Years of smoking hinder progress?

Ososlo

I'd be interested to hear some opinions. Do you think years of smoking causes irreparable damage to a runner's lungs that will ultimately hinder progress? Or can all the damage be undone through consistent training and the ex-smoker can run as well as if they never smoked?
yes I'm an ex-smoker

martyboy48

The lungs are about the best organs in terms of recovery from smoking from my understanding/from what I read somewhere. Not sure if extra training will speed up this recovery though, I think it's just time? Other areas which may be more of interest would be vascular problems. Clogging of arteries ect. This could be more of a problem as there isn't a pill/timeframe for this to remedy itself.

All in all though, I'd say there are two main points. 1 How long/how many have you been smoking and 2 what level/times are you hoping for...

You're genetic make up would have as much of an impact on recovery from smoking as anything else.

In summary, there are a lot of variables, but I wouldn't be using the fact of me being an ex smoker as an excuse for lack of progress, I'd look at my training first..

(Off the smokes since may and this is just my opinion with 'some' personal experience..)

plodder

martyboy48 wrote: »

The lungs are about the best organs in terms of recovery from smoking from my understanding/from what I read somewhere. Not sure if extra training will speed up this recovery though, I think it's just time? Other areas which may be more of interest would be vascular problems. Clogging of arteries ect. This could be more of a problem as there isn't a pill/timeframe for this to remedy itself.

All in all though, I'd say there are two main points. 1 How long/how many have you been smoking and 2 what level/times are you hoping for...

You're genetic make up would have as much of an impact on recovery from smoking as anything else.

In summary, there are a lot of variables, but I wouldn't be using the fact of me being an ex smoker as an excuse for lack of progress, I'd look at my training first..

(Off the smokes since may and this is just my opinion with 'some' personal experience..)

I'd agree with all that, but apparently there's some evidence that elevated HDL ("good" cholesterol) caused by frequent, sustained and moderate exercise (ie typical distance running training) does have an ameliorating effect on "bad" cholesterol levels. Another really important thing, is regular blood pressure tests imo.

Clearlier

He has been mentioned many times before but Steve Way was a 20 a day man a few years ago. He's now run 2:19 for the marathon a few times and looking for another PB this year at the age of 38.

rasher_m

I would say it interferes with the breathing. I'm not so sure that my lung capacity will ever be as good as a non smokers no matter how long I'm off the fags.

T runner

I was a twenty a day man i guess (sometimes 10, sometimes 80), between ages of 15 and 29. Marathon pb last year in 2:35 aged 39. Should have done it in half the time (5 years not 1.17.30). The lack of exercise during the smoking years had a greater significance to the aerobic system than the smoking.

Its good that you are thinking in terms of damage fixing. That means that mentally you are not a smoker any more,well done. When you really give them up you KNOW it.

Ososlo

rasher_m wrote: »

I would say it interferes with the breathing. I'm not so sure that my lung capacity will ever be as good as a non smokers no matter how long I'm off the fags.

This is what I fear. I feel my breathing very heavy during hard sessions and races. Seems to be worse than people around me.

Ososlo

T runner wrote: »

I was a twenty a day man i guess (sometimes 10, sometimes 80), between ages of 15 and 29. Marathon pb last year in 2:35 aged 39. Should have done it in half the time (5 years not 1.17.30). The lack of exercise during the smoking years had a greater significance to the aerobic system than the smoking.

Its good that you are thinking in terms of damage fixing. That means that mentally you are not a smoker any more,well done. When you really give them up you KNOW it.

now this is heartening
My smoking history and age would be similar to yours.
I'm aiming for a 4 hour marathon this year.

Off them 14 months and realised today that I haven't thought about them in days, maybe weeks! I KNOW the reason I stayed off them was cause I took up running and replaced smoking with running. Just wish I had done it many many years previously

Tom Joad

For what its worth I'm off them 12 months (was a 20-30 a day smoker for about 12 years) and never looked back. I was running for about 2-3 years before I quit - i know sheer madness!!!!

The difference between my breathing after a run/training/ exercise is night and day from when i was smoking. No expert and can't back it up with scientific evidence but I feel that I've repaired a lot of the damage I done with smoking.

T runner

Ososlo wrote: »

now this is heartening
My smoking history and age would be similar to yours.
I'm aiming for a 4 hour marathon this year.

Off them 14 months and realised today that I haven't thought about them in days, maybe weeks! I KNOW the reason I stayed off them was cause I took up running and replaced smoking with running. Just wish I had done it many many years previously

You have plenty of time. Just enjoy it now...the more air (miles) you get through those lungs now, the fitter youll get.:)

martyboy48

Something which I look to on occasion just to use the timetable to spur me on and keep me focused...
http://whyquit.com/whyquit/a_benefits_time_table.html

boodiebhoy

Was a regular smoker for years, started nicking my dads fags at about age 9. Gave them up at age 31, 12 years ago and gradually got into running then. Have had a 10 mile and 5 mile PB already this year and really enjoying running more every day. Giving them up is the best thing you will ever do and your times will improve.

tenreds

I used to smoke 30 to 40 a day,I'll be off them a year next week and I think the damage can be turned around,I started running in March and the improvement in my breathing is unreal.I have so much to thank running for.

Ceepo

Another ex smoker here, around 20/30 a day for about 13/4 years.

Gave up in late twentys and started to run to try help stay off them, and it worked:D,

Still running now on early 40's, i know i know you would think so:D,

As for repair, thing's will improve as for been perfect probably not, as i have Asthma now, go figure,

On Aerobic capacity, it should be noted that this is only 1 part of your training,
Having a big capacity is is very helpful but so is running economy, proper structured training, and rest and recovery,

Keep the faith stay training, make realistic targets both short term and long term.

But them most important thing is to ENJOY YOUR RUNNING

FrClintPower

i'm similar, gave up the fags in june 2010 after 20+ a day for 15 years, started running last june and find it great. stopping smoking was surprisingly easy for me (at the Xth attempt) and it turns out i'm not as inherently unfit as i thought i was. definitely feel staying off the smokes will get me back to a "never-smoker" condition in the next few years. and staying running will help with that...