Can you run after smoking 20 yrs and quitting?

I have no idea how long, but I'm sure over time you will improve. FWIW, I'm not a smoker and running is tough on the lungs for me, because I don't think my lung capacity has improved much yet. But it's getting there and I'm sure it will for you too. Try to pace your breathing... I do two paces inhale, two paces exhale. And maybe just start with a light jog.

Good Luck with QUITTING!!!! )

I saw a noticeable difference after 2 or 3 weeks, but it took me about 9 months to be able to breathe like I did before I started. I only smoked about 3 years though.

if you want the truth, I would talk to your dr. they would know best the condition of your lungs and how it will affect you the most.

I don't do a lot of running (agrivates my knee) but I do a lot of other cardio especially Zumba. And I started this before I quit smoking.

January I realised I needed to change - I was overweight and utterly, utterly unfit, smoking between 20 and 40 cigs a day & drinking far too much. I'd get out of breath climbing a single flight of stairs.

So, week one I stopped drinking. Week two I started watching what I ate. Week three, started walking. Week 4, Zumba. When I got to Feb 1st, I stopped smoking. And have never looked back. I've seen improvememtns in fitness and energy week on week. I've cut down on the cardio now to concentrate on strength, but at my highest level of cardio I was doing Zumba 4 times a week, C25K 3 times a week and taking the dogs on loooong walks daily.

Good luck with the non-smoking. It is the single best thing you could do for yourself. Feel free to friend me if I can be of any support

Everyone is different so really you are the only one who can answer this question. If it were me, I also quit smoking recently (3rd time quitting for about 2 weeks now cold turkey), I would start with a brisk walk. If you can handle that, work your way to a short job, then a short run. Gradually increase the distance and pace as you are comfortable with it. If you seem to be having issues, as a doctor to check you out and make sure you are ok. Smoking may have damaged your lungs and you may need an inhaler. Hope that helps!

I'm on 35 hours after quitting smoking and hoping I kick them this time, but does anyone know how long it will take to be able to run again or if its possible when I get winded so fast just with walking right now?

According to http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Benefits_Time_Table.html

2 weeks to 3 month your lung function will improve

Within ...
20 minutes
Your blood pressure, pulse rate, and the temperature of your hands and feet will all return to normal.
8 hours
Remaining nicotine in your bloodstream will have fallen to 6.25% of normal peak daily levels, a 93.25% reduction.
12 hours
Your blood oxygen level will have increased to normal and carbon monoxide levels will have dropped to normal.
24 hours
Anxieties peak in intensity and within two weeks should return to near pre-cessation levels.
48 hours
Damaged nerve endings have started to regrow and your sense of smell and taste are beginning to return to normal. Cessation anger and irritability peaks.
72 hours
Your entire body will test 100% nicotine-free and over 90% of all nicotine metabolites (the chemicals it breaks down into) will now have passed from your body via your urine. Symptoms of chemical withdrawal have peaked in intensity, including restlessness. The number of cue induced crave episodes experienced during any quitting day will peak for the "average" ex-user. Lung bronchial tubes leading to air sacs (alveoli) are beginning to relax in recovering smokers. Breathing is becoming easier and the lungs functional abilities are starting to increase.
5 - 8 days
The "average" ex-smoker will encounter an "average" of three cue induced crave episodes per day. Although we may not be "average" and although serious cessation time distortion can make minutes feel like hours, it is unlikely that any single episode will last longer than 3 minutes. Keep a clock handy and time them.
10 days
10 days - The "average ex-user is down to encountering less than two crave episodes per day, each less than 3 minutes.
10 days to 2 weeks
Recovery has likely progressed to the point where your addiction is no longer doing the talking. Blood circulation in our gums and teeth are now similar to that of a non-user.
2 to 4 weeks
Cessation related anger, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, impatience, insomnia, restlessness and depression have ended. If still experiencing any of these symptoms get seen and evaluated by your physician.
21 days
Brain acetylcholine receptor counts up-regulated in response to nicotine's presence have now down-regulated and receptor binding has returned to levels seen in the brains of non-smokers.
2 weeks to 3 months
Your heart attack risk has started to drop. Your lung function is beginning to improve.
3 weeks to 3 months
Your circulation has substantially improved. Walking has become easier. Your chronic cough, if any, has likely disappeared.
1 to 9 months
Any smoking related sinus congestion, fatigue or shortness of breath have decreased. Cilia have regrown in your lungs thereby increasing their ability to handle mucus, keep your lungs clean, and reduce infections. Your body's overall energy has increased.
1 year
Your excess risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke has dropped to less than half that of a smoker.
5 to 15 years
Your risk of stroke has declined to that of a non-smoker.
10 years
Your risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer is between 30% and 50% of that for a continuing smoker (2005 study). Risk of death from lung cancer has declined by almost half if you were an average smoker (one pack per day). Your risk of pancreatic cancer has declined to that of a never-smoker (2011 study), while risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus has also declined. Your risk of developing diabetes is now similar to that of a never-smoker (2012 study).
13 years
Your risk of smoking induced tooth loss has declined to that of a never-smoker (2006 study).
15 years
Your risk of coronary heart disease is now that of a person who has never smoked.
20 years
Female excess risk of death from all smoking related causes, including lung disease and cancer, has now reduced to that of a never-smoker (2008 study). Risk of pancreatic cancer reduced to that of a never-smoker (2011 study).

Update for everyone. I met my weekly mileage last week for the first time. I ran 8.5 miles last week in 3 runs. I can still feel way out of shape, but the lungs are starting to free up a bit more.

You will improve over time I did and here's my story. I started smoking at 14 started smoking weed and taking acid at 15 by 17 I was also drinking and using extacy and coke did all this every day till I was 20 oh I was over weight too after going to jail I quit everything except smoking cigs eating fast food soda and beer by 25 I was 6"2' tall and 350lbs I stayed that way till 28 at that piont my wife had gastric bypass and I said fine u do that ill fix my self I quit smoking gave up soda learned how to cook healthy foods bought a treadmill and weights I'm now 30 down to 210 can run 4 miles in about 30 min and feal great wish I could do it all over again and have started this years ago.