runners/mouth breathing question

TrailRunner61
TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
This past summer/fall I completed c25k and now I'm working on 5k to 10k. I mostly ran outside and loved it. Now that it's cold out, Ive been using my treadmill. It's OK, but gets so boring, even with music. I tried running outside but because I have to breathe through my mouth, the cold air kills my lungs. I can't wear a scarf over my mouth because I just feel like I can't get enough air and I can't stand the heat/moisture from it. I also have hotflashes so there is no way I can wear something/anything around my neck. I'd end up killing someone, ripping all my clothes off and scaring small children.
Also, I breathe fine and can go 4 miles without being out of breath so that is not why I mouth breathe. It's mainly because I broke my nose years ago.
I guess my question is..would you have surgery to fix your nose just so you could run in the winter and/or, is there some kind of cloth I could wear over my mouth to warm the air without making me feel like I'm going to suffocate?

Replies

  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    Thank goodness I'm not the only one.... I have a TINY nose and TINY airways in my sinus. I SNORE (my poor hubs).

    When I run, I HAVE to breathe out of my mouth.... otherwise I can't get enough air. :(


    I've been to the ear nose and throat dr, and they tried giving me a steroid, and that's about it. :(

    Maybe try this? (TEE HEE HEE):

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/114849261/pattern-adult-crochet-beard-hat-pattern?ref=similar_items_sash
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    The body will breathe however it needs to get in the amount of oxygen that it needs. I can't even imagine thinking about mouth vs nose breathing when running. Just breathe. Let it happen. If it hurts your lungs when the air is cold, maybe ask your doctor about exercise induced asthma, which can be triggered by the cold air.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    When I was young, I'd get horribly wheezy from playing outdoors in the winter, and my doctor said it was cold induced asthma and suggested I use an OTC inhaler.

    When I first started running outside about two years ago, I (sshhh... I know it's wrong) took a hit on my husband's asthma inhaler from time to time, but I don't need it anymore. I've gotten used to it.

    But it might be worth checking with your doc to see if they'd suggest anything medically.
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    Thank goodness I'm not the only one.... I have a TINY nose and TINY airways in my sinus. I SNORE (my poor hubs).

    When I run, I HAVE to breathe out of my mouth.... otherwise I can't get enough air. :(


    I've been to the ear nose and throat dr, and they tried giving me a steroid, and that's about it. :(

    Maybe try this? (TEE HEE HEE):

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/114849261/pattern-adult-crochet-beard-hat-pattern?ref=similar_items_sash
    Ha ha, that's cute. lol If they could make one that looks like the guys on Duck Dynasty, they'd probably get rich.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Have you tried to push through it? The first mile or so for me in cold weather is always a struggle in this regard... mouth dries out, throat burns, but it passes as my body gets warmed up and in rhythm. After that, no problems and I can go as long/far as my legs will take me.
  • Im_NotPerfect
    Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
    Thank goodness I'm not the only one.... I have a TINY nose and TINY airways in my sinus. I SNORE (my poor hubs).

    When I run, I HAVE to breathe out of my mouth.... otherwise I can't get enough air. :(


    I've been to the ear nose and throat dr, and they tried giving me a steroid, and that's about it. :(

    Maybe try this? (TEE HEE HEE):

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/114849261/pattern-adult-crochet-beard-hat-pattern?ref=similar_items_sash

    I am the exact same way. I can NOT breath out of my nose when I run. I'm a total mouth breather when running! I personally wouldn't have surgery simply because it's not cold ALL year long. Seems pretty drastic...
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    The body will breathe however it needs to get in the amount of oxygen that it needs. I can't even imagine thinking about mouth vs nose breathing when running. Just breathe. Let it happen. If it hurts your lungs when the air is cold, maybe ask your doctor about exercise induced asthma, which can be triggered by the cold air.
    Thanks. I do have asthma but I don't feel wheezy after a cold air run, it just hurts. I'll try using my inhaler and see if it helps. My Dr. would probably just tell me to run inside. ugh
  • dare2love81
    dare2love81 Posts: 928 Member
    This is the reason I run on a treadmill in the winter. Yah, it's definitely more boring, but my muscles don't respond well in cold weather - it takes me way too long to "warm up" and get on with my run. I'm also not a fan of the burning in my nose and lungs when the temp really drops.

    And also, because of my work schedule, I'd have to run in the dark - also not a fan of that.
  • al369
    al369 Posts: 170 Member
    I haven't figured it out. I run on a treadmill in the winter. If I run outside in the winter I can't breathe through my nose (it just pours snot the whole time, gross) and mouth breathing is painful. I like running, but not enough to endure that.
  • Bossit
    Bossit Posts: 118 Member
    I think its just a matter of practice, this is my first winter and I've been running steadily. You can also buy really thin face masks that are designed to help with the cold air.
  • lawkat
    lawkat Posts: 538 Member
    People tend to not realize that your body has to get used to the cold air, just like you the body has to get used to the heat. It takes a bit of an adjustment, but it will get better. I know the first time or two when the weather gets below a certain temp, my lungs hurt a bit from the cold, but then it goes away. Just keep getting out there and doing it and it will get easier.
  • Aliciaaah
    Aliciaaah Posts: 379 Member
    I have to breathe through my mouth when I run too.

    Also, a few weeks ago I got a bit sick and it wasn't bad, but my throat would dry out constantly and it was impossible to run!

    What I did was chew gum on my run. Especially in the beginning when the flavor is really strong it will keep your throat coated. It helps for it drying out and because the saliva you're producing is warm it kinda helps with that too.

    You might even want to consider bringing an extra piece of gum for longer runs. I suppose you could use cough drops but those are hard and could get dangerous..
  • numsquat
    numsquat Posts: 133
    I use a hinged balaclava http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpage-ATLTHO.html . I keep it over my mouth for about the first mile and then I pull down off my mouth once I'm warmed up. The air is cooler but not cold breathing through it, it's kinda a tweener to help the lungs adjust. It's also nice to pull back up after running as I do a cool down walk.
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    I use a hinged balaclava http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpage-ATLTHO.html . I keep it over my mouth for about the first mile and then I pull down off my mouth once I'm warmed up. The air is cooler but not cold breathing through it, it's kinda a tweener to help the lungs adjust. It's also nice to pull back up after running as I do a cool down walk.
    Thank you! I'll check it out.

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