Well i have decided to start running to build up my stamina for sparring etc as i feel this is a major point at present for my progression in TKD.
So i donned some running gear, fired up the ipod, grabbed the missus's satnav watch (she runs marathons as a hobby!) and headed out the door.
All was going well for, well, about 5 minutes. Then my asthma kicked in worse that it had for years and within about 30 secs i had gone so dizzy i felt i was going to pass out. I stopped, used my inhaler, caught my breathe and carried on going. I managed to do a mile is 12 minutes which, whilst not olympic speed, I didnt feel too bad considering my attack. On a plus point i didnt actually feel that tired afterwards and feel that if it wasnt for my asthma i could have gone of for longer.
So, plan is to take it a bit easier and build up my defenses to my breathing condition. To be honest the 3 degree temp didnt help it too much but at least i am out trying my best. I doubt I will ever be challenging the missus but my aim is it to be able to do about 6-7 miles fairly comfortably within the next 6 months.
Thanks for all your comments everyone. I do now think that taking it a lot easier and not expecting to be able to do so much so quickly is the way to go. We do about 30 mins of exercise as a warm up in lesson but running seems to be a whole different level!!
i don't know how this would work with asthma, but have you tried 2-3 short breathes? i.e., instead of just inhale and exhale as your lung pleases, do 2 rapid exhale and 2 rapid inhale and so on. i find doing that takes a lot of load off my lung, and i don't run out of breathe while running. i don't know how it would work with asthma though.
maybe running isn't the best way to get started. try doing something easier on your respiration, like a bicyle or one of those cross country exercise thingy. since they aren't as demanding as running while you can keep your heart rate going and still can improve your endurance, it would be a good way to start. and while doing those, you can take deep breathe in and out slowly since they are not that demanding exercise as long as asthma goes. with your heart pumping and breathing slowly in and out, your lung capacity will increase over time.
yeah in your situation I would do around 7mins 3 times for 1 week. Then go to 10mins for 2 weeks. and then 15 for 2 weeks. Then 20 mins for 2 weeks and then just add 5mins every 2 weeks till you max out at 30 mins. Cause I think 30 minutes is good enough.
I also have asthma & took a long time to learn how to run. I'd suggest seeing your doctor to make sure your preventative meds are sufficient (ya don't wanna do the inhaler too much). I'd also suggest that also take it sloooww. Focus more on running a consistant length of time, rather than distance. 12, 15, 20 minutes 3 times a week. Also, at first, run so slowly that people make fun of you. Consistancy is the key.
I went from barely being able to run 1/2 a block to running a 5K (3.1 miles) in under 26 minutes in about a year. (Your mileage may vary).
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