Two weeks ago, I jumped my long run to 16 miles. The course from my house through the city to the end of Lee Drive and back is a half mile longer than 16.
With a 61-degree dew point, I ran a consistent pace until the last two miles, when I slowed by about a minute per mile.
Roll forward to a meeting with my Pulmoligist on August 24. On August 11, I did a pulmonary function test to determine any factors behind my sporadic shortness of breath symptoms.
I should have been more concerned when I received a call from the doctor later that night telling me he wanted to do more tests and to make another appointment. Usually, a clinical staff member makes the follow-up call from tests.
I ran Devil’s Den without issue on a 61-degree dew point morning. I was breathing heavily for a half-minute after finishing.
At my August 24 meeting, my test results indicated obstructive lung disease. I don’t exhale everything out of my lungs. OLD can be either COPD or asthma. Since I’ve never smoked, we’re looking at exercise-induced asthma.
On my chart, the doctor noted: “moderate obstructive asthma with some BDR” (Bronchodilator relief).
He prescribed a rescue inhaler (Pro Air) to use as I felt I needed it. He described the use as similar to taking Tylenol when having a headache. Since I’ve never been stopped in my tracks without being able to breathe, the as-needed is still a work in process.
As part of the pulmonary function test, I was dosed with Albuterol and did feel better on the following day’s run. I decided to take a dose on the morning of long runs and maybe one morning in between or when I get shortness of breath in the middle of the night.
I took a dose on the morning of August 25 before a second 16-mile long run. That morning had a 68-degree dew point with temperatures rising into the 80s before finishing.
I did well for the first 12 miles and then bonked. My finish time was 4 minutes slower than the previous week.
On August 31, I ran the same 16-mile course with a 66-degree dew point morning.
For the last couple of years, my usual day off from running has been Wednesday, with Thursday being a long run day. So on this abnormal day, I got out by 6:30 am after taking an Albuterol dose at 5:30.
Unlike the previous week, the temperature was not rising. My splits through 12 miles were close to the earlier runs.
As I exited Lee Drive, I crossed Lafayette Boulevard to run downhill, facing traffic.
About 200 meters from Blue Gray Parkway, I saw the traffic signals’ status; if I pushed hard, I would be able to cross without stopping.
Fortunately, the signal sequence at this intersection has not changed for at least four years. I ran on Lafayette Boulevard as there was no traffic coming my way, jumped on the bike path, made sure no cars were turning right from Blue Gray, watched the through light to make sure it was still green, and crossed without interrupting traffic.
I ran that 200 meters harder than I should have, and it took a while to recover. Except for the last two miles, my pace was within 10 seconds per mile. The last couple of miles were two minutes slower per mile.
I felt good about that 200-meter push. Good enough to go for 18 miles next week. My breathing when finishing was not as labored.