John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." NIV

Monday, February 15, 2010

Runner's Cough?!?!?!

On tonight's schedule for P90X was Kenpo X. Love me some Kenpo X. As I mentioned before, it reminds me of Taebo and Billy Banks from back in the day. Remember him?

I think it is so much fun. It is a combination of "punches" and "kicks". My husband and I pretend that we are "fighting" each other (not literally of course, more like he is an attacker and I am defending myself).

I like the stretches and cool down especially after my morning run. It felt nice to stretch my legs.

For all of my cold weather runners, I have a question for you:

Do you cough after you run outside in the cold air?

This happened on Saturday and today - I cough for like an hour after I stop running. It is a deep, gagging cough. I am sure the strangers that pass me by think that I am going to throw up or something. My husband thinks I should not be running when it is so cold.

So, do you get the "runner's cough"? What causes it? Can you prevent it? Sure, I could google this, but I rather ask the experts in Blogger World!

19 comments:

Paige (The Last Doughnut) said...

I don't know what causes the runner's cough, but ever since I ran outside (in the freezing cold) on Friday afternoon, I have been coughing. One of my tonsils (it feels like) is swollen and irritated. I still ran outside this morning; but opted for the treadmill and elliptical this afternoon. Good luck, and I hope we get rid of it soon!

MCM Mama said...

I cough a bit after running sometimes, but not usually for long. No idea what to suggest...

teacherwoman said...

I hear that some people can get colds from running in cold weather for long periods of time, just an FYI. I would highly recommend wearing a scarf or one of those running masks the next time you run outdoors. I am guessing your temps are pretty cool, but the air is a bit moist, which might be causing this. Or maybe the air is dry, which is causing this cough?!

Just so you also know, there is something called exercise-cold induced asthma. But, I would recommend seeing a doctor before jumping to conclusions... especially if the symptoms persist! Check this out:
exercise-cold induced asthma

Carly said...

I never really experience that but I also was going to suggest that it could be exercise/cold induced asthma...of course I am not a doctor, I just play on on the internet. ha!

sAm said...

The above two had the same concern I have - exercise induced asthma. Through running I found I have asthma. Just to be safe, I'd check with a doc if I were you. Meanwhile, perhaps a scarf or something? I'd be worried about that getting soggy, though. Good luck!

Claire said...

I would cough after running when I first started running outside in crazy low temps. It's gotten better as I've gone along. I'm out in the cold 4 days a week and I almost never cough now. I do take a scarf with me when it gets below 10....

I'm CRAZY about Billy Blanks...still do his stuff at least once a week...that man knows cardio!

Erica said...

I cough after running in the cold! I have recently been wearing a very light scarf over my mouth which seems to help, some! I don't know what it is, I sound like I have smoked for 85 years and I have never smoked a day in my life!

Jocelyn said...

Coughing in the cold is your diaphragm spazzing. Nothing to be worried about, your body is just working really hard. Happens to me sometimes and happens to my sister all the time.

ajh said...

I don't cough from running in the cold. I guess I am used to it! LOL

Anne said...

I do cough after running in the cold, but I always attributed it to my asthma! You mean maybe it's normal :)
...I almost always cover my mouth when it's too cold.

Meg said...

Love Billy Blanks!! And I cough when it's cold. I have asthma though and always figured it was just that. I try to cover my mouth when it's really cold out or run inside.

Kirsten said...

I agree with Jocelyn's comment. The only time I cough while running in the cold is when I'm truly sick with a cough. Maybe you are adjusting and getting used to the colder temps and it will get better. Don't give it up, besides it has to warm up some at some point, right? We're getting closer to March everyday. :)

Michelle said...

I've had it happen after a race where I have been trying to run faster than normal. It usually stopped for me after 30 minutes, though.

J said...

I used to get runners cough a lot when I wouldn't run outside for a while then I would run outside. i would come in from a run and then cough for the rest of the night (or day) This winter I hardly get it. I think it may have to do with the air pressure and stuff and that my body is used to the cold air...not sure though.

Marjolein said...

Runner's cough....there's a name for it? lol
I don't cough often. Once in a while, and then only during the first hour after my run. Warm or cold weather doesn't make any difference to my cough.
I hope I can get back to running tomorrow.

Tara said...

I hacked and coughed like a freaking smoker until I was finally diagnosed with exercised induced asthma a couple of years ago. I'm now on meds and the cold doesn't bother me near as much. It's worth looking into.

Momma Twitch said...

I just came across your blog! Very inspiring. :)

I used to get a cough, but I've found that if I wear a scarf around my nose and mouth for the first part of my run, my lungs don't hurt and I don't get a cough.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Yeah for P90x.

Coughing. Yeah sometimes I get a cough but it is often during the run when my lungs are having a hard time with the cold air. Usually doesn't last.

Hope your not getting sick.

Unknown said...

This just happened to me for the first time tonight. I live in FL so cold weather is not common. I noticed that I was getting so much mucus flowing in my nose and throat. I think I was breathing it in...and then coughing it up. (Sorry, this sounds so gross) I guess the question is: How do we stop the mucus from forming?