Jogging outside - anybody wheeze? Or have asthma?

I just went to my town's HS track for an hour and had forgotten what happens when I do exercise outside in cool weather - wheezing/chest tightening.

I do have asthma but have been doing really well. I don't even have an inhaler anymore, but the cooler/drier air does affect me still I guess.

I had to stop myself from jogging the usual distance/time because my heart rate was 185 - over my recommended maximum heart rate. I still did an hour but I had to break it up a lot. Does anyone experience this, do you do anything differently?

Re: Jogging outside - anybody wheeze? Or have asthma?

You can actually develop asthma from running in cold weather, happened to my cousin. I'm a baby when it comes to cold, so I usually stick to the treadmill in the colder weather. I'll go out once before a race if the race is in the winter.

Re: Jogging outside - anybody wheeze? Or have asthma?

I ran outside today too (10 miles) and didn't think it was cold at all... it is going to get a lot worse. I think it was more your asthma than cold air. Are you on facebook?

Also, if you are used to running on the treadmill and this was your first time outside in a while, it is a lot harder to run outside so it could have been related to that (getting out of breath). You can pretty much bounce up and down on a treadmill as the treadmill moves under you. Outside you have to psuh you body forward.

Message edited 11/12/2011 10:14:08 PM.

Re: Jogging outside - anybody wheeze? Or have asthma?

Same thing happens to me when I run outside in the cold. November-March I mostly stick to the treadmill unless the temps are above 60 or so.

Re: Jogging outside - anybody wheeze? Or have asthma?

Under 30 degrees this happens to me sometimes. I get a slight burn in my chest when I am running. It doesn't' really bother me too much though - maybe I am just used to it. The same thing used to happen to me during indoor track meets, but the burning was way worse.

Sorry no remedies! Just wanted you to know you are not alone.

Re: Jogging outside - anybody wheeze? Or have asthma?

I wheeze if I have a slight cold. If its really cold out I find myself working harder to breathe.. like the air is thick or heavy..but once I warm up I can control it somehow and able to finish.

Re: Jogging outside - anybody wheeze? Or have asthma?

i did my very first run outside yesterday morning with dh. i also have asthma. i was able to run the first 1/4 mile. then i stopped to walk a bit then went back to jogging. i used my pump before i left the house

Re: Jogging outside - anybody wheeze? Or have asthma?

Thanks ladies. I read some more about it and cooler/drier air is definitely a factor in exercise-induced asthma. There are some breathing exercises I can do to strengthen my lungs but I'm pretty much stuck with it.

I have an appointment at the doctor in a few weeks anyway, I'll get another inhaler just in case. I know it wasn't even that cold but if it's affecting me now, I guess the rest of fall will be even harder! I want to do this though, that was a lot of fun.

Re: Jogging outside - anybody wheeze? Or have asthma?

I have asthma and rarely have to take my inhaler during Spring/Summer unless Im sick or its that time of the month. However, during the winter is when I use my inhaler the most.

I actually have to take my inhaler before working out to open my lungs. If I dont when I am on the elliptical or dancing I start wheezing and cant workout as long or hard. Definitely refill your inhaler. You may have to take it before you run to open your lungs.

Re: Jogging outside - anybody wheeze? Or have asthma?

Yes, as soon as the fall allergy season started I started to wheeze during outdoor jogging. Because I didn't manage my allergies/asthma, this led to me getting sick and a flare-up with my asthma, which I thought was bronchitis/pneumonia. Luckily, it wasn't and I'm treating it now with inhalers and after 2 weeks of not excercising, I will be doing indoor stuff for a while.

Re: Jogging outside - anybody wheeze? Or have asthma?

I always need my inhaler when I run outside in cooler temps. Definitely speak with your doctor and see what he/she recommends. I'm on Dulera and it works great for me.

Re: Jogging outside - anybody wheeze? Or have asthma?

I have asthma, and one of the best things for me in cold weather is just as simple as wearing a scarf over my nose and mouth. It warms up the air you're breathing a bit, and I find it cuts down majorly on the wheezing. You could use something like this: http://www.zappos.com/saucony-drylete-neckwarmer-black

Re: Jogging outside - anybody wheeze? Or have asthma?

Thanks again everyone. Just wanted to update... I went out again this morning and my breathing was much better. I concentrated on pacing myself and forceful breaths out, and was able to alternate jogging 1 lap and walking 1 lap for an hour.

I don't know what made the difference, maybe I just needed to break myself into it. I'm still going to get the inhaler for when it gets colder.

Thanks again ladies.