OK so maybe a bit of a dramatization for Portland weather, but rough nonetheless!
Intern Jessie here: If you asked me a few months ago where I’d be right now, I would have pointed to the day on my training plan, filled with blissful pride and unwavering certainty. Little did I know I’d get tripped up by something I didn’t see coming.
Having grown up in California, you might say I have an aversion to cold temperatures. So during November and December, I did my best to avoid winter temps. Sure, I was ignoring the fact it might be 20 or 30 degrees at the mid-January starting line, with wind and rain thrown in for fun. I knew I’d have to brave the weather eventually, but why start now? Instead, I became accustomed to midday 40- or 50-degree runs, sometimes even with the sun shining down on me.
I had caught a break: As in so many other regions, Portland’s winter started out abnormally warm. Then the inevitable happened, and I had to do my training run in 33-degree temps. My running tights were ready, along with the other winter running clothes I bought in anticipation of cold runs. I didn’t realize they couldn’t offer me the protection I really needed.
I headed out the door like any other run, but a half-mile in to my planned six-miler, I realized I wasn’t getting in much air. I slowed down and focused on my breathing, but that didn’t help. By this stage of my training, I wasn’t bringing my inhaler with me on runs—big mistake. People had asked whether cold air was a problem with my asthma, but I’d thought it wasn’t. Now, as I stood gasping by the side of the road, I realized I hadn’t put the theory up for a test. Anxiety set in, and I had to kneel down on the sidewalk, calm myself, and focus on getting air.
Finally, I walked back home, dizzy with oxygen deprivation and fear. It took me a while to work up the nerve to try running in the cold again, but it ended the same miserable way.
This wrench in my training makes it so I won’t be running the Cascade Half Marathon as planned. While I’ve been home in San Jose for the last few weeks enjoying sunny, moderate-temps runs, I know once I get back to Portland, it will be treadmills or nothing until the temperatures climb to where my lungs can handle it.
Though I’m sad asthma got the better of my winter racing plans, it’s most definitely not getting in my way of a 13.1 in warmer weather. Stay tuned this spring or summer.
I have pretty bad asthma, too. All I can say is that practicing cold weather running helped me. I always start off slow and take extra hits of my inhaler. I walk when I feel even a tiny wheeze to avoid a full on attack. Some people cover their mouths with a scarf. That doesn’t work for me, but it might for you. Good luck!
Don’t be too hard on yourself, Jessie. You’ll see 13.1 miles soon! :)
Sorry you can’t run the Cascade half, but breathing is more important. You’ll get your 13.1 in warmer temps this summer!
I have cold-induced asthma. But I’m Canadian, so unless I want to be on the treadmill all winter – and I don’t – I have to deal. The key for me is to cover my mouth when I run. I have a Sugoi neck warmer that I love. And I run when it’s -25 degrees or colder here (that’s -13 F) and it’s okay – as long as my mouth is covered.
What I think most folks don’t realize about Portland winters is how damp they are and how that adds to the cold. We have friends from Montana who note that a 30-something degree wet day in Portland feels colder than a below 20-something degree day in Helena. So hang in there, Jessie. Lots of great races to choose from in warmer, drier weather. In the meantime, breathe, baby, breathe!
Oh, I’m so sorry to read about your asthma flaring up in the cold frigid air. BUT at least you figured this out before race day!
You go girl… Don’t let this get you down… 13.1 is awesome no matter when you do it! Pick one out in the spring… You’ll have so much more fun!;) ( just did my first this past December and starting to train for the St. Jude Country Music one in Nashville the end of April… Come join us!).
Bless your heart! Don’t be too hard on yourself…stuff happens. The beautiful thing is you can run, asthma managed. You are already a winner, sister!!