less lung capacity = sad.
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: NWNJ
Posts: 3,704
Bikes: Road bike is a Carbon Bianchi C2C & Grandis (1980's), Gary Fisher Mt Bike, Trek Tandem & Mongoose SS MTB circa 1992.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 722 Post(s)
Liked 353 Times
in
226 Posts
less lung capacity = sad.
my lung capacity i fear has diminished to were it is now obvious and that makes me sad. not sure if it is allergic reaction or poor air quality but the past few weeks I have struggled. was feeling strong a month ago.
riding in the crazy heat maybe why but I fear maybe mother nature got me.
riding in the crazy heat maybe why but I fear maybe mother nature got me.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
I think it's all about dealing positively with the changes as we get older. I find that as I became older, I had to raise my handlebars so they are now that more or less level with my seat. Fatter tires became a beautiful thing as my speed went down. I also keep an eye on my intensity level. I still like to go hard but I know my recovery times are longer and I keep any eye on my sleep.
Likes For bikemig:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,619
Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1068 Post(s)
Liked 786 Times
in
504 Posts
my lung capacity i fear has diminished to were it is now obvious and that makes me sad. not sure if it is allergic reaction or poor air quality but the past few weeks I have struggled. was feeling strong a month ago.
riding in the crazy heat maybe why but I fear maybe mother nature got me.
riding in the crazy heat maybe why but I fear maybe mother nature got me.
#4
Senior Member
There are advantages to going slower; all those things you sped by without noticing before are now there to be gawked at. As Monty Python said: "Always look at the bright side of life." 😎 With the 30+ lb tank I ride, going fast has never been an option for me. Just doing 40 miles yesterday took me 4 and a half hours, but it was a fun 4.5 hours, with many white-tailed deer, squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, one groundhog, flowers (where one would least expect them), horseshoe lake, and several interesting characters out on the trail (I know, I'm one of 'em!)
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,599
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 427 Post(s)
Liked 699 Times
in
436 Posts
We've had what the weather folks in this area describe as "Amazon air" or "the air you wear". Dew point has been way up, making it feel lots hotter that the temp would indicate. Air quality has been poor off and on. There have been days where I was really feeling it, even without a lot of exertion. Hopefully, it's the air, and not your lungs. I don't think it's my lungs, but I've felt it more this year that I ever remember in the past. Looking forward to fall.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bristol, R. I.
Posts: 4,340
Bikes: Specialized Secteur, old Peugeot
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 663 Post(s)
Liked 496 Times
in
299 Posts
The slower you go the more you will see. Heat and humidity have their effect but you will inevitably reach a point in your life where going a bit slower will seem a good idea.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
I thought the same thing 3 weeks ago when marathon training started back up and I had to start running again. That first weekend run I couldn't go more than 100 yards trying to hold a pace before I was gasping/couldn't breathe. I starting actively concentrating on my breathing trying to make it as efficient as possible, even exaggerating it to move as much air as possible. I sounded/sound like a fool going down the road, but the problem went away. In fact, once I started doing that, the difference in heart rate was noticeable. The heart rate starts dropping when I step up the breathing efforts. It wasn't that my lung capacity had decreased, it was that I wasn't using it properly. Not even close. I had gotten lazy. Give it a try before you give up.
Edit: I missed the 2nd weekend run. Evidently the first run was so bad, some people thought I needed to see a doctor. At the start of Saturday's run, some of the other runner's ask about my condition. They thought I was having problems on that first run. I'm glad they cared enough to ask.
Edit: I missed the 2nd weekend run. Evidently the first run was so bad, some people thought I needed to see a doctor. At the start of Saturday's run, some of the other runner's ask about my condition. They thought I was having problems on that first run. I'm glad they cared enough to ask.
