Training in the cold - health issues

[CogitoErgoSum]

A virus gives you the flu, not cold weather. Poor Eskimos woulkd constantly be sick....

 

Correctly so. But cold air can be a contributing factor in dampening the immune system, especially when your body is not used to prolonged exposure to cold moist air.

 

I am just outside Pta - north west towards Brits. Here the air is hot and dry for about 9 months. Winters are cold (more windchill).

 

I just want to prevent becoming snotty (love my snotrockets! LOL), and once a cough is there (ie aerobic ability is affected), you are screwed for at least a month. My lungs are not used to prolonged cold air.

[V12man]

A virus gives you the flu, not cold weather. Poor Eskimos woulkd constantly be sick....

 

Finally - some sense....

 

That said, cold dry air does impact your airways somewhat, especially if you have a predisposition to exercise induced asthma, or very reactive airways - if you do, go and visit a good pulmonologist to assist with that.

 

The bottom line if you are struggling with nasal issues is to get expert help to:

 

a - deal with any infections in the nasal sinuses, or throat

b - sort out any nasal polyps you may have - including within the sinuses

c - deal with any allergic conditions you may have.

 

Then you can train just fine deep into the minus numbers.... you don't think cross country skiers take time off training if it's minus 15 or 20?

 

Certainly, getting cold won't help when you are training, but it won't make you sick per se - one assumes you would be smart enough to dress up properly to avoid getting cold, and if it goes well below zero. then to avoid frostbite on the extremities - frostbite is painful...

[mattieTT]

One thing is a vest (wind proof) to keep the chest warm

2nd in the arsinal of gadgets is the buff. Also use it on the motorbike to keep the cold out

3rd is a new thing I ordered but have not tested yet as I am still under the grip of a cold.

http://www.dx.com/p/...-size-xl-248450

 

did yo u order from dx.com? how reliable are they? $9.42 shipped???

[Cois]

Think I paid less, but I got a medium mask and was blue.

Got it 4 weeks back, so not tested yet. Still a huge fat snot monster.

And I trust them. Ordered a lot of items. Only one item was stolen by the SAPO

Waiting for another order that is held by SAPO because they want to know what is in the package

Edited April 22, 2014 by François Marais

['Dale]

Exposure to extreme can lead to health issues.

 

Cycling collar or buff - protects the nasal and mouth passages from the direct airflow.

Base layer and gilet - layer up as it is much chillier at speed than standing still.

 

In sub 10, I also wear a cycling equivalent of a beanie or a cycling cap.

 

In sub 10, I use earphones or cotton wool to plug the ears.

[mattieTT]

Think I paid less, but I got a medium mask and was blue.

Got it 4 weeks back, so not tested yet. Still a huge fat snot monster.

And I trust them. Ordered a lot of items. Only one item was stolen by the SAPO

Waiting for another order that is held by SAPO because they want to know what is in the package

 

that is great news, thank you. will keep you posted on how my order goes...

[RockCoach]

In cold minus numbers I pull a buff over the mouth and ears. Warm breath contained inside keeps the throat warm too. When i commuted throughout winter I used to stuff newspaper between layers on my chest and remove half or more when it got warm.

[jcza]

Its only cold once a year in Jozi and that is when the Walkerville race is on.

[RocknRolla]

Gotta love the Engrish

[Jakkals.]

Exposure to extreme can lead to health issues.

 

Cycling collar or buff - protects the nasal and mouth passages from the direct airflow.

Base layer and gilet - layer up as it is much chillier at speed than standing still.

 

In sub 10, I also wear a cycling equivalent of a beanie or a cycling cap.

 

In sub 10, I use earphones or cotton wool to plug the ears.

 

I wished you said this a year ago, last year August went out for a cold winters thursday morning ride, I had flu for the passed 2 weeks and it was TransBaviaans on the Saturday. so I had to ride, just to feel if the legs were there. I felt my left ear had a hectic "wind noise" and till today its still not 100s. Started fast and furious in the baviaans and after 4km felt like I was dying, lactic acid got the best of me and I wanted to quit right there and then. I soldiered on with stiff legs and a sky high heart rate all the way. just couldnt drop my partner who trained all winter.

Edited April 22, 2014 by antonj

[Wuzzie]

no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing

Great thread as im a big winter riding fan

[Cois]

Gotta love the Engrish

You must see the user manuals. That is nothing compared to what you get with China...

[Cois]

In sub 10, I use earphones or cotton wool to plug the ears.

I had a set of rather good sealing earphones. Will have to use the Apple earphones now. But this for some reason helps a lot to warm the ears. Not sure why...

[blondeonabike]

A virus gives you the flu, not cold weather. Poor Eskimos woulkd constantly be sick....

A virus gives you the flu, not cold weather. Poor Eskimos woulkd constantly be sick....

If u got school going kids, good luck! genuine, especially if they are in preprimary! They just keep bringing the germs home! Wash hands often and get a dishwasher!

[V12man]

If u got school going kids, good luck! genuine, especially if they are in preprimary! They just keep bringing the germs home! Wash hands often and get a dishwasher!

 

And give everyone in the family a flu shot - every year.... especially the kids.

 

Wont stop them getting flu, but will reduce the incidence.

[SwissVan]

I've been told by local yocals that breathing cold air excessively can weaken your immune system because it causes congestion in the nose / upper respiratory tract which reduces the virus "filtering" function normally associated with nose....

 

The congestion as in excessive mucous definitely happens, the udder bit I'm not so sure Darren...

 

To be safe, always use a IDT