Newbie struggles

[Roadtrip]

As a newbie, i find i get overwelmed with new experiences, so asking those who may have experienced the same things helpful.

Two weeks ago I crashed while on a ride. I took about a week off the bike as I was really stiff. First post ride was really rough and I had absolutely no power in my legs. I was cooked after only four miles and turned around for home. Going into the holiday weekend it's been either hot/humid or raining, so I hate to admit I have been less then eager to get out and ride.

Mom and dad decided to go for a walk while I finished up dinner. Dinner was done so on a whim I jumped on the bike to go find them. I got up the first hill and felt like I was going to puke. Luckily they were only a few blocks from home and was on the way home anyhow, but this hill is normally not that hard. I had no power in my legs (I clawed my way to the top somehow) and it felt like I couldn't breath properly.. I've never had asthma attacks or anything like that, but have recently been fighting a little congestion and stuffy nose last three days, perhaps allergies??

I did find at I suffered from spring allergies for the first time this year and taking some OTC allergy meds helped. Perhaps its time to try them again. After that little ride, Im coughing and feel like my lungs are gunnked up and can't take full easy breaths, but didn't feel espically sick or congested before.

I don't feel bad doing routine daily stuff, but anything physical and I'm not able, definatly not what I'm used to. The crash may not be related but it did start right around then.

Shannon

[Catrin]

It does sound like allergies, or perhaps you are coming down with something that the increased effort is aggravating? The timing is probably coincidence, it does seem that those with allergies have been suffering these past couple of weeks. If the allergy OTC meds don't help you might want to visit your doctor just in case it is something else.

[Bike Writer]

Shannon,

I'm sure you are trying to connect the dots about your recent fall and this congestion/shortness of breath. I can't imagine they are related. What I can imagine is that being stuffed up/congested/possibly suffering from allergies coupled with the extreme heat and humidity of the last few days is what is contributing to your shortness of breath. Ohio is not that far from Michigan and if your weather was like ours, after that hot summer spell we've had much cooler and moderate weather except for this last week.

The heat and humidity came back with a vengance and saps a person's energy. If you are having any kind of breathing issue (allergy, cold, stuffy nose) this will only compound the effects of that. Your legs are probably rubbery because you haven't ridden much or done strenous stuff since your crash and your body is still recovering from that. Combine that with the heat and it's not surprising you felt so bad.

Take it slow and easy while easing back into biking. The cooler temps (if you are having them too) should help since your body won't have to fight the high heat and humidity. Go easy on yourself girl, you've been through a lot.

Feel better soon and sorry to hear about your crash - I hope all is well...

[redrhodie]

Are you sure your bike is okay from the crash; brakes aren't rubbing, wheels are true? I rode with a rubbing brake for a few rides years ago, and thought it was me. Of course, it could be you, but really go over the bike just in case. Spin the wheels. They should go freely for a long time.

[Kathi]

"Can't take full, easy breaths"?

As a former Cincinnatian I used to suffer with this. I too struggled when climbing hills. On dryer days I felt better but still huffed and puffed up hills. Thinking I was undertrained, I lifted weights, followed training plans, rode lots, improved my gearing but nothing changed.

As a kid I also had the same gasping for air when I ran hard. I accepted it as normal. Turns out, I have exercise induced asthma as well as regular asthma. Some things like humidity and air pollution will trigger it. Believe it or not the greater Cincinnati area is in the top 10 in the country for high air pollution. Since I've been on Advair and using my rescue inhaler pre exercise my symptoms have gone away.

I used to ride with the Cincinnati Cycle Club on their Tuesday evening rides. Hot, humid, hazy evenings were the worst for the 1st hour, it was a struggle to keep up with the group. Once the sun started setting I started feeling better, had more energy. My solution was to start with the slower group then catch up with and ride with the faster group at the end.

In July I was on a bike tour in Wisconsin, high humidity and air pollution. On a 60 mile day I had the same symptoms, I call them half breaths, and inability to push hard. I ended up increasing my advair doseage and doing what they call a prednisone burst, 2 tabs a day for 5 days.

