Anyone else with lung issues??? Help for middle ager, please.

[JennyDrake]

June 2011 I decided to start running at age 46. I had NEVER run in my life but was not over weight and reasonably fit (I live on a farm and also take dance and Pilates classes. My goal was the Haunted 5K in October. I'll spare you the training tales, but it was MUCH harder than I was expecting and I found Jeff Galloway to be HIGHLY optimistic!

But I have *issues* that his program is not meant to address....I have asthma that is very well controlled but it DOES influence the level of exertion I can put forth. AND I only have 40% lung capacity due to heavy calcification scarring from histoplasmosis.

In a moment of temporary insanity I signed up for the F&W Half Marathon. WHAT WAS I THINKING?????

Due to this summers's extreme drought and heat (we stayed at 105 for days--actual temp) my training got sidelined in favor of staying alive.

I'm at 8 weeks to go and still having lung issues with (just) 6 miles due to the incredible pollen count. Has anyone else dealt with this? If the pollen plummented tomorrow can you please look into your crystal balls and tell me if I could still get enough condition to do this?

Oh and I WALK almost all of it. I do 1 minute running (slow jog is more like it) and 3 minutes walking. I have no joint issues, etc.

BTW at only 5' tall, I find I exert much more energy to keep up a walking pace than tall people!

 

[johde]

My first thought would be to get to a Dr. and see if you can get a prescription for an inhaler to take pre-exercise. I know people on other message boards with exericise induced asthma that have improved their lung capacity. As far as your R/W ratio, That sounds more like what Jenny Hadfield uses in her and John Binghams book "Marathoning for Mortals". I finished my first 2 half marathons using their plan. The first one I used the walk plan and the second one I used the walk/run plan (although I changed the ratios at the end). From the 6 mile long run their plan is 8 weeks till the race. The progression of weekend runs are 7, 4(t), 8, 6(t) ,10 ,8(t), 5 ,race, and 13.1(race). (t) denoted tempo run in their walk/run and run/walk plans, they bump up the run/walk ratio those weeks. For you, I would try run 1 minute/walk 2 or 2 1/2 minutes. I know the weather up here in Ohio has cooled down quite a bit so hopefully it's getting cooler their as well and that will also help.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I was at an expo where Jeff Galloway was speaking and he offered advice to someone who was coming into the event with training issues as life got in the way. He recommended to that person that they go with a 1/1 ratio. Basically he said to slow down and enjoy the view. I don't know what pace you are at, but you might give this a try.

I have used it in some events and found that it worked for me. I am a very slow participant, started my first event at 54/55 and have been moving merrily and slowly along ever since.

I do find the Jeff Galloway program a bit too aggressive on my old bones and am a John Bingham/Jenny Hadfield Marathoning for Mortals follower. This program is just what I need.

Hope you can get yourself in order and as mentioned, I hope your doctor is on board with your participation.

 

[Figment1990]

Jenny, I have asthma, it's "mild persistent" so it's not exercise induced. Mine is mostly controllable by keeping my allergies in check and managing stress. I was finally diagnosed 6 years ago after spending the first 25+ years of my life thinking that I just stunk at gym class. For the first 3 years I used an inhaler pre-exercise and that really helped, although it is a pain because it can increase phlegm and who needs that during exercise. Perhaps my asthma improved with pregnancy (I've heard that can be possible) but I think it was my treatments. This fall, I'll be running the wine and dine half (hopefully) with a lot of running and some walking.

Anyhow, that's my background. Clearly I do not have the significant issues you have with the 40% capacity. But here is how I'm training. I find it hardest for me to run outside at night when people are mowing their lawns. I also found a local high school that has turf on their football field instead of grass. And I do 60% of my running inside on a treadmill. I know it's not ideal to train on a treadmill but it works for me so I'm going with it. And I keep it slow. Very slow, jogging really. I found a "sweet spot" that works best for my lungs and my knees and given how far I've come in this training I'm ok with that (2 years ago I thought I'd never be able to run again from a bad injury).

As for whether you have time I think you do as long as you are injury free. Even if you don't quite make it up to 14 like galloways plan. You might consider adding in some cross training (maybe once) indoors to help you build strength and core and endurance and u won't be exposed to the elements. I do xt rather than add any other days of running (I try to run3x a week)

Good luck!

 

[JennyDrake]

Many thanks for the input and of course I welcome more!

I do have/use a pre-exercise inhaler. (it is the only time I use any Rx.) My Dr. thinks I need my head examined, but is otherwise on board!

I do Pilates 1 day per week, strength training 1-2 days and fairly demanding dance classes 2 days. (Ballet, pointe, tap, musical theater).

