Running in the cold?

[Vulxai]

You know, just out of curiosity, how would running in the cold affect your running ability? When I've had to run in the cold weather, my throat gets cold, and it makes it harder to breathe. Would running more in the cold prevent that/prolong the effect and possibly make running in nice weather/hotter weather easier?

[Gandalf14141]

Breathe in through your nose and out your mouth. It warms up the air so your throat won't get dry.

[Aiel]

^that.

 

Also in extreme temps (<-10F) Wear a balaclava and cover your mouth/nose with it. It will moisturize and warm the air as it comes through, respirators also work but there kind of a pain in the ass, and I doubt your running in cold enough temps for it to be necessary.

[Guy]

I know when I moved from a warm climate to the UK, I found it quite hard to adapt. As you said, my throat got really dry and made it hard to breathe. It's quite a bit easier now though, I think my body's become used to it.

However, running when its really hot is difficult too, you just overheat. There's a balance somewhere.

[BLaSpHeMy]

When I run in the cold I tend to use a Balclava if its below freezing which it is at the moment. Otherwise I tend to get a sore throat and its not so good for your lungs I think.

[Myweponsg00d]

As others have said, cover your mouth with something like a balclava so that it will warm the air.

[Sam]

Do what others have said, but if you have any respiratory problems like asthma, it's best to find an alternative method of excercise.

 

The cold air constricts the airways in your chest and throat, so that's why you are finding it hard to breathe.

[Powman3]

The reason why it gets so hard to breathe is because the air is thinner, so there's less oxygen. When it starts getting warmer, you'll find that you'll be able to run better.

 

If you're running in weather below freezing, wearing a balclava. Those help.

[Vulxai]

Do what others have said, but if you have any respiratory problems like asthma, it's best to find an alternative method of excercise.

 

The cold air constricts the airways in your chest and throat, so that's why you are finding it hard to breathe.

 

No, I don't have asthma.

 

And thanks, I'll grab a balclava.

[aquariusman]

The reason why it gets so hard to breathe is because the air is thinner, so there's less oxygen. When it starts getting warmer, you'll find that you'll be able to run better.

 

If you're running in weather below freezing, wearing a balclava. Those help.

Please source this. The only explanation I can think of to go along somewhat with your claim is that colder temp = dry air = less O2 absorption in lungs = less blood O2. But as far as I know, cold temperatures do not produce lower levels of O2 in the air. I believe you're flasely associating lower temp with lower O2 because as you increase altitude, you decrease temp and O2 levels.

[KittyKat]

Drink some warm tea before running, and wear a ski mask or something to cover your mouth. Make sure to keep your feet dry so apply foot powder gingerly prior to running.

[Powman3]

The reason why it gets so hard to breathe is because the air is thinner, so there's less oxygen. When it starts getting warmer, you'll find that you'll be able to run better.

 

If you're running in weather below freezing, wearing a balclava. Those help.

Please source this. The only explanation I can think of to go along somewhat with your claim is that colder temp = dry air = less O2 absorption in lungs = less blood O2. But as far as I know, cold temperatures do not produce lower levels of O2 in the air. I believe you're flasely associating lower temp with lower O2 because as you increase altitude, you decrease temp and O2 levels.

 

It's not that cold itself produces less oxygen, it's just that the air is thinner so you have less oxygen being supplied to your lungs.

 

I have a hard time running in the cold for that reason alone.Trying doing a high intensity mile in 45 degree weather or colder, and you'll see what I mean.

[Surprise]

The reason why it gets so hard to breathe is because the air is thinner, so there's less oxygen. When it starts getting warmer, you'll find that you'll be able to run better.

 

If you're running in weather below freezing, wearing a balclava. Those help.

Please source this. The only explanation I can think of to go along somewhat with your claim is that colder temp = dry air = less O2 absorption in lungs = less blood O2. But as far as I know, cold temperatures do not produce lower levels of O2 in the air. I believe you're flasely associating lower temp with lower O2 because as you increase altitude, you decrease temp and O2 levels.

 

 

Warmer air increases the rate of diffusion in the lungs and therefore a greater supply of oxygen to the muscles for aerobic respiration.

