I set a new personal best on my century cycling ride today

[prolesunited]

and I just wanted to brag. I road 100 miles (mostly flat, some rolling hills) in five hours and 50 minutes. (OK, I realize I'm not Lance Armstrong.) This is riding time only. I did stop at the four rest stops to pee, rehydrate and grab some food. I spent 15-20 minutes at each.

When I did my first century last year, it was more like eight hours. Granted, I did it on a hybrid with regular pedals (What was I thinking?) and I now have a nice racing bike and clipless pedals, although I did keep my hybrid, which is great in the city and on limestone trails.

I'm just really excited. What helped is that I road with faster guys at two different stretches and I didn't want to look like a wimpy chick. ;-) I did have to go solo on the last leg because I was having some problems.

Does anyone have exercise-induced asthma? Of course I'm going to call my doctor and discuss it with him, but I'm just curious because this happened when I was riding in Iowa as well. Whenever I push myself really hard, I've been ending up with breathing problems. Under a couple of hours and not too much strain and I'm fine.

In Iowa, it was a really bad, unproductive cough that started after I finished for the day and lasted about an hour. Today, I had my heart rate maxing out quite a bit, and then it felt like there were bands around my chest. I just couldn't seem to take a deep breath, even when I slowed down. I really made a conscious effort to regulate my breathing but found I couldn't.

And again, I started coughing a lot after I stopped. That's when I stopped pushing so hard and seemed to fare better. I do have allergies, but they're pretty under control with pills and a nasal spray. I wasn't bothered by them today.

Anybody have a clue? Am I being unduly paranoid?

[UrbScotty]

1. Cool!

Next goal: 2 minutes, 38 seconds.

Hey, you never know!

[prolesunited]

6. Haha!

Yeah, when I can snap my fingers and wiggle my nose like Samantha on Bewitched. Wouldn't that be way cool, though? :D

[flamingyouth]

2. First, congrats on your new personal best!

And yes, I have exercise-induced asthma too.

Several things make it worse (pollution, humidity for two), and if those two conditions are present, or if I'm just generally feeling wheezy I'll use my albuterol inhaler before going out for a run, or whatever. Do you have asthma, or is this the first time in your life that you've experienced this?

[prolesunited]

5. Thanks for the congrats!

I did have an episode two and a half years ago. My allergies were out of whack and I had a sinus infection as well. I hate to admit it, but I had been a smoker for many years.

When this episode happened, that's when I quit cold turkey. It really freaked me out. I did the inhaler, but only for a couple of weeks until it cleared up. I've been smoke free since, but who knows what damage I did, although they do say that your lungs do start to heal.

After I quit, I didn't have any problems and it only seems to happen when I *really* push myself. I'm fine on two or three-hour rides at pretty fast clip. What's weird is, the area I live in is very polluted by industry, but these episodes have happened in the country where the air is super clean. Maybe I'm allergic to it? ;-)

Since you do have it, do the symptoms sound like yours? Again, I will call my doctor. I am fortunate enough to have decent insurance.

[flamingyouth]

8. Yes, I think you might have it

It sure sounds a lot like an asthma attack to me. The way you described the band tightening feeling, that's what I get.

And the pollen, weeds, etc., out in the country could definitely be causing allergies, which can also bring on asthma.

I take my Advair inhaler twice a day, and I use the albuterol for any other attacks. My nurse practitioner told me once that it's fine to use it pre-emptively, like if you're feeling sniffly or a little wheezy, before going out to exercise.

Definitely see your doctor, and good luck! I'll be curious to hear what s/he says!:hi:

[prolesunited]

9. Will do

I tend to be a hypochondriac so I just thought I would ask some others. I'll make an appointment this week. Thanks! :-)

[eyesroll]

3. Congratulations!

I don't have any experience with exercise-induced asthma...but I do know it can hit during adulthood, even if you didn't have asthma as a child. I'd check it out...

[flamingyouth]

4. I developed my asthma as an adult

I was in my mid 20s and the doctor said it's not at all uncommon, especially since I've always had allergies, etc.

[prolesunited]

7. Thanks!

Hey, did you see we're having a Chicago gathering on Sunday, Sept. 5? It's at Moody's, so it's way up north and closer to you. Why not drive down? Monday is Labor Day. :-)