how much does smokey air affect performance?

Check the air quality where you are, if you don't suffer from any respiratory issues stay under 150, but if you do play it by ear, maybe under 60-80?

From what I read the 2.5u particles can have some very bad long term effects on your health. Do a bit of reading online. Stay safe

https://aqicn.org/city/california/contra-costa/concord

To clarify, the damaging particles are in microns, you can't see them. But if you can see larger particles the odds are the amount of small ones is gigantic. Check the AQI

Smoke can cause temporary or permanent lung damage. When you're running, you're breathing in a LOT more air and breathing deeper than the average person.

If I were you, I'd try to run where the air is better... closer to the ocean maybe? If the smoke is bad enough that some people are wearing masks, I personally wouldn't run in it.

Don't run outside.

Seriously, don't. I'm in Oregon, and the air has been terrible. You can't see/smell the 2.5 micron particles that cause the real damage. Take a couple weeks off, it will be fine to have a break (even though I have cabin fever) and you won't risk long-term damage to your health.

Gross air wrote:

Don't run outside.

Seriously, don't. I'm in Oregon, and the air has been terrible. You can't see/smell the 2.5 micron particles that cause the real damage. Take a couple weeks off, it will be fine to have a break (even though I have cabin fever) and you won't risk long-term damage to your health.

The Bay Area is not Oregon. The air quality is not that bad currently.

Guys, the link above tell you the AQI right where you are to help decide if you want to go for a run.

Many stations measure the 10u and 2.5u levels so click around where you are running

just some real thoughts wrote:

Gross air wrote:

Don't run outside.

Seriously, don't. I'm in Oregon, and the air has been terrible. You can't see/smell the 2.5 micron particles that cause the real damage. Take a couple weeks off, it will be fine to have a break (even though I have cabin fever) and you won't risk long-term damage to your health.

The Bay Area is not Oregon. The air quality is not that bad currently.

Good call - its in the 50s around SF which I would totally run in. I don't run in anything above 100 though, and just the other day I looked (have friends in the bay) and it was closer to 160. I'd just recommend checking the AQI regularly because it changes with wind shifts.

As others have said, micron sized particles and chemicals get deep in your lungs, and your lungs don't move them back out. So, the question I have is this: What is a good way to get rid of that accumulation of bad stuff? Isn't that what a good chest cold does for you? Empty out the chest cold fluids and wash out the other crap at the same time? Or, go on a hard long run on a cold damp day, to help fill your alveoli with water vapor which might flush out the lungs? Any respiratory therapists here? What do you do?

Answering my own question: Seems like doing "controlled coughs" is the way to help clear the crap out of your lungs. Use a broncodilator to relax things, then lean over and cough 3 times, using folded arms to assist coughing effort. First cough loosens, the second and third expels. Don't cough too hard, or bronchial constriction will occur. Breath slowly through your nose, between coughs, to reduce the chance of back flow. Google it. Probably good to know, even for those without COPD.

AQI below 100: OK to do long runs and hard workouts

AQI between 100 and 130: OK to do moderately hard runs

AQI between 130 and 160: OK to do easy, short runs

AQI above 160: Run indoors or drive to somewhere with a better AQI