Training & Nutrition - Does Allergies/Asthma really slow you down?

Iv'e been going out 1x per week on a group ride. We go about 30 miles and I always manage to stay in the middle of the pack. This week I huffed and puffed the whole way. I knew my allergies were kicking in but I didn't realize the impact it had on my physical abilities. It took me a whole other day to begin feeling human again. I doubled up on my Allegra and I got out the Ventolin. I hope next week I do better.

Allergies most certainly affect me. I get that wheezing sound in my lungs and they really seem to have an impact on physical exertion. A really strange thing happens when I sneeze alot, I get hungry!!

Since the age of about 10 the worst time of the year for me is the spring.

Either the allergies or the medications suck the life out of me. Even with the nasal steroids or Nasalcrom I still feel lifeless from mid-spring to mid-summer. By then the heat and humidity have taken over for the allergies :D

Physical activity clears me up (adrenaline is a natural antihistamine!). I hate stopping because afterwards I feel stuffy compared to how clear I am during exercise. Riding in the cold is REALLY great! I'm allergic to mold, and it's at its lowest when it's cold, so my lungs/sinuses feel HUGE! I love it! Last summer I started riding when it was disgustingly hot and humid outside. It felt like I was trying to breath underwater (nose was clear, lungs didn't feel clear), but I don't know if that was my allergies or if everyone else felt that way too. I don't 'officially' have asthma but I like to enjoy mild symptoms every so often when the mold comes to hang out. Dust is also a very good friend of mine so I get no seasonal breaks weeeeeeeeeee:D

I notice the same thing from time to time. On rides, I've got the inhaler close by to help out but the added strain for air with the restricted lung capacity has serious performance effects. Its almost like your going uphill against the wind.
If the allergies hit, I cant even conceive of getting on the bike.

Natophelia, Oddly Im the opposite. I live for the hot muggy 95+ rides, the cold makes me a snot faucet.
Once you have asthma you really are amazed at those that smoke.

I'm up to trying again tomorrow morning. We have had alot of humidity and temps in the low 80's. I opted to spread mulch in my garden over riding. Right now the air is cool and fresh so maybe I can get a good ride in tomorrow a.m.

I really don't want to miss my Tuesday ride with "the girls" but I also don't want to be an anchor. Lets pray that the Allegra did it's trick.:eek:

I've found that if either my asthma or allergies are acting up, I tend to have a lousy ride. Sometimes I can anticpate it as my HRM typically will show that I'm 15-20 bpm above normal for a given ride. You may want to try Maxair, as I have found it to be much more effective than Ventolin, though this is different for everyone.

When we ride tandem my wife can tell that my asthma is starting to flare up before I do. She has to start peddling harder.

Originally posted by Annie
Iv'e been going out 1x per week on a group ride. We go about 30 miles and I always manage to stay in the middle of the pack. This week I huffed and puffed the whole way. I knew my allergies were kicking in but I didn't realize the impact it had on my physical abilities. It took me a whole other day to begin feeling human again. I doubled up on my Allegra and I got out the Ventolin. I hope next week I do better.

It has been extremely hot and humid here recently. I have been going out cycling earlier and earlier to try and avoid the worst of it. Now I am starting at 5:30 AM.

I am 23 and female and have fairly bad asthma. I will start wheezing and getting short of breath during my ride and have to stop to take my Ventolin. I have found that taking a couple of puffs before I ride sometimes helps but when the humidity is like 90 %, I really find it much harder to breath and usually cannot go for as long.

I have started taking mini breaks during my longer rides which seems to help but it is frustrating. At 23, I should be able to go longer...and I can't.

Justen