iRun because I never thought I would be able to – Gary Morris, Winnipeg, MB

iRun because food tastes better afterwards – Patrick Houston, Alberta

iRun iRun to challenge my mind, body and soul – Sonia Mendes, Ontario

iRun so I can eat ice cream – Sandy Bolan, Ontario

iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Carlene Paquette, Carp, ON

iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia

iRun therefore I am – Duncan Walsh, Nottingham, UK

iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland

iRun because running is like breathing to – Stephanie McEvoy, Ontario

iRun because iLoves my man – Beverly Huang, Alberta

iRun to get to know myself, my strength and my spirit – Lisa Groulx, Ontario

iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Sarah Kallaghan, Alberta

iRun iRun to feel great – Kathryn Rachar, Saskatchewan

iRun because it�s like flying, only lower – Glenn Johnson, Ontario

iRun iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia

iRun for the cool t-shirts! – Pina Bevilacqua, Ontario

iRun because it reminds me that I am capable of so much more than I have done – James Sauve, Ottawa, ON

iRun because it�s a great way to see the world – Sherry Mahoney, British Columbia

iRun but not enough – Michael Shaw, New Westminister, BC

iRun iRun to correct years of sedentary living! – Mike Scott, Ontario

iRun iRun to inspire my children! – Wendy Bowen, Manitoba

iRun iRun because it's cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter, Alberta

iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario

iRun iRun to eat more, especially sweet potatoe fries – Joanna Skomra, Ontario

iRun iRun because it's a great stress release – Brooke McKenzie, Yukon

iRun because I�ve lost 80 lbs and running has become fun – Cheryl Kelly, Ontario

iRun because people around me inspire me – Pina Bevilacqua, Caledon, ON

iRun to someday win the race – Lindy Dunlop, Yukon

iRun iRun for the fresh air and adrenalin – Charlyn McGregor, Saskatchewan

iRun because it makes me feel good, allows me to spend time with my friends and gives me a feeling of accomplishment – Helen Kolodziejzyk, Calgary, AB

iRun iRun so that I can live longer and stronger – Derek MacPhail, Ontario

iRun away from the negative and towards the positive – Teri Lepard, Alberta

iRun because I want to be a role model for our six kids – Catherine Empey, British Columbia

iRun because I cannot say no to a second slice of chocolate cake – Emily Shandruk, Vancouver, BC

iRun iRun to challenge my perceived limitations – Cassandra Williams, Ontario

iRun iRun to kickstart my day – Sharon Strueby, Saskatchewan

iRun to unleash my inner athlete – Adelle Densham, Avonmore, ON

iRun iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland

iRun iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell, Quebec

iRun iRun because it helps me see things more clearly – Jennifer Pitts, Ontario

iRun because it�s cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter, Alberta

iRun so I don�t say never ever again – Linda Klaric, Manitoba

iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie, Ontario

iRun and run, and run, and run, and nobody can stop me – Andrei Lucaciu, Ontario

iRun because all the ladies are chasing my sexy runner’s body – Chris Baker, Etobicoke, ON

iRun iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

iRun because I can and I’m grateful – Terry SanCartier, Gatineau, QC

iRun to be free and enjoy our beautiful country – Cheryl Carter, Clearwater , BC

iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew, Ontario

iRun iRun for the challenge and to remember to fully live – Pascale Synnott, Qu�bec

iRun to prove to myself I can – Lesley McGougan, Brampton, ON

iRun because it has saved my life – John Marshall, Alberta

iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell, Quebec

iRun to my happy place and some days it�s very – Doreen May, Alberta

iRun iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

iRun for health, iRun for life – Pat Cheung, British Columbia

iRun iRun because I love the sense of accomplishment – Amber Moase, Nova Scotia

iRun iRun for the individual pursuit – Robert Pelletier, New Brunswick

iRun whenever I feel the need to escape – Iona Hillis, Ontario

iRun because the wall is meant to be broken – Jonathan Bird, Ontario

iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia

iRun because pecan pie, french fries and beer are chasing me – Teresa Sterling, Ottawa , ON

iRun because it’s in me – Michael Foley, Stittsville, ON

iRun because of the peace and strength it brings me – Michelle Jordan, Ottawa, ON

