Training & Nutrition - Exercise induced asthma

I had my first mountain bike race on Saturday, and it was quite the lung buster. Literally. During one of the steeper climbs I felt my lungs burning, which seemed pretty normal. After the race, though, I had this very deep congested cough, and my breathing was pretty labored. Didn't seem strange untill hours after the race it wasn't getting any better. All yesterday, too, and no other symptoms of a cold or anything. It's finally starting to come back around to somewhat normal breathing today (Monday), although there's still congestion in there. I called an ask-a-nurse at the hospital, and she said it sounded like exercise induced asthma. Is this common? Should I go see a doctor to get an inhaler incase this happens again?

seems more common than we think. I've got it. I can't go more than 4-5 hours without using my inhaler.

yup, see your doctor.

Wouldn't hurt a bit to see an allergist. I used to carry an inhaler for years, now just need two pills a day. Getting an inhaler/pills will let you do whatever you want, no restrictions.
And yes, you can pick up asthma later in life. Allergies affect us in many ways.

I have it too, but instead of an inhaler, I was instructed to take the Primatene pills (or in a pinch, any pseudoephidrine laying around the house) an hour before exercise. It helps tremendously, especially the colder months.... But yes, see your doctor...

I have it too, but if I didn't take something before exercize I would get an attack. The great thing I discovered with cycling is that if I bicycle slowly for 10-15 minutes beforehand, I don't get attacks, can ride like a NORMAL person, at least I assume so, being somewhat abby-normal myself. Otherwise I have to take Intal (Chromalyn-Sodium?)(no side effects non-steroid) 10 minutes before, but the result is the same. The warmup technique doesn't work for running, though (so I don't run! Ha!).
Of course your mileage may vary.