I have access to a treadmill and I appreciate the encouragement to take advantage of such (even though it is boring beyond belief.) I had not heard of the "Marathoning for Mortals" and I am very excited to check it out!

THANK YOU again for your input and support!

 

[Figment1990]

Hi Jenny - given what you are saying, it sounds like you are you great shape and could train up through the race date and be able to finish it. As long as you aren't injured, I say stick with it, at least until closer to the finish. At that point, you'll have a much better idea of what you think you can do. As long as you aren't injured, training won't hurt you, even if you don't end up racing.

The hot temps and the pollen pack and one-two punch for you. I know the 'mill can be boring but since you're a dancer (like me) go find some seriously motivating tunes and crank it up!

I just wanted to write back again because I wanted to also say that I'm totally jealous of your dancing! I miss it so much. My leg injury completely sidelined me two years ago and I've yet to get back to being able to take a class or even just dance at weddings! But that is my next goal after this race. To sign up for a class!

Just out of curiosity, have you tried to increase your jogging ratio when you're in a climate controlled environment (like atreadmill?) because those classes and your lifestyle sound even more strenuous than jogging!

Hang in there - and Good luck!

 

[JennyDrake]

Hi Jenny - given what you are saying, it sounds like you are you great shape and could train up through the race date and be able to finish it. As long as you aren't injured, I say stick with it, at least until closer to the finish. At that point, you'll have a much better idea of what you think you can do. As long as you aren't injured, training won't hurt you, even if you don't end up racing.

THANKS! That really helps!

The hot temps and the pollen pack and one-two punch for you. I know the 'mill can be boring but since you're a dancer (like me) go find some seriously motivating tunes and crank it up!

Good idea! Maybe that wuld pass the time better than books on tape.

I just wanted to write back again because I wanted to also say that I'm totally jealous of your dancing! I miss it so much. My leg injury completely sidelined me two years ago and I've yet to get back to being able to take a class or even just dance at weddings! But that is my next goal after this race. To sign up for a class!

I UNDERSTAND. I am 47 and stopped dancing ( I was not a pro but was a fairly serious adult ballet dancer) when I married 20 years ago and moved to BFE. I returned to dance (ballet, flat) January 2010 and I had not fully realized what a large piece of me was missing. (I know you understand.) I had a knee injury that summer that sidelined me for a while. I switched studios and ended up at a terrific place that had WONDERFUL adult classes!

Summer 2011 I took my first step of tap--EVER and have been amazed at how much I enjoy it.

This fall I added musical theater and went back en pointe for the first time since 1986! I know my pointe days won't alst forever, but I just wanted to see if it could be done.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried to increase your jogging ratio when you're in a climate controlled environment (like atreadmill?) because those classes and your lifestyle sound even more strenuous than jogging!

Dance and my lifestyle are more start/stop than cardio. It is the cardio that gets to my lungs. My lungs LOVE humidity but not when it is 105 degrees or pollen soup to breathe.

I find I can go longer distances on the treadmill, but I will take your suggestion into account tomorrow and see if I can bump up my ratio.

Hang in there - and Good luck!

Thanks you again for all of the encouragemnet and I want to her back from YOU when you return to dance!

 

[Bookwood]

Jenny~ I can't speak to your asthma (although my daughters all run with it everyone is different) but love the Marathoning for Mortal plans. I started running about your age and have used their plans for every full and half since. (I'm 57 and have done 15 half's and a full since I started.) Good Luck!!

 

[JennyDrake]

I wanted to thank everyone for their help and the GREAT suggestion of Marathoning for Mortals! That book has been a HUGE help!! According to it, I can do the half (just) walking and be fine, if I so choose. Still hoping for some walk/run/walk, but we shall see! Thanks again for all of the help and support. Want an update when I'm done?

 

[jenifred]

I discovered I had asthma (EIA to be specific) when I started running. I had done air-conditioned cardio classes in a gym for years without a problem, but when I started running outside it was like someone shut off my lungs. I was expending more entergy just trying to breathe than running.

After about 4 months of fighting it, I saw the Dr. and he put me on two meds. I have a corticosteroid that I use once daily and a rescue inhailer for right before I run (and if necessary during the run). The rescue inhaler alone did not help, so I have to use both. I've had pretty good success, considering I run during Louisiana summers. I have gotten down to about a 10:30 pace that's maintainble for Half distances. But I have learned that when I feel an attack coming on, I have no choice but to slow down, use the inhaler and start up again when I can. Also, I maintain a strict breathing pattern of 2-in-2-out. If find if I get off pattern, that's when I start having problems.