any means but my last half Marathon I averaged an 8:44 mile pace. My asthma has improved as well. I don't let my asthma be an excuse not to run. I run about 20 miles a week now. 32 Male Allergy induced asthma. I live in the Pacific Northwest. (cold moist air) If your allergies affect your asthma as mine do, I strongly recommend you see an allergist and see about getting immuniotheropy. I’ve been getting allergy shots for 5 years now and i don’t take OTC or perscription allergy drugs anymore. My allergies are minimal at best now. I still have EIA, but the allergy shots are amazing. I use my albuteral just before I run, and it makes the world of difference. I started running early 08 only a little, about 2 miles twice a week. Starting in 09 i gradually increased this. So far this year I’ve ran a 15k, 5k, 2 10K’s, and 2 Half Marathons. I’m not a fast runner by any means but my last half Marathon I averaged an 8:44 mile pace. My asthma has improved as well. I don’t let my asthma be an excuse not to run. I run about 20 miles a week now.

]]> Comment on I Am Running With Exercise Induced Asthma by taraschiro http://taraschiro.wordpress.com#comment-245 taraschiro Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:58:35 +0000 http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/?page_id=41#comment-245 Hi and thank you for writing! Again, I'm not a Dr., but I will share with you my experience with this. First, looking back at my childhood, I can see that I had EIA and did not know it. My 'symptoms' began showing up in PE class in middle school. My dad had regular allergy induced asthma as a child and grew out of it in his teen years. While running the required 1/2 mile at the beginning of class, in the required timeframe, I "couldn't keep up" and thought I was just out of shape. Through high school, I wanted to be on the cross country team but when I practiced, I was immediately tired. Like, I had to stop and walk within the first two minutes of running. I walked and jogged the rest of the way but I mistakenly thought that I couldn't do it; I wasn't good enough. Interestingly enough, this is the same time frame when my parents began having problems with their marriage. I did not know it at the time, but, my 13 year old brain translated their problems into a self esteem issue for me: I'm not good enough. EIA is REAL. Please do not hear me as dismissing symptoms or that it is all in the head. But, what I am now exploring in my own story, is the possibility that my feelings of not being good enough shows up, to this day, in my running. Running is something I want to do, but it is a competitive sport that puts me in an arena where I am constantly comparing myself to other runners. Can I keep up? Can I do what my coach expects of me? Even this very second as I type, my lungs are tightening just thinking about it. I will be posting more on this topic in the near future so keep reading the posts. But, let me also answer a few questions for you. Encourage your daughter to run consistently all year long, not just during XC or track season. The reason is that once a person stops running for a few weeks or months, the body then needs to start over again with the new season. If she wants to be competitive, she needs to be consistent throughout the year. She needs to keep her base miles, her foundation, really strong so that when she begins a new season of competition she will have a steady base to use as a spring board for improvement. There is a lot of mental stress that will occur if she has not been running and then all of the sudden begins a new season with the expectation of doing better than last year. If you read through my posts, you will see that every year I participate in a 7 week 5K series. Each year I improve my PR by about 4 minutes or so but this is only because I run all year long. If I were to keep starting and stopping, I would not have this kind of improvement. If she is serious about wanting to run, and is having symptoms, you should take her to a pulmonary specialist who has patients who run. But, in my experience, two things have become the cornerstone for my improvement: consistency and mental strength. Self esteem, self image, value, self worth; these are all huge barriers to any sport if they are in the negative category. If your daughter keeps running, she will learn mental strength and mental toughness. Running has a way of putting these into perspective real quick. Again, thanks for writing and please keep reading as I work through this myself. Hi and thank you for writing! Again, I’m not a Dr., but I will share with you my experience with this. First, looking back at my childhood, I can see that I had EIA and did not know it. My ’symptoms’ began showing up in PE class in middle school. My dad had regular allergy induced asthma as a child and grew out of it in his teen years. While running the required 1/2 mile at the beginning of class, in the required timeframe, I “couldn’t keep up” and thought I was just out of shape. Through high school, I wanted to be on the cross country team but when I practiced, I was immediately tired. Like, I had to stop and walk within the first two minutes of running. I walked and jogged the rest of the way but I mistakenly thought that I couldn’t do it; I wasn’t good enough. Interestingly enough, this is the same time frame when my parents began having problems with their marriage. I did not know it at the time, but, my 13 year old brain translated their problems into a self esteem issue for me: I’m not good enough. EIA is REAL. Please do not hear me as dismissing symptoms or that it is all in the head. But, what I am now exploring in my own story, is the possibility that my feelings of not being good enough shows up, to this day, in my running. Running is something I want to do, but it is a competitive sport that puts me in an arena where I am constantly comparing myself to other runners. Can I keep up? Can I do what my coach expects of me? Even this very second as I type, my lungs are tightening just thinking about it. I will be posting more on this topic in the near future so keep reading the posts. But, let me also answer a few questions for you. Encourage your daughter to run consistently all year long, not just during XC or track season. The reason is that once a person stops running for a few weeks or months, the body then needs to start over again with the new season. If she wants to be competitive, she needs to be consistent throughout the year. She needs to keep her base miles, her foundation, really strong so that when she begins a new season of competition she will have a steady base to use as a spring board for improvement. There is a lot of mental stress that will occur if she has not been running and then all of the sudden begins a new season with the expectation of doing better than last year. If you read through my posts, you will see that every year I participate in a 7 week 5K series. Each year I improve my PR by about 4 minutes or so but this is only because I run all year long. If I were to keep starting and stopping, I would not have this kind of improvement. If she is serious about wanting to run, and is having symptoms, you should take her to a pulmonary specialist who has patients who run. But, in my experience, two things have become the cornerstone for my improvement: consistency and mental strength. Self esteem, self image, value, self worth; these are all huge barriers to any sport if they are in the negative category. If your daughter keeps running, she will learn mental strength and mental toughness. Running has a way of putting these into perspective real quick. Again, thanks for writing and please keep reading as I work through this myself.

