Asthma and running. I get asked about it a lot so I figured we should just hash it out today!
This past weekend, I set out on Saturday morning for my latest and greatest long run attempt: 15 miles. If all went as planned, it would be a new PDR for me and I would love every minute.
Unfortunately, that did NOT happen!
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| My sad face because my runs were no bueno |
About a mile into my run, I noticed that I just wasn’t breathing correctly. In order to handle endurance events, I have to be very aware of my breathing at all times: I have to know when it’s getting too shallow, know when I can push it a bit, and definitely understand that moment when I need to back the hell off in order to avoid having an attack.
There was no logical reason as to why my breathing just didn’t feel right, so stupidly, I chose to continue. Right around mile 2 I felt my lungs start to seize up and my shallow breaths became almost non-existent. I realized I was hooting like an owl which is always an indicator that the oxygen is not coming!
I immediately stopped and grabbed my rescue inhaler, which I typically have with me. I sucked down a chunk of the Albuterol and bent over at the waist, trying to get my breathing under control. Scary? Sure. But to be honest, it has happened so many times over the years that I can always tell when it is panic time and when it is just “calm yourself down” time. Luckily, this was the latter.
I walked the two miles back to my house, trying to figure out the cause of the attack. Finally, it hit me.
Freaking humidity!
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| Source |
You see, Colorado is not a humid state at all. Yes, we have a disadvantage in terms of our altitude, but I am used to the elevation and can handle it. The humidity is another story. Moisture in the air is not good if you have crappy lungs like I do. In fact, doctors often send patients with lung issues to live in dry states like Arizona for this exact reason!
I did a little research, and sure enough, my town was sitting at almost 90% humidity on Saturday morning when I was running. When I combined that with my asthma and the altitude, I was sending my poor lil’ lungs into an unprepared overdrive that they did not know how to handle.
You see, when I am not on my asthma meds, I have been told that I breathe at 55% of what a women of my age, height and weight should be breathing at. When I take my meds, I’m typically up in the 80-85% range. However, when you throw in the altitude and the humidity, I seriously felt like I was breathing through a straw…and not a big one! In fact, I like to compare it to those tiny red straws that you see at gas stations that they give you so that you can stir your coffee. Know what I’m talking about? That’s how it felt 🙂
Anyway, after I did a little research and took my Prednisone bursts, I became more determined to get out there yesterday and get this run accomplished. I can be stubborn sometimes, and this was definitely one of those instances!
I set out yesterday with a plan: at every mile marker, I was going to walk for a minute. This seemed a little annoying to me, but it makes sense: this minute allowed my breathing to calm back down and prevented my lungs from going all hog wild on me. Plus, I had the Anne of Green Gables audiobook with me, so at least I was entertained.
I trotted along for a good 30-40 minutes and I felt great. I was walking, as planned, and had kissed goodbye the notion of busting out a speedy run. I just wanted to cover the mileage in any way, shape or form that involved my two feet.
However, this weekend clearly was NOT the weekend for me to be running! Right around mile 5, right when I was in my zone, I tripped over a curb and face planted it on the concrete sidewalk! I’ve never fallen like this, so I guess I should give myself some credit for doing it right 🙂 I managed to catch myself with my hands but my left knee and my right shoulder took a beating!
The knee is sore and just had some road rash stuff today, but my shoulder is all wonky. It is wicked sore still, but luckily, I have Terminator skin because I don’t even have a mark. Damnit, I need evidence that it hurts!
So, your lesson for the day? Don’t ever go running with me unless you have a First Aid kit 😉