running in coldweather

hi can anyone assist

really struggling with running in the cold on chest and lungs can anyone help

with advice

cheers

I don't wish to sound glib, but this is why I run on a treadmill in a gym during winter. For all the 'Youre not a real runner' comments you get, the bottom line is why wreck your lungs and get sick breathing in sub zero wind for an hour or two at a time?

So thats my solution, use a gym until it gets a bit warmer.

I don't seem to suffer any effects from breathing colder air - it rarely gets below freezing, and your lungs should be able to deal with it.

What effect is it having on you?

If I had a choice between not running, running on a treadmill, or running outside in a gimp mask, I would choose ......

While searching, I found FAQ.org and the World of Sport Science. In their article on "Cold Weather Exercise" they site the following tid-bits of comforting information and something to consider:

"Cold weather affects the bodily systems in different ways. The cardiovascular system, the heart-connected network of vessels that distributes blood throughout the body, responds to cold stimulus by increasing blood pressure and heart rate, and reducing the amount of blood closest to the skin surface. The airway passages of the cardiorespiratory system, which governs the breathing mechanisms, tend to narrow, making the inhalation of air more difficult. Persons who are susceptible to asthma or exercise-induced bronchitis have greater difficulty breathing in cold air. The bodily stores of glucose, stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles and converted to the energy component adenosine triphosphate (ATP), are depleted approximately five times more quickly in cold weather, a circumstance that forces the body to switch to the conversion of body fat to ATP for its energy requirements."

Several reasons why I don't bother racing long distances in the cold.

Strange how it doesn't define "cold" in degrees C though.  I've been suffering from breathing issues/cough after yesterdays sub 4 degrees C 10K race (in which I struggled due to the cold air, wind and rain but got a PB) - never done so before, but then never gone all out in that temperature before.

Running in cold weather can feel a bit tight on the chest if you go straight at it, for me warming up is more important than ever, a gradual walk jog run then it feels fine, same for slowing down

Hey Folks - I was just searching the forums for some advice on managing cold and wet running conditions.. I always feel a bit tight in the chest if its very cold out but I've taken to wearing a thermal neck warmer which seems to help (I guess just by keeping my chest and throat warm). Agree with EKGO - warming up is really important. I am training for the Jurassic Coast "Ultra" (3 marathons in 3 days) and last weekend tackled my first set of Back 2 Back 2 Back runs.. Sat was a drizzly 22miles, Sunday - bitterly cold and wet 14miles and Mon - freaking freezing sleat 11miles.. I clearly don't have the right shell layer as I was soaked through by the time I finished all runs.. Any tips on managing layers, best waterproof jackets?  I also read the other day to avoid cotton underlayers as they hold sweat then feel wet.. (I discovered this to be true by mistakenly wearing a cotton singlet under my merino wool layers.. Sorry if my questions are slightly off track - but might be related to your question Martin?

AC - you may be interested in this

gear for girls has a ronhill trail tempest jacket (which had good reviews in trail running mag) for about half price! http://www.gearforgirls.co.uk/ronhill-ladies-trail-tempest-running-jacket-black/ but they only have size 14 left!

Best way I've found to manage the ice wind when it affects me is to use my buff like a scarf and pull it up and over my mouth and nose to just take some of the chill away.