 

(Pretty sure the cold has a higher density (thicker) than the warm air: Heat provides energy therefore atoms spread out more, while cold air provides less energy so the spread of atoms is far smaller and hence denser. Or I am barking mad at 2am?)

[Powman3]

The reason why it gets so hard to breathe is because the air is thinner, so there's less oxygen. When it starts getting warmer, you'll find that you'll be able to run better.

 

If you're running in weather below freezing, wearing a balclava. Those help.

Please source this. The only explanation I can think of to go along somewhat with your claim is that colder temp = dry air = less O2 absorption in lungs = less blood O2. But as far as I know, cold temperatures do not produce lower levels of O2 in the air. I believe you're flasely associating lower temp with lower O2 because as you increase altitude, you decrease temp and O2 levels.

 

 

Warmer air increases the rate of diffusion in the lungs and therefore a greater supply of oxygen to the muscles for aerobic respiration.

 

(Pretty sure the cold has a higher density (thicker) than the warm air: Heat provides energy therefore atoms spread out more, while cold air provides less energy so the spread of atoms is far smaller and hence denser. Or I am barking mad at 2am?)

 

If it was thicker, it'd be easier to breathe.

 

You must be barking mad at 2am :)

[aquariusman]

The reason why it gets so hard to breathe is because the air is thinner, so there's less oxygen. When it starts getting warmer, you'll find that you'll be able to run better.

 

If you're running in weather below freezing, wearing a balclava. Those help.

Please source this. The only explanation I can think of to go along somewhat with your claim is that colder temp = dry air = less O2 absorption in lungs = less blood O2. But as far as I know, cold temperatures do not produce lower levels of O2 in the air. I believe you're flasely associating lower temp with lower O2 because as you increase altitude, you decrease temp and O2 levels.

 

 

Warmer air increases the rate of diffusion in the lungs and therefore a greater supply of oxygen to the muscles for aerobic respiration.

 

(Pretty sure the cold has a higher density (thicker) than the warm air: Heat provides energy therefore atoms spread out more, while cold air provides less energy so the spread of atoms is far smaller and hence denser. Or I am barking mad at 2am?)

 

Thank you.

 

 

If it was thicker, it'd be easier to breathe.

 

You must be barking mad at 2am

So you're saying that just because it's harder to breath, cold air must be thinner? Very dry, hot air is just as hard to breath, does that mean that it's thinner as well?

[Surprise]

So i'm not barking mad at 2am?

[aquariusman]

So i'm not barking mad at 2am?

Who knows.

[Hobgoblinpie]

I've spoken to some strongmen about training in the cold, and they generally agreed it was worth doing at least once. It makes you fight for breath and circulation more thus improves endurance.

 

http://www.menshealth.co.uk/fitness/cardio-exercise/the-ice-edge

[Powman3]

If it was thicker, it'd be easier to breathe.

 

You must be barking mad at 2am

So you're saying that just because it's harder to breath, cold air must be thinner? Very dry, hot air is just as hard to breath, does that mean that it's thinner as well?

 

I find it easier to breathe in a hotter climate than a colder one. But that's just me.

[aquariusman]

If it was thicker, it'd be easier to breathe.

 

You must be barking mad at 2am

So you're saying that just because it's harder to breath, cold air must be thinner? Very dry, hot air is just as hard to breath, does that mean that it's thinner as well?

 

I find it easier to breathe in a hotter climate than a colder one. But that's just me.

I'm in no way disagreeing with you. I'm just saying that you're reasoning has a major flaw.

 

You're saying that just because it's harder to breathe (Getting less oxygen), there's less oxygen to be breathed. What Standard_Pix said agrees with my knowledge, that a higher temperature facilitates diffusion of oxygen in the lungs (Better O2 absorption). I disagree with your reason as to why it's harder to breathe in colder temperatures.

[sithlord_man]

I prefer running in the cold more than running in the heat. I found that I run much much slower in hot temperatures than just running in winter weather. In fact, I believe some of my best times are better when I ran in cold temperature. Once your muscles warm up, I find it helps loosen them a little to help me go a little faster. Then again, I prefect a middle ground.

 

But being from California, the temperature rarely drops below 40 during the day...I wouldn't consider it cold, but it feels cold to me.

[Vulxai]

Yeah I'm from South Dakota, so I can get plenty of cold running in.