It may be your fitness level? I had no problem returning to competitive running after smoking regularly for a few years. I still smoke socially on a occasion and run competitivly.
It may be your fitness level? I had no problem returning to competitive running after smoking regularly for a few years. I still smoke socially on a occasion and run competitivly.
Smoking may or may not have had a long term negative impact on you. But what you are most likely feeling now is the effects of a non-transitory period of inactivity. As other posters said, keep at it 6-8 weeks and you will likely see significant improvement. I might also add that diet is exceedingly important - not only for keeping the weight down but for feeling good and avoiding colds and illnesses. I can't emphasize enough the importance of eating well - particularly lots of fruit and vegetables and an absolute avoidance of fast or processed food - you will feel better with a proper diet and run easier too.
I don't think weight is a problem for me since I am 5'11 and 130lbs but I reckon that there is plenty of truth in what you say about healthy eating and general lifestyle. As a smoker and student(I am currently a grad student in England), I also tended to drink alcohol reguarly, which i suppose may impact heavily on my fitness too.
On a different note- Has anyone got any more info on Pete Maher? How he trained when coming back to fitness etc?
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Go read "How to Become a Champion" by Percy Cerutty or "Why Die, the Story of Percy Cerutty" by Graem Sims. Cerutty was in horrible shape and I am pretty sure he smoked before becoming involved with running a second time. He was THE MAN.