Asthma and Triathlon
61
Member
601 days
jperubog posted 34 weeks ago.
I think it depends upon the severity of the asthma, I have had asthma since I was a child, and never let it stop me from competing in sports, but I know of others who cannot be very active without having bad attacks. My asthma comes and goes, when I need an inhaler I use it. Some advice I could give is just try and figure out for yourself what your triggers are. Certain things(pollen, dust, cold air, nighttime, exercise) trigger attacks. Taking an inhaler before a training session or race has always worked for me. Sometimes I would actually take it after my warmup, I go out and get really warmed up, then I take my inhaler and I am good to go for a long time. I think anxiety has alot to do with attacks and is a trigger in itself. I am at a point where I don't use anything right now, and I haven't used my inhaler for a training session in months. But I have been in situations where I was using my inhaler three to four times a day. So I have had alot of experience in dealing with this. If you want to talk more, or have some specific issues with your training, let me know, I may have had a similar experience and may be able to offer an opinion or advice. Otherwise I think it sounds like you are doing about the same as what I have done.
10
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975 days
mikem posted 34 weeks ago.
I also have exercise induced bronchiospasm (10 years) and find that it only seems to affect my training when I am unfit as well as when I Race.
All the nervousness associated with racing seems to act as a trigger for an attack especially a cold water swim, However using the Asthma pump before a race has always avoided me having an attack, I always carry my pump with me but to date have never needed to use it after the inital dose.
I forgot to use it for my first Ironman and had an attack 1.5 miles into the swim, after that I practiced using the pump in prerace visulizations as well as taking 2-3 pumps with me to races.
Where I would have one on the swim , 1in transition and one with the marshels that control the tables for thos that need to leave there glasses to be picked upafter the swim.
Ride it like you stole it.
17
Member
955 days
Porksalad posted 34 weeks ago.
I have had asthma since I was a child. Same as the others take a hit before your race or workout and you should be good to go. I also think a lot of it is in your head. I will go for a ride and be fine only to realize I forgot my inhaler and bingo it acts up. So mentally prepare yourself with this situation and 'forget' to bring it and see what happens. As far a training sessions I think it is the same as training without asthma the only difference that I have heard is we (astmatics) have a lower VO2 max than someone without it, even at the same max heart rate. So if you do alot of training based on your heart rate and your VO2 max is based on a % than this could be a little off. I am going to see my doctor in a couple of week to talk to him about this and I will let you know what he said. Good luck.
112
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827 days
Tri Fanatic posted 34 weeks ago.
I have has asthma since I can remember. Exercise induced like yours. It does not really bother me anymore. However, there are some days that I can not do anything without it. Usually if I don't do a good warm-up is when I have problems. I just did the Oceanside 70.3 without using it before or during the race and probably haven't used my inhaler in 2 months. As long as I stay active it seems to not bother me.
693
Member
1153 days
deepbluex posted 34 weeks ago.
I have exercise induced asthma. It will hit me if i go too fast for too long. It's confusing at first because it just feels like I'm out of breath but it's sustained and I hear wheezing as my airways get smaller. I am able to keep it from setting in by not going all out. I can still get PRs by watching my pace over the entire race but I just don't do last minute sprint dashes to the finish line.
I keep an albuterol inhaler in my back jersey pocket during racing but I have not had to use it since I learned to not get myself to that "trigger" zone.
12
Member
297 days
thegman posted 34 weeks ago.
I've had asthma since I was a kid, and allergies to dust, pollen, cigarettes, etc. As I got older and fitter it has receeded and it's now only sometimes ecersice induced, and only at the start of exercise, not during. That initial get going hits the body and sometimes triggers it.
Never have a problem on a ride (lower intensity to start with?). Hardly ever have a problem with the swim now if I start easy and the water is warm enough (i.e. not real cold). Can sometimes run without an inhaler, but usually have a puff beforehand to make sure it's delt with and I don't have to interrupt the run.
I have noted that exercise (particularly running) is harder if I don't have a puff first. I don't get an attack, but breathing just seems a bit tighter and harder without that first puff, and the body feels slower and heavier. My sister's noted the same thing with intense walking. Does that mean it's a performancing enhancing drug :)
622
Member
565 days
Iron Dan posted 34 weeks ago.
We seem to have more dopers here than the tour. :)
I have read a lot of posts and posted some of my experience and knowledge base on two years of competing. I wanted to get some input on something I have not read in a discussion.
I have exercised induced asthma. It is well under control. My doctor basically instructed me to take a hit from my albuterol inhaler before I exercise or race and I should be OK. So far, his advice has worked out, and I have never had any sort of asthma trouble while racing.
What I am curious about is how the condition affects training strategies. Like many, I am becoming a bit more logical and methodical in my training with base buiding, and paying attention to my heart rate. I just wonder if the usual rules still apply. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
Feel free to call me a doper...I have a doctor's note. Not like I am winning anything anyway. :)