Last edited by seypat; 07-27-20 at 12:21 PM.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,290
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8279 Post(s)
Liked 9,038 Times
in
4,475 Posts
Have you been checked for asthma or other lung issues? They (docs) say I have asthma and/or COPD. I used the Treligy inhaler for a while 2 years ago and now I use Albuterol before a longer ride and it helps my breathing.
Likes For big john:
#9
Newbie
I think it's all about dealing positively with the changes as we get older. I find that as I became older, I had to raise my handlebars so they are now that more or less level with my seat. Fatter tires became a beautiful thing as my speed went down. I also keep an eye on my intensity level. I still like to go hard but I know my recovery times are longer and I keep any eye on my sleep.
#10
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,534
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3889 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
I think it's all about dealing positively with the changes as we get older. I find that as I became older, I had to raise my handlebars so they are now that more or less level with my seat. Fatter tires became a beautiful thing as my speed went down. I also keep an eye on my intensity level. I still like to go hard but I know my recovery times are longer and I keep any eye on my sleep.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#11
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,987
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6193 Post(s)
Liked 4,809 Times
in
3,317 Posts
I've always felt limited by my lungs. They simply don't blow off enough CO2 and take in enough O2.
It's pretty much the limiting thing for many of the pros too.
I do try on a daily basis to take as deep a breath as I can and then expel as much as I can, slowly. If it makes you cough, then you definitely need to do them regularly. A handful of reps each day does wonders.
I've sometimes tried to see if deep breathing helps while riding for things like climbing at short high efforts. But I get mixed results. Problem usually, I think, is that for me real deep breaths happen at too slow a rate.
It's pretty much the limiting thing for many of the pros too.
I do try on a daily basis to take as deep a breath as I can and then expel as much as I can, slowly. If it makes you cough, then you definitely need to do them regularly. A handful of reps each day does wonders.
I've sometimes tried to see if deep breathing helps while riding for things like climbing at short high efforts. But I get mixed results. Problem usually, I think, is that for me real deep breaths happen at too slow a rate.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Great White North
Posts: 1,226
Bikes: 2013 Cannondale Caad 8, 2010 Opus Fidelio, 1985 Peugeot UO14, 1999 Peugeot Dune, Sakai Select, L'Avantage, 1971 Gitane Apache Standard, 1999 Specialized Hard Rock
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 548 Post(s)
Liked 473 Times
in
302 Posts
I just ride with my phone to record it to Strava and don't bother with a Garmin device (not that those are much help now!!!). The most important thing is get out and ride, no mind blowing epiphany there. Some days I feel charged and take on the hills and any rider that goes past me and other days I don't feel it so I just ride and enjoy the scenery. As I saw in a previous post, you never regret going for a ride but you regret not going. I do find the environment has an impact - hot days really drain me, if not during the ride, then the rest of the day after. High pollen time and my sinuses are stuffed up so that also has an impact. Nothing better than a perfect temperature, no humidity and no wind.
I guess if you are training for a triathlon or race then you are constantly monitoring your effort but that's not for me. Just follow a consistent pattern of getting out and getting exercise and fresh air and keeping the brain sharp by focusing on the road. I'm finding lately that some days my brain is a little slower then it should be but it clears up once I start riding.
I guess if you are training for a triathlon or race then you are constantly monitoring your effort but that's not for me. Just follow a consistent pattern of getting out and getting exercise and fresh air and keeping the brain sharp by focusing on the road. I'm finding lately that some days my brain is a little slower then it should be but it clears up once I start riding.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: NWNJ
Posts: 3,704
Bikes: Road bike is a Carbon Bianchi C2C & Grandis (1980's), Gary Fisher Mt Bike, Trek Tandem & Mongoose SS MTB circa 1992.
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 722 Post(s)
Liked 353 Times
in
226 Posts
I checked o2 pulse ox. 97 so that's good I guess.
