Getting in shape for track

[Molly07]

Track is comming up in march and I need to get in shape. I have asthma which makes everything 10 times harder than it already is. I tried running outside today and could only do 3 blocks. It was about 45 degress outside too. The air is just so hard on my lungs that I have to stop. When I got home, I did an hour on the bike which was fine. I'm just wondering what I should do to get my lungs in shape for track.

 

[Trent2]

I also have asthma, and thus have trouble running in the cold as well. Because of this trouble, I really only run outside when it is about 60-80 degrees. I know it isn't the same, but is there a treadmill that you can run on, or maybe an indoor track? As far as treadmills, I've read that if you increase the incline a bit that it can better simulate actual running conditions.

 

[gbpackerfan]

Other Cardio

Another thing that you could try for cardio is circuit training with light free weights or body weight exercises. Jumping rope, pushups, crunches, jumping jacks, wall sits, etc at one minute intervals for a half hour or so will help your lungs, and if you can mix any free weights into the circuits, that will help with injury prevention.