iRun iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario

iRun iRun for my heart, so it runs for me! – Cathy Brzoza, British Columbia

iRun because somebody once told me I couldn�t – Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan

iRun because it makes me whole – Denis Ladouceur, Quebec

iRun because I get foot rubs afterward – Kate Howerton, British Columbia

iRun because I am not as clumsy I thought I was – Hanna Baer, Quebec

iRun iRun to eat – Maureen Tritscher, Alberta

iRun because my heart tells me to – William Martin, Manitoba

iRun because otherwise I�m grumpy – Alexandre Charest, Quebec

iRun because it gives my day a boost of energy – Sara Campbell, Nova Scotia

iRun to challenge myself, physically and mentally – Kathleen Keenan, Brampton, ON

iRun iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn't – Peter Cicalo, Ontario

iRun because I want to qualify for Boston and raise money for charities near and dear to my heart – Christine Gracel, Calgary, AB

iRun because it reminds me of how strong I can be – Monique Lavoie, Ontario

iRun because there is no finish line – Claire Kilgour, Ontario

iRun iRun because walking is too slow – Barry Knapp, Ontario

iRun because it cleans up my life, because I drink more water, sleep better and eat healthier foods – Robin McIntyre, Ottawa, ON

iRun because I can�t dance – Mario Javier, Ontario

iRun because not everyone can – Olivia Harvey, New Brunswick

iRun to stay fit and release those running endorphins – Liliana Plava, Calgary, AB

iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

iRun because I live – Georges Schneller, Laval, QC

iRun for the moment when both feet are off the ground – Catherine Anderson, British Columbia

iRun to prove to them that iCan – Catherine Smith, Manitoba

iRun so my daughters know that they can, too – Shelley Kirkpatrick, New Brunswick

iRun to inspire my kids to try – Glen Johnston, Nunavut

iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

iRun because I need it to soothe the soul, keep me in shape and for overall wellbeing – Beth Neil, Lombardy, ON

iRun iRun all the livelong day – Pierre Saint-Laurent, Qu�bec

iRun because it�s better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey, Ontario

iRun because it�s fun when it�s done – Sue Matte, Ontario

iRun iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie, Ontario

iRun for the challenge to go faster and farther – Steven Matejka, Alberta

iRun iRun to satisfy the irresistible urge – Tim Nixon, British Columbia

iRun see where my feet will take me today – Megan Dolinskas, New York

iRun because I love the solitude – Janene Tailleur, British Columbia

iRun for overall wellbeing – Trish McCourt, Halifax, NS

iRun iRun away from the abyss – Charlene Thomas, Ontario

iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn�t – Peter Cicalo, Ontario

iRun to stay ahead of the weight gain – Myra Abstreiter, Alberta

iRun because when I run I feel most alive – Meghan Lynch, Ottawa, ON

iRun because it makes me a better person, a better wife, a better mother and a better friend – Nathalie Joncas-Caissie, St-Antoine, NB

iRun iRun because it's better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey, Ontario

iRun iRun because I like to be healthy – Melanie Oickle, New Brunswick

iRun because I want to live to be 100! – Colette DeJean, Ontario

iRun iRun because somebody once told me I couldn't – Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan

iRun for me – Kiza Francis, Ottawa,ON

iRun iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia

iRun iRun because it sure beats the bus – Robin Robbins, Alberta

iRun iRun because i love to – Mirella Petriello, Ontario

iRun iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew, Ontario

iRun iRun to maintain a strong physical and mental state – Tammy Rainville, Ontario

iRun iRun for me! – Judi Wearing, Saskatchewan

iRun because it gets my husband out there – Tricia LaLonde, Alberta

Cover photo from the current issue of iRun Magazine

Photo of Mark Sutcliffe's new book - Why I Run

Back to Table of Contents

Six Ways to Control Asthma The Facts

Running on Empty: Kate's Story

Gasping for Breath

By Kate Chappell

Exercise-induced asthma affects a growing number of runners. Even if you've never had breathing problems in the past, it could happen to you.