#14
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,987
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6193 Post(s)
Liked 4,809 Times
in
3,317 Posts
If you got a O2 checker that is portable, then it might be interesting to check it at various efforts while riding. Not sure about the physiology of what that'll tell us or at what level it's bad and what is great. But it'd be interesting to see if the number is lower when at high effort.
But it definitely would not hurt to ask a doctor about your lungs health. A pulmonologist if you can.
But it definitely would not hurt to ask a doctor about your lungs health. A pulmonologist if you can.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,290
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8279 Post(s)
Liked 9,038 Times
in
4,475 Posts
I don't know but what happens to me is my chest feels tight or it feels hard to take deep breaths. It's not terrible but annoying and when I use the Albuterol inhaler I can cough up some crud and then I can breathe easier. I don't use it all the time but it does help. If I'm riding and I have symptoms I can still ride but I don't feel like my lungs are working well, like you described.
#16
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4560 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
Yeah, my immunologist has done respiratory capacity tests on me this year, two or three times, and says my capacity is good for a 60something y/o. The new nasal and asthma inhalers help some. But I know I can't do what I used to. VO2 Max declines no matter what. I can still manage a good sprint and hard effort for a few minutes, but I can't sustain it for an hour or more now. On group rides with younger folks I fade after about 20 minutes and let 'em go.
I can't do back to back workout rides anymore, but can still manage one good hard ride a week. The rest of the time I ease up and don't worry about turning every ride into a workout.
I can't do back to back workout rides anymore, but can still manage one good hard ride a week. The rest of the time I ease up and don't worry about turning every ride into a workout.
Likes For canklecat:
#17
Let's do a Century
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,316
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 651 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times
in
408 Posts
Heat + Humidity + Older= Lower VO2 & Power.
Just keep your HR down a little lower and keep pedaling!
Just keep your HR down a little lower and keep pedaling!
__________________
Ride your Ride!!
Ride your Ride!!
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 1,673
Bikes: '06 Bianchi Pista; '57 Maclean; '10 Scott CR1 Pro; 2005 Trek 2000 Tandem; '09 Comotion Macchiato Tandem; 199? Novara Road; '17 Circe Helios e-tandem:1994 Trek 2300
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Liked 93 Times
in
61 Posts
my lung capacity i fear has diminished to were it is now obvious and that makes me sad. not sure if it is allergic reaction or poor air quality but the past few weeks I have struggled. was feeling strong a month ago.
riding in the crazy heat maybe why but I fear maybe mother nature got me.
riding in the crazy heat maybe why but I fear maybe mother nature got me.
Likes For Artmo:
#19
Banned
Even after recovering from CV 19, the resultant scar tissue means permanent loss of lung capacity..
#20
Full Member
#21
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,534
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3889 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
97 isn't that great. My asthmatic wife is at 99, as am I. Pulmonologist appointment. My wife uses a peak flow meter. A toot on that thing keeps you knowledgeable about your current ability to move the air in and out.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
Last edited by Carbonfiberboy; 08-04-20 at 04:57 PM.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: TX
Posts: 522
Bikes: Downtube IX NS&FS, Dahon Speed8Pro/Matrix/Curve, Brom S2L,Montague Para, ICE-XL w/Rollie/Schlumpf, Trident Spike, ebikes, BFSatRDay
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 172 Post(s)
Liked 95 Times
in
81 Posts
I would suggest you get yourself a simple spirometer from Walmart or Amazon. With this you can measure your lung function see what is considered normal for your age. I’ve suffered from asthma since age 4 and am now 80, with mild COPD. My lung function is about 70 per cent of what it should be for my age and height, so I know how you feel. These days it takes me two or more Albuterol puffs, 10 miles at 80rpm and 13 mph before my lungs are really working at their optimal level. Frustrating, but there it is.
Great tool with limitations.
Make sure you have a good professional diagnosis.
My buddy's "asthma" on rides, proved to be advanced 4 vessel obstruction and atypical angina.
He did much better after he got a "full metal jacket"
Likes For bikebikebike: