Is there such a thing?

Yesterday I was out for a run (and kicking ass, by the way; I made a personal best time on my 5k), and I was doing a gentle cool-down mile around the neighborhood. I passed a bush that was obscuring my vision, and out of nowhere, this medium-large dog started barking and growling and approaching me in a threatening manner. It was chained up, but a quick assessment clearly showed that the chain was long enough for it to easily cross the sidewalk and then some.

I immediately stopped, and when it didn’t quit charging me, I started backing away in a scrambly fashion. I lost my footing on the grass (the grass between the sidewalk and the street, which was still within the rude dog’s reach) and fell on my butt. I wasn’t hurt, just shaken up, and I managed to get out of the dog’s zone and continued my jog.

However, despite not being all that physically challenged, I could barely get a breath. I felt like there was a mesh screen over my throat and I had to struggle to force air into my lungs. It was quite similar to how I’ve heard an asthma attack described. I just took it easy, and in a minute or two, all was normal again.

I’ve never had asthma in my life, and I don’t think it was exercise-induced because I exercise all the time and this has never happened before.

This article indicates that stress-induced asthma exists, but usually in combination with another trigger. I guess exercise + stress could count. I’m not going to give up exercise, though. I guess I’ll have to give up stress. Step 1? Keep to the north side of the street when I’m running on Brookside.

I would also like to express my appreciation for dog owners who teach their dogs the skills necessary to live in a human society, and who don’t leave their dogs bored and alone, tied up in a yard, with only innocent passing joggers to harass for entertainment. There are some very nice dogs in my neighborhood with very thoughtful, responsible owners. I wish all dog owners were that way.