]]> Comment on I Am Running With Exercise Induced Asthma by Monique http://taraschiro.wordpress.com#comment-236 Monique Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:32:56 +0000 http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/?page_id=41#comment-236 My daughter was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma last year after coughing for over 2 months during her first cross country season (11 y/o). She was placed on pulmicort and albuterol, the coughing stopped and I was told to wean off. I started her on the regimen again in the spring for track, she did well, weaned off again. Restarted again in July in prep. for XC. She has been struggling this season, no coughing, but complaints of chest tightness and SOB. She is also on Singulair. Everytime we go the pediatrician, they suggest a different steroid. Do you have any advice moving forward? Should she see a specialist? She does not have asthma when not running, occationally allergies will trigger her chest "tightness". My daughter was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma last year after coughing for over 2 months during her first cross country season (11 y/o). She was placed on pulmicort and albuterol, the coughing stopped and I was told to wean off. I started her on the regimen again in the spring for track, she did well, weaned off again. Restarted again in July in prep. for XC. She has been struggling this season, no coughing, but complaints of chest tightness and SOB. She is also on Singulair. Everytime we go the pediatrician, they suggest a different steroid. Do you have any advice moving forward? Should she see a specialist? She does not have asthma when not running, occationally allergies will trigger her chest “tightness”.

