Rough Road to a Better Life with Asthma

By jggrosch

1 min read

This may be hard for some to believe as it was for me, but I love running with asthma. For 48 years I struggled with asthma. NO different from any other asthma sufferer. I had real struggles with mowing the lawn, even going past a mowed hayfield... well you all know the struggles. I had shots, inhalers, and all the stuff to help.

"There is no way I could run with asthma"

At age 48 a friend tried to get me to start running. My response was, "there is no way I could run with asthma." After much prompting, I agreed to try. At first, I could not even go a tenth of a mile and I would be in the ditch panting. After much pushing by my friend and over a very long period of time I was able to actually run. Since then I have done 18 marathons and an ultra 50 miler.

A newfound love for running

Since I have done this my life has completely changed. I can now mow the yard and do normal things other people do. I still have asthma and take medicine and use an inhaler but it is under control. The main thing running does for you is it expands your lungs and while you are running it works the congestion out of your lungs. I am now 66 and I still run 30 miles a week and if I take more than two days off I can tell a big difference mainly because of congestion built up. This may not be for everyone but if you can suffer through the struggle of getting started and working yourself up, a new life with asthma is available.

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johnep Member
I started jogging in my 30s and continued until knees and back no longer cooperated. I had severe asthma attacks as a child, but once I became an adult I took no medication although I probably should have. However, running helped clear my lungs of mucus and really made a difference for me. Now that I can no longer run, I have more issues with asthma.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="johnep" user-id="3021642"/> Hi john, and thanks for sharing your story here with the community. I see a couple of my colleagues and community members have already jumped in and related their own personal anecdotal experiences as well. I also have something to contribute. Having had asthma for so many years, now, as I have gotten older, I can look back and reflect on different aspects of my (asthma) life. Over all the years, I have never felt compromised, although I was. I always gave my best effort and always, tried to work hard through any asthma event! Often, that effort was facilitated by medication. My mind and mental approach, would never let me give in. I always felt that I triumphed although some of the times, it was somewhat less of a triumph (objectively), than I had thought! Today, I function, pretty much symptom free, using Advair and an
LEK228 Member
I can't run but I walk 2 to 3 miles every day and yes it clears my lungs out so much and helps a lot. I also go on hikes on the weekend when I can. I was in a car accident a few years ago and couldn't exercise for 6 mos or so and my asthma flared miserably. Gotta have my walks!
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="LEK228" user-id="4723998"/> Hi Lek - I hear you! Staying active can go a long way towards successfully managing this disease. Keep up the good work! We appreciate both your feedback and your input. All the best, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://asthma.net' target='_blank'>asthma.net</a>)