Run Yourself Healthy
When I run outside these days it seems like (…and I know that this sounds paranoid) everyone is shaking their heads in disapproval – seriously, doormen, mothers, even the crazy man on the street looks at me like I’m stupid for going out. Obviously the sub 20 degree weather makes it seem like I’m just asking to catch a cold, but Runners World recently published an article that made me feel a little more sane.
Although you shouldn’t take any publication as Gospel (except for The Fit Post, duh) I feel a little better after reading Runners World’s excerpt on how exercising in the cold weather actually STRENGTHENS your heart, quadriceps, lymphocytes and neutrophils (i.e. immune system). These last two immune cells protect the body from infectious bacteria and viruses. The University of South Carolina reports that people who exercise have 20% fewer colds than those that are sedentary. However, and here is where the fine print comes in, strenuous workouts or heavy training 75 minutes or longer can potentially have the opposite effect (supposedly 90 minutes+ leads to a temporary downturn in immunity with carb stores dropping = the body’s system becomes vulnerable and exposed).
This doesn’t mean that freezing temps make the best or worst running conditions – just take some caution when exercising in extreme bouts of weather and you may actually benefit from the results. Have a carbohydrate rich drink before, during and after your run to slow the rise of stress hormones and reduce the risk of offsetting negative immune responses. Experts believe fluids are the fastest delivery system for carbs so make sure to wash down any post run bagel or banana with some H2O. Also, taper your training before a race to let your body repair any damaged muscle-tissue (your body will do this OVER fighting an infection if it has to choose between the two so you want to start race day on a full system).
Moral of the story: if you get to call in tomorrow for a snow day (please God, let this be me) boost your immune system with an outdoor run.
Maggie,
I found your website on Google and have been reading it for about a month. I love it! Keep it going! Hope all is well.
Erin
Erin Balestrino said this on February 9, 2010 at 4:46 PM |