I've been running again. But the weather outside is frightful. So I've been wearing nice winter running gear and it keeps me at a good temperature. My problem is that the cold is KILLING my lungs. When I finish my run, it feels like they're bleeding. To help them, when I get home I run the shower really hot, and I breathe in the steam. That helps, but I'm looking to skip the whole "excruciating pain in the lungs" step.

Any other cold-weather runners out there?

Stay in. Watch TV. Eat Doughnuts.

My motto:
"No Pain - No Pain"

I run 3 days a week and lately it's been cold here (close to freezing), but I don't have that problem.....

You may want to ask the same question at the Runner's World Forum

I'm not exactly a runner but I do cycle in the cold and I get a similar problem.
What I have found is that you are either pushing yourself too hard for the conditions. If your'e anything like me you don't want to tone it down get something to cover your mouth and nose. As you exhale it warms it and helps you breathe warmer air. I would suggest something lightweight like a balaclava.

Yep, cover your mouth and nose--and focus on breathing in through your nose, as the sinus cavities will warm the air faster. Reduce the amount of exercise, and try to go when it's warmest. Breathing in super cold air is hard on your lungs, so if you're feeling any symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, don't run outside! Exercise indoors, and at a lower intensity.

I run and bike--this is the advice my doctor gave me.

Isn't that a Greek pastry?

Try walking. My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. Now she's 97 years old and we don't know where the hell she is.

Not too sure on your definition of cold here - I run or x-country ski every day here (unless it's below -30 with windchill), and the cold has never bothered me or my lungs.

I'd recommend a scarf or balaclava, to keep you a bit warmer.

I think I might just be well acclimatized to running when it's winter, though.

lol--cold is relative.

Just to clear up my previous mistake:

Balaclava -


Baklava -


The former, though less delicious, would be more helpful than the latter.

so baklava = delicious, and balaclava = ninja mask?

Yep. That pretty much sums it up.

Whatever you do, don't try and eat baklava while wearing a balaclava; it can get messy.

This might sound dumb...

If you have have access to a treadmill, run on the treadmill for 2-3 minutes, then go outside to run. This will acclimate your lungs to the increased aerobic requirements before you also expose them to the cold. It'll make the burn of the cold a LOT less when you go outside.

Yeah, I know the irony... If you have access to a treadmill, why not just run on that the entire time? :P But if you prefer outdoor running, that'll end up being a good compromise for your lungs.

Funny you mention it. I do have one. I can't run on it though bc it's really crappy and old and the belt sticks when I put my feet down running faster than 5mph. Makes using it a bit tough.

That whole lung issue is a hard one. Mine hurt so bad after I run in the cold that the pain follows me for weeks. I'm going to start running again soon and I will let you know what I come up with.

Advice = Wait for Summer!

I could see my breath as I left the house this morning, and by the time I got to the top of the ski hill it was so cold and windy that it was painful.

I don't need advice, I just figured that this was an appropriate place to whine.

It was snowy up top, and I only went to the top to be an a*****e to myself, and it wasn't fun. And it's almost July, and the ski hill isn't that high. Snow? WTF? I just wanted to make my morning run a super hard workout, not a freaking winter trekking expedition.