Whether it's a race day or an easy 5k training run, proper breathing technique is non-negotiable. But for an increasing number of runners, it's even more challenging because of an extra, frustrating obstacle: asthma.

According to Statistics Canada, 8.3 per cent of adults have asthma, which is defined as "a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult." Just because you've been breathing comfortably and problem-free for years doesn't mean you're immune - experts say asthma can develop at any age. And if you've had a bit of experience with shortness of breath on hot summer days and figure your symptoms are under control, take heed - the symptoms can get worse at any time. So, watch for the signs of asthma and be prepared to deal with them quickly if they surface.

What is exercise-induced asthma?

Runners experience a particular kind of ailment called exercise-induced asthma. The term is a bit controversial because exercise is not the root cause of the problem, but running can exacerbate the symptoms that make breathing difficult.

When you breathe, the air travels into the bronchi, the large tubes leading from the trachea to the lungs. The bronchi are divided into branches which end in air sacs called alveoli. You have about 300 million alveoli, each of which contains blood vessels in its walls. The alveoli expand and contract like balloons and use the blood vessels to send oxygen-rich blood around the body.

When a runner experiences an asthma attack, it's caused mostly by the increased rate of breathing. This is because the heightened air intake associated with exercise is a trigger for an attack. "The air moves in and out much faster, and the person has to breathe deeper," explains Chris Haromy, a respiratory therapist with the Lung Association of Ontario. "This cools and dries the airways out, and the effect of that is a tightening of the airways."

During an attack, air flow is reduced when the airways constrict, and as a result, phlegm is produced. This causes further constriction, which in turn decreases the amount of oxygen the person can access during exercise. An attack usually comes on within 10 minutes of beginning exercise, peaks within 30 minutes, and resolves itself within three hours.

Exercise makes breathing worse

Unfortunately for runners who have been diagnosed with asthma, exercise can make it worse. But there is no need to admit defeat and give up your training regimen.

Everyone should be able to exercise with very few limitations, but asthma needs to be under control," says Jan Haffner, a certified respiratory therapist and vice-president of health initiatives for the Lung Association of Saskatchewan.

Asthma is a condition that, when managed properly, does not have to restrict your exercise regimen. In fact, there is no better proof of this than the female and male world record holders in the marathon- Paula Radcliffe and Haile Gebrselassie, as both suffer from asthma. However, more than half of asthma sufferers do not have it under control, says the Ontario Lung Associations' Haromy. "It's very possible to exercise and run normally, but you have to meet with health care professionals and physicians in order to understand (asthma) and get it under control," he says.

Diagnosing asthma

The signs and symptoms of asthma are difficult to ignore, so if you start suffering, you'll know.

If you notice you are wheezing, coughing or have chest tightness or shortness of breath, whether you're exercising or not, you are likely experiencing asthma symptoms. See your doctor immediately. Based on your symptoms, a doctor can diagnose you and, with a spirometer test, can also determine how serious the constrictions in your airways are. A doctor may also test for allergies, test your blood and sputum, do a chest x-ray or perform "challenge" tests, which indicate how sensitive your lungs are to activity.

The 30 Second Test

If you have been diagnosed with asthma and are treating it with medication, take this quick test to determine if your asthma is not sufficiently controlled.

Do you have asthma symptoms four or more days of the week?
Do you wake up in the night with symptoms more than once a week?
Have you recently missed work or other activities due to your symptoms?
Do you take your "rescue" medication four or more times per week (not including before exercising)?
A combination of steroids and a long-acting bronchodialator

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, it is a sign you need additional medication and/or a better treatment plan.

What can make it worse

Allergens such as pollen, smog, pet dander and extreme hot or cold temperatures are triggers for an attack. Indeed, they may even prompt a runner without asthma to have a rough breathing day because they are irritants and therefore cause airways to constrict. So, try to plan your runs around ideal air conditions.

Treatment and prevention

There are several different types of medication, including:

"Rescue" inhalers like ventolin
Long-acting bronchodialators (which keep airways healthy)
Oral asthma and allergy medications called antileukotrienes
Inhaled glucocorticoid steroids
A combination of steroids and a long-acting bronchodialator

It can take a fair bit of experimentation and adjustment, in partnership with your doctor, to determine the right course of treatment.