runners help me!!! PLEASE

nygiantschick
nygiantschick Posts: 289 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
okay...so after a 3 month hiatus I am back to running. I am used to running in warmer weather (east cost hot humid summer runs). Now that the air is cooler and less humid I've noticed that I am able to run very well in the cooler weather (although I am doing more mouth breathing because nasal breathing burns-did not have the prob in the summer). BUT when I come home...I feel great, runner's high ALL of that...but I end up with this annoying cough for about an hour or two afterwards. Is this normal or is it something that will go away?

I'm going to google it to do some more research but was hoping to see if anyone else experiences this first hand with seasonal changes. I want to keep up the cool weather runs to keep my conditioning for the spring/summer race season and I have NO interest in treadmills or running indoors!!!!

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Replies

  • shovav91
    shovav91 Posts: 2,335 Member
    Hmm, I've never experienced coughing after a run; no matter what the weather. I would say go to a doctor. The only thing I can think of is exercise-induced asthma, but I really hope that's not the case! I hope everything turns out ok.
  • garlic7girl
    garlic7girl Posts: 2,236 Member
    Well, I ran with the PG County running club and they taught me a lot. I did a program in the winter (boy was that stupid frigid cold last year) anyhoo, we were taught that nose breathing is better bc it warms air before entry to the lungs. Hard yes but better yes bc the nose is also a filter for germs etc. Also, when mouth breath you allow cold air to the bronchi...and constricts them I believe and it irritates them...hence the coughing. Sorta why when I was a school nurse I would encourage my little asthmatics to wear masks cover mouth or a scarf around mouth to prevent them breathing in cold air.
    Let me know what google says too. Happy trails!
  • sharesb
    sharesb Posts: 416 Member
    Not probably the most positive answer but I can't run outside in the cooler weather because I have asthma that flares up from exercise in cold weather. I did a half marathon last weekend ( temperature probably about 40F) and couldn't stop coughing all night. After sleeping and resting, the next day I was good. Sucks. And I live in Canada where we have winter six months of the year...augh. Needless to say, I run a lot on the treadmill....
  • nygiantschick
    nygiantschick Posts: 289 Member
    thanks everyone....very helpful
  • cpar621
    cpar621 Posts: 26
    I'm originally from Maine, so I've definitely experienced this. Now that I live in Texas it's not so bad.

    Cold is constricting, that's why we put ice on our knees after a long run to constrict blood vessels and prevent inflammation. When you're breathing in cold air, all of the little pockets in your lungs tighten up and can make it more difficult to take a deep full breath, which sometimes results in a cough. When it's really cold, I wear an extra long neck warmer that covers my mouth so when I breathe in it's warm air. Breathing through your nose does a little bit of the same thing, but I have never been able to do long runs breathing only through my nose. Also try drinking a glass of warm water or warm gatorade when you get home.

    Try this out and let me know if it helps!
  • cpar621
    cpar621 Posts: 26
    One more thing. If your cough persists (and if it's just a light congested cough), try those mentholated shower tablets that activate from the steam in your shower...they're AHmazing.
  • BlueLikeJazz
    BlueLikeJazz Posts: 219 Member
    I was wondering the exact same thing today. I pretty much ran for the first time (although I am used to a lot of other heart-pumping cardio) and I felt great while I was doing it, really no coughing then, but as soon as I got home and breathed the warm air in the house, I started hacking. And same here, it lasted about 2 hours, the coughing and clearing my throat. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one.
  • gp79
    gp79 Posts: 1,799 Member
    When I get a good run in, I sometimes have a little cough afterwards. Nothing chronic or severe though. I've always just thought it was some "stuff" breaking up in my upper respiratory system. /shrug
  • tuneses
    tuneses Posts: 467 Member
    When I get a good run in, I sometimes have a little cough afterwards. Nothing chronic or severe though. I've always just thought it was some "stuff" breaking up in my upper respiratory system. /shrug

    Same here
  • peaceinside
    peaceinside Posts: 272
    Well, I ran with the PG County running club and they taught me a lot. I did a program in the winter (boy was that stupid frigid cold last year) anyhoo, we were taught that nose breathing is better bc it warms air before entry to the lungs. Hard yes but better yes bc the nose is also a filter for germs etc. Also, when mouth breath you allow cold air to the bronchi...and constricts them I believe and it irritates them...hence the coughing. Sorta why when I was a school nurse I would encourage my little asthmatics to wear masks cover mouth or a scarf around mouth to prevent them breathing in cold air.
    Let me know what google says too. Happy trails!

    WowZa did all of this just open my eyes in a huge way. I grew up having asthma and was in the hospital more than not. Was always a fat little girl to top it off. Anytime I tried to run or was forced to by a teacher I'd have an attack and be down. This past month I have been trying to jog on the tread mill and tell my partner daily that I can't imagine running out side. It has always just brought fear thinking about it. Light bulb moment...the fear is from my child hood experience with asthma and running out side. I now have inhalers and will probably make that my next personal goal, to try running out side (with my inhaler) and nose breathing or covered mouth. Thanks! Peace! :flowerforyou: P.S. I jogged 2.3 miles today, at the gym!
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