Lots of tears out there today. So many tears. *sigh*
If you are crying because you are actually choking on smoke from the wildfires in California, Colorado and elsewhere, know this: wildfires have always happened. Some would argue that fires today are no worse than they have ever been. *shrug* I have no idea if that is true, I've learned not to argue with my husband, his dad, my dad, farmers, doctors, or scientists.
HERE IS WHAT I DO KNOW:
1. Smoke inhalation is dangerous. If you have the option to run indoors, EXERCISE THAT OPTION, YO. Treadmills are not dangerous. Smoke is. You can't run a sold race if you have COPD, even if you are DETERMINED to get into the Guinness Book of World Records for running a marathon while pushing an oxygen tank.
2. Your run may suck - When air quality is bad, your lungs may not fully expand. Breathing may feel like work, even indoors your jog may feel like a slog. Your heart rate may be way higher because even at rest your body is doing more work than usual. This is happening because your lungs are protecting you, limiting your intake of those dangerous particles into your lungs, which also limits the oxygen your lungs receive with each breath.
3. It's not worth it - the fitness industry is laden with shame and slogans like 'no excuses' that will make you think you're wimping out by staying indoors. This could not be farther from the truth. With limited oxygen in air that is laden with dangerous particles, you're doing more harm than good by forcing an outdoor run. Please arrange your schedule to run indoors, or at least to run in this morning window when ozone is lowest. Just not worth the damage you are doing to your body, otherwise.
Some struggles are unavoidable, others are totally unnecessary. Don't make life harder than it has to be, running in smoke is NOT hypoxic training. (even if it was we still wouldn't do it!)
This piece is EXCELLENT and if you've made it this far, PLEASE take a minute to read it. Charlie Warzel of Galaxy Brain speaks with an air quality specialist in Missoula, MT.
"Part of human nature is that it’s hard to empathize until it happens to you. I think it is still ‘out of sight out of mind’ for people outside this region of the country. Academically, they know fires keep happening. But what people don’t realize is that, when you go in office you are still breathing it. If you live out here, you know it’s bad for you but you can’t get away from it because, well, it is air. It wears on your body, but it wears on you mentally. Because of my job, I know the indoor air quality is not much better than the outdoor air quality. And I’m sitting in it all day. And then there’s the duration. The smoke and fires here started July 8th. And fire season lasts until it snows. In 2017, when it was so bad, we got lucky that it snowed in September. Think about that. We’re waiting for snow to put this out. It’s not great."
I tell you that to tell you this: if you're having trouble getting outside, if you have headaches and are nauseated and just don't feel right atm, that's your body and brain protecting you. It has been impossible to train this summer, and if you don't believe me then check this Runner's World article.
Coach MK Fleming is the founder of Fitness Protection, LLC where she coaches all kinds of runners for $29 per month and gives marathon plans away for free. Click here to download her most popular training plan, Tenacious AF!