Running 5Ks & Sprint Triathlons

Posted by cooperfitz @cooperfitz, Jul 22 11:35am

Recently diagnosed with Interstitial Fibrosis. Training for races has become very difficult over the past 3 months. After medium exertion for 60-90 seconds my fingers & lips turn blue, my finger SPo2 device indicates a level below 70% and I have to slow down and in some cases sit down to recover. After resting for 3-4 minutes I can go again. My pulmonologist hasn't indicated I shouldn't be chasing my fitness goals.

Has anyone else experienced similar challenges?

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stevelc | @stevelc | Jul 23 9:27am

I hope that your pulmonologist has you on O2. That is a very dangerous O2 level. If not, then you need to get a new doctor. During a walking test in my doctors office, after reading my O2 levels around 80, the nurse stopped me. At that time they did additional testing with the spirometer. That day I was prescribed 02 for sleeping at nights and also whenever I am not sitting. That was about a year ago and my Copd hasn’t gotten as bad as yours. The levels you describe can lead to heart, brain and other organ damage.