The Benefits of Cycling

[emily_in_nc]

That's fabulous makbike. Congratulations!

I blow ~350 on my peak flow meter (I'm 45 and 5'2" and know that's low). I have mild asthma that rarely bothers me, but I guess I should discuss my low reading with my doc. I had no idea I might be able to raise it much as it's always right about the same even if I am really fit. I'm not at peak fitness right now, but I have been working out regularly: walking, jogging, weights, hiking, and more recently, mountain biking.

It's good to read these kinds of post so I know that I could be doing better. How I would love to have better lung function so I wouldn't struggle so much on the hills and trails!

Emily

[makbike]

Emily:

I still struggle up hills but not because I'm not moving oxygen to my muscle, simply because my muscles are tired from all the riding I've been doing during my summer break. I can tell you that my BF has noticed a big difference in my breathing when we ride together (he unfortunately has seen me during one of my nasty asthma attacks while attempting to get up a hill or two). I can tell you that I'm amazed at what a difference the new inhaler has made in my lung function. My asthma doctor has me using QVar and Albuterol together and it does seem to be the magic combination for me and my lungs. Good luck in pursuit of better breathing.

[emily_in_nc]

makbike ~ Thanks for the info. My legs never even get sore on hills - it's just my huffing and puffing (loudly) all the way up that kills me. And some of these hills are very low-grade (but longish). When I am riding with others, I get self-conscious about my breathing because I never hear or notice them breathing hard, while I am panting away. I have a yearly physical coming up next month and will talk to my doc about my situation and ask about QVAR in particular. I am already using albuterol but don't find that it makes a lot of difference if I use it before a ride or not. I forget about half the time and do about the same as when I use it.

Thanks!
Emily

[Kano]

makbike ~ Thanks for the info. My legs never even get sore on hills - it's just my huffing and puffing (loudly) all the way up that kills me. And some of these hills are very low-grade (but longish). When I am riding with others, I get self-conscious about my breathing because I never hear or notice them breathing hard, while I am panting away. Thanks!
Emily

Emily: me too! I'm noisy as all get out on the way up the hills -- recover amazingly fast when I get to the top of the hill, so no, it's not asthma, it's just me! But yes, I get self conscious too -- and I've ALWAYS, even in the old days of being small, been a person who turns beat red during exertion too, so I probably look and sound mighty scary to someone who doesn't know better!

I have this feeling that we don't hear the other folks panting because we're so doggone noisy!

Karen in Boise