Asthma or fitness or what?

[han-grrl]

I thought, that there must be something wrong with me. I sound like an old smoker when i race. But then an elite male passed me. He sounds just like me! they make it LOOK easy, but effort is well effort, so hard effort will make you puff. Just make sure that you are able to breathe, and than there are no underlying health issues that need addressing. Many time as people approach that puff point, they start to panic a little bit so the breathing goes all over the place, and/or they start actually holding their breath.

smile
Han

[bmccasland]

On the other hand - if while riding hard you're doing an immitation of a freight train, this is a *bad thing*. One thing about riding a bike path on top of a levee, all classes of riders get pretty close to one another. On more than one occasion, I've had elite riders ask if I'm OK when they pass me. I used to say "Yeah, this, is, nor-mal, for, me." Coughing up phelm is somewhat normal, but doing frieght train immitations isn't. So be careful.

I did find concentrating on my breathing in spin class was good winter training. I think my breathing while riding is better this year. Of course yesterday I was a lazy slug and took a nap with my cat instead of going to class...

[kelownagirl]

I am often guilty of not warming up. I will try to do that from now on. Might help. Thank you!

[han-grrl]

when i teach my spinning class and the intensity increased, i call it being comfortable with your discomfort. Breathing is laboured, its hard to talk lots but there isn't any panic, ie. you can still breath its just not feeling all that good.

• warming up helps,
• eating the right foods.
• watch the "air pollution" whether indoor or out.
• cold air or humid air can be an irritant for some
• watch the "head pollution" even nasty self talk can cause some "panic breathing"

Smile!

Han

[kelownagirl]

I know what you mean Han - I have done the head thing to myself before. I am not so concerned with my breathing any more now that I know I can get in a pretty bad way and not die.

My biggest problem is the excessive phlegm I am hacking up (sorry, gross, I know). Clearing my throat, trying to get rid of it... I can even deal with the coughing attack afterwards because that seems to go away. The throat full of crap bugs the heck out me.