]]> Comment on Asthma Not Holding Me Back From Running by Melissa http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/asthma-not-holding-me-back-from-running/#comment-234 Melissa Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:43:24 +0000 http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/?p=69#comment-234 So glad to find other runners with asthma! I've had asthma my entire life, and I've been running for the past 10 years. My asthma falls into that 20% non-EIA category. My attacks are induced by infection: a cold, a sinus infection, bronchitis, whatever. What this means is when I'm healthy, I build miles with few problems; I take my maintenance meds and rarely need my rescue inhaler. Unfortunately, if I catch the merest cold, I may find myself unable to walk from the couch to the bedroom, despite rescue inhalers and oral steroids. On average, I have attacks like this 4+ times a year, and the recovery of my lung function takes about 4-6 weeks each time. What that means is that, although I have been running more or less consistently for 10 years, I am very much a novice. I once ran 6 miles continuously, 6 years ago. Since then, I have been unable to build back up to 2. Every time I start to make progress, someone around me sniffles, and I go down for the count. I'm hoping some of you understand my frustration with the stops and starts, the limitations, and even worse, the weeks when I can't run. My family is supportive of my continuing efforts, but can't understand my refusal to accept interval runs up to 2 miles as good enough. I've tried the experts, all the latest treatments, and I am zealous about my medications. I wear a mask when its cold, take my inhaler before I run, and always warm up and cool down. None of this stops me from catching a cold, or that cold from stopping me in my tracks. The sports and running experts I've talked to tell me that if I just get my asthma "under control", then my training will naturally get better. The medical experts tell me that my asthma is wonderfully controlled, and there's nothing they can do about about "viral-triggered" attacks. Both tell me that I will have to accept these limitations, or that I should be happy just to walk. I am hoping my fellow active asthmatics can help me resist going quietly into that good night. Any advice, motivation, suggestions, anything...would be helpful. So glad to find other runners with asthma! I’ve had asthma my entire life, and I’ve been running for the past 10 years. My asthma falls into that 20% non-EIA category. My attacks are induced by infection: a cold, a sinus infection, bronchitis, whatever. What this means is when I’m healthy, I build miles with few problems; I take my maintenance meds and rarely need my rescue inhaler. Unfortunately, if I catch the merest cold, I may find myself unable to walk from the couch to the bedroom, despite rescue inhalers and oral steroids.
On average, I have attacks like this 4+ times a year, and the recovery of my lung function takes about 4-6 weeks each time. What that means is that, although I have been running more or less consistently for 10 years, I am very much a novice. I once ran 6 miles continuously, 6 years ago. Since then, I have been unable to build back up to 2. Every time I start to make progress, someone around me sniffles, and I go down for the count. I’m hoping some of you understand my frustration with the stops and starts, the limitations, and even worse, the weeks when I can’t run. My family is supportive of my continuing efforts, but can’t understand my refusal to accept interval runs up to 2 miles as good enough.
I’ve tried the experts, all the latest treatments, and I am zealous about my medications. I wear a mask when its cold, take my inhaler before I run, and always warm up and cool down. None of this stops me from catching a cold, or that cold from stopping me in my tracks. The sports and running experts I’ve talked to tell me that if I just get my asthma “under control”, then my training will naturally get better. The medical experts tell me that my asthma is wonderfully controlled, and there’s nothing they can do about about “viral-triggered” attacks. Both tell me that I will have to accept these limitations, or that I should be happy just to walk.
I am hoping my fellow active asthmatics can help me resist going quietly into that good night. Any advice, motivation, suggestions, anything…would be helpful.

]]> Comment on Finished a 1/2 Marathon with Asthma by Jessica http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/finished-a-12-marathon-with-asthma/#comment-230 Jessica Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:23:22 +0000 http://taraschiro.wordpress.com/?p=65#comment-230 I'm in my first week of training for a half-marathon I plan on doing in December...so far it was okay until yesterday when I was supposed to run 8.5 miles. My asthma messed me up the entire time after about 1.7 miles. I couldn't even finish and had to stop at 6 miles. It took me an hour and a half JUST for those 6!! you can imagine the disappointment...so I was wondering if your times were ever disappointing at the beginning? How long till you built your "endurance" up? I'm wondering if it'll get better. I’m in my first week of training for a half-marathon I plan on doing in December…so far it was okay until yesterday when I was supposed to run 8.5 miles. My asthma messed me up the entire time after about 1.7 miles. I couldn’t even finish and had to stop at 6 miles. It took me an hour and a half JUST for those 6!! you can imagine the disappointment…so I was wondering if your times were ever disappointing at the beginning? How long till you built your “endurance” up? I’m wondering if it’ll get better.

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