One thing that's bothered me for years is that despite training 5+ days per week, my cardio is crappy. I compensate pretty well in class, because I have the technique to be more efficient and use less energy than most of my sparring partners. Still, it would be nice to have the kind of cardio conditioning I'd need to go to tournaments and compete against other guys at my skill level. In recent years, though, whenever I make the commitment to an intense cardio training regimen, I seem to end up getting sick with some sort of respiratory infection that takes weeks or months to fully clear up.
Finally, thanks to tests ordered by my new family doctor, I have an explanation. Turns out I have asthma. Also bad acid reflux, which exacerbates said asthma. I had no idea. I guess maybe my fitness level is good enough that it masked the symptoms well enough so none of my previous doctors caught it.
Now that I have medicines to treat the underlying problems, I plan on seeing how far I can develop my cardio this year and maybe start competing again occasionally.
Finally, thanks to tests ordered by my new family doctor, I have an explanation. Turns out I have asthma. Also bad acid reflux, which exacerbates said asthma. I had no idea. I guess maybe my fitness level is good enough that it masked the symptoms well enough so none of my previous doctors caught it.
Now that I have medicines to treat the underlying problems, I plan on seeing how far I can develop my cardio this year and maybe start competing again occasionally.