Outdoor training in the cold.

[Su lin]

I have been trying to keep up with running over the winter and usually have to go out at night.The last few times however have really messed with my chest. I get really wheezy and it feels pretty painful when it's cold out. I have mild asthma and am generally pretty fit, but as soon as I push myself outside it gets painful.
Anyone have any hints or tips on what I can do to improve this?

[Yohan]

My MMA coach has the same problem, and uses a mask similar to this one:

http://www.exo-pro.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4

[adouglasmhor]

You know what to do Lou, either treadmill indoors or alpine skier , don't mess about with your asthma please.

[Su lin]

My MMA coach has the same problem, and uses a mask similar to this one:

http://www.exo-pro.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4


Ooooh I would look like a ninja :D

And yeah Doug I see what you mean :( It's odd it seems to have come back this year even though I feel pretty fit. I wonder if it's worth changing my schedule to get it in when it's not as cold?

[tomass911]

Use a scarf and have it upto your mouth if you dont wanna look like you just burgled someones house and your running away? :P

[Yohan]

Use a scarf and have it upto your mouth if you dont wanna look like you just burgled someones house and your running away? :P

There is neoprene material in the mask that warms the air, but allows moisture to escape. it's actually a special design, meant for this kind of thing.

[Moi]

Go swimming instead

[Yohan]

Go swimming instead

Yohan likes.

[Kurtka Jerker]

I've got asthma and regularly spar and run for a long time outdoors in cold weather during this time of year. The best thing for me is to just go out, work until it starts to kick up, and then rest (outside) until it goes away. I'm consistently problem-free after that. You may have different results, but it's surely worth a shot.

[Ranzan]

i run all year round up here in he great white north, try wearing under armor long underwear ect., seems to help me

[Su lin]

Thanks guys! I would go swimming MD but I don't like it. I know I should do it to help my core stability, I just can't get along with it :(
I'm due to go out tonight doing some hill work/intervals. Will try the scarf thing and take it a bit easier till I get warmed up.I tend to go out all guns blazing rather than working up to a decent tempo as the first hill is about 400 metres from my house.

[PASmith]

Light a cigarette and hold it in your mouth constantly. On each "in" breath actually take a drag on the ciggie and it'll warm the air up before it reaches your lungs.
As soon as one fag runs out pop another one in and light that.

:)

[Su lin]

Lol :D Thanks for that!

*goes off to buy a pack of cigarettes.................*

[WalkingThePath]

I would recommend wearing extra layers to keep your core warm. Hats and gloves are essential as you lose most of the body heat through those extremities. Try to keep your core warm and hopefully your chest will be alright.

An alternative to the cigarette idea is to have a fishermans friend or other strong mint in your mouth, I find this helps me when I'm trying to power through a cold or chest infection -- just opens up the airways a bit more!!

Other than that, hit the treadmills or try longer intervals of rest.

[Su lin]

I went out the other night, just did a shortish decent paced run- kept my hood up and wrapped up and seemed to be better. Think I may stick to flatter routes in the cold and work on my pace,and keep the longer hill training to during the day or when it's milder.Annoyingly though mild here at the moment usually means rain !

[wires]

I don't recommend running in the cold. Your knees and joints are much more apt to wear and tear when they are cold.

However, it is my favorite time to run.

[forero]

Do you do breathing and warm up exercises outside in the cold air before running?

[noober]

i would consider finding a treadmill. i ran outside for years but you can adjust to treadmill running... i remember running in south korea when it was 5 degrees outside and it was terrible...go indoors

[adouglasmhor]

i would consider finding a treadmill. i ran outside for years but you can adjust to treadmill running... i remember running in south korea when it was 5 degrees outside and it was terrible...go indoors

That's a balmy summers day in Scotland.

[Ad McG]

There are indoor, limited-space options to running that are viable if you want but it depends on your goals. What do you actually want to get from running?