I want to run!

[v-girl]

But I have a hard time breathing and can barely go 1/4 mile on a good day. I was just diagnosed with asthma last Monday. Any tips? I love the feel of running. Other than gasping for breath, it's amazing. Help me run!

[SoonerTexan]

Run On Classes in McKinney. They have walk/run 5k classes that I KNOW you could do

Seriously...if that store were a religion, I would be a fundamentalist

[HouseofWool]

V, have you seen the couch to 5K training program? http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml This doesn't take into account asthma, but is a good place to start for beginning runners. I did it and can now run 5k.

[bokelley]

couch to 5K, that is how I started running. Now I really enjoy it!

[diggitydot]

If you have an iPhone, they have a bunch of C25K apps that have audio cues for when to walk/run.

[scrub-jay]

Talk to your dr about things you can do for your asthma. I've known many runners who are also asthmatic, it is all about adjustment and finding the right meds/treatments. Good luck!!

[peggyfromwastate]

If you were just diagnosed,what meds are you taking? Fast acting albuterol should help you. Take it right before you exercise and then as needed. Don't worry about the 4-6 hour spacing. Take it as needed. With an asthma diagnosis you will probably be taking some long-acting controller too but that will probably not kick in for about 2 weeks until after you start it.

Go easy at first. You don't want to trigger an attack because that's serious stuff.

Good luck! I hate running but I do it bc it's the quickest way for me to complete a workout lol. I just don't get snything out of the elliptical or the bike.

[diggitydot]

DD1 has gnarly asthma and she runs. She takes a daily allergy med (her asthma is triggered by her allergies), and keeps her inhaler with her if she needs it. DH also has asthma and runs, but he just powers through and then comes home and occasionally hits the inhaler if it doesn't improve. His is exercise induced asthma.

[SoonerTexan]

I also did Couch to 5K

[v-girl]

If you were just diagnosed,what meds are you taking? Fast acting albuterol should help you. Take it right before you exercise and then as needed. Don't worry about the 4-6 hour spacing. Take it as needed. With an asthma diagnosis you will probably be taking some long-acting controller too but that will probably not kick in for about 2 weeks until after you start it.

DH just told me the same thing. He said to take the emergency inhaler right before I go out. I'm on Dulera (2 puffs in the am & pm). I'm going to try it again in the morning. I had C25K downloaded on my phone, but ran out of room with too much music. I think it's on my iPod though. Will give it a shot.

I agree with using your inhaler before a run! Also, not sure if you are running outside or on a treadmill, but my asthma was always worse if I ran in cold air.
I would be interested to hear if your long acting inhaler helps. I'm hoping to get back to running later this year and need to manage my asthma better if I'm going to do it.

[v-girl]

I don't have a treadmill so I'm stuck with north Texas spring weather -- sunshine, pollen and all. It isn't cold though.

[houseelf]

Welcome to your new addiction!

I don't know what the couch to 5K program is, but I always recommend some timed intervals of jog/walk until you get your endurance up. It mentally is easier to run 5, walk 1 until your body gets over the hump. After several weeks of gutting it out, you will be able to run for prolonged periods of time with relative ease. Just remember to listen to your body!

Good luck.

[HouseofWool]

Kelly - that is what the C25K is - a specific regimen of interval training to get you up to a 5k.

[v-girl]

Not ready for full c25k. Made it 1/2 way through day 1. Can't breath. I might die. Leaning on bed bc can't stand upright.