I do not have allergies but non allergic rhinuitis. My asthma symptoms usually start with a dry cough when I'm exposed to triggers but can creep up slowly on me like my experience in Wis.

If it continues get checked out. Asthma is very serious and you don't want to end up in the emergency room.

[indysteel]

Like Red, I wonder if your bike is okay. If your brakes are off center, you might just be fighting your bike.

But as for the congestion: I suffer from year-long allergies. For as sneezy and stuffy as I often get, I can usually take full breaths from my lungs. The congestion is mostly in my sinuses, with some mild drainage down my throat. Once there's congestion in my chest and/or thick drainage, it's usually because I have an upper respiratory or sinus infection. In any event, breathing difficulty is not something I'd pass off as just seasonal allergies--at least not without talking to a doc first.

I will say that my allergies of late have been awful. I'll have a good few days and then, bam, I'll spend a day sneezing, blowing my nose constantly and generally feeling pretty rotten. Saturday was one of my bad days. I took an extra half-dose of Allergy finally and was fine the rest of the weekend.

[Kathi]

Like Red, I wonder if your bike is okay. If your brakes are off center, you might just be fighting your bike.

But as for the congestion: I suffer from year-long allergies. For as sneezy and stuffy as I often get, I can usually take full breaths from my lungs. The congestion is mostly in my sinuses, with some mild drainage down my throat. Once there's congestion in my chest and/or thick drainage, it's usually because I have an upper respiratory or sinus infection. In any event, breathing difficulty is not something I'd pass off as just seasonal allergies--at least not without talking to a doc first.

I will say that my allergies of late have been awful. I'll have a good few days and then, bam, I'll spend a day sneezing, blowing my nose constantly and generally feeling pretty rotten. Saturday was one of my bad days. I took an extra half-dose of Allergy finally and was fine the rest of the weekend.

I suffered from much of the same symptoms when I lived in Cincinnati and still get them here ocassionally especially with tempature extremes. Whenever I get sinusy I comment that my "Cincinnati sinuses" are talking to me. However, I never had breathing problems in conjuction with them. I wish I had known about Sinus rinse back then as it really helps me now.

[indysteel]

I suffered from much of the same symptoms when I lived in Cincinnati and still get them here ocassionally especially with tempature extremes. Whenever I get sinusy I comment that my "Cincinnati sinuses" are talking to me. However, I never had breathing problems in conjuction with them. I wish I had known about Sinus rinse back then as it really helps me now.

My neti pot is my friend, but when I'm at my worst, it only does so much to actually lessen my allergen load. It does, however, often help stave off infection.

[Kathi]

My neti pot is my friend, but when I'm at my worst, it only does so much to actually lessen my allergen load. It does, however, often help stave off infection.

I started doubling my rinse packets and when I feel really feel bad using it 2x per day is a must. Here it's more dryness and dust and I find it important to keep my sinuses moisturized. It's hard to believe the gunk I clean out even when things are normal.

[indysteel]

I started doubling my rinse packets and when I feel really feel bad using it 2x per day is a must. Here it's more dryness and dust and I find it important to keep my sinuses moisturized. It's hard to believe the gunk I clean out even when things are normal.

We used it every day when we were in Utah in April. Our midwestern noses are not used to that dry climate. It helped a lot, as did eye drops and saline spray.

[hebe]

I can't help with the allergies, but wanted to say be gentle on yourself following the accident. I am quite sure that you will get back to, and exceed, your performance before the accident, it just might take a little time.

[Owlie]

Cincy is terrible for seasonal allergies. Seriously. They mysteriously got better when I moved to Cleveland. ;)

Which bike did you crash, and which one were you riding when this happened? If it's the same bike, get it checked out. But: This happens to me when I'm coming down with something. Take it easy and go out for maybe some short easy rides, no hills--if you don't find yourself coming down with something.