Runners who smoke?

I had a buddy in college who smoked probably two or three packs a week and probably 3 or 4 bowls a day and ran 14:50's for 5k and 25:10 or so for 8k.

Back in the 70's, the Canadian Marathon Champs were

won by a full time smoker.

Hephaestus wrote:

So are any of you serious runners out there also everyday smokers (cigarettes)? I am curious if it's possible to run sub 18 5k times or equivalent over other distances, with smoking everyday (even if its 1-2 cigs a day)

Why would you wonder this?

Smokers are without question the biggest idiots on the planet and obviously do not care about the quality of their lives as they near death.

Most serious runners are done by age 35, so if a runner (you or someone else) plans to be a smoker and a runner, you've now established the habit, and when running ends, there's no real reason to hold back on the habit, so 2 cigarettes a day ends up being a pack or more.

Smoking is utter stupidity...I don't ever think it should be illegal, but every time you buy a pack, the seller should have to by law say, "Nice purchase dumba$$".

ok guys

peter maher

weighed over eighteen stone.................

smoked 60 cigarettes a day and regularly drank up to fifteen pints of stout on a daily basis.........lol

10th at the wc marathon 1993.............

2:11:46 london marathon..............

you heard it here

http://www.tipperarystar.ie/sport/peter-maher-1-3763556

I am 21 years old and have been smoking 1 pack of marlboro reds or equivalent every 1 to 2 days for the past two and a half years. I've been a lifelong runner but have had trouble with consistency. After almost a year and a half with no consistent training I picked it back up in august 2015 running 30-45 miles per week. (still smoking) in October I ran a 5k on the O'hare airstrip and clocked a 16:43.... Hence, sub 18 and even 17 is more than viable.

** Although not recommended may I add. o.O

I know many runners who smoke, but I decided for myself I need to quit, almost got rid of addiction thanks to disposable electronic cigarette ( https://gypsyvapes.com/sea-disposable-vape-pods ). I just began to feel the negative impact of smoking on my breathing and lungs in general, I can't gain weight when I want, have bad sleep and bad appetite.

I smoked 20-40 a day back when I was 19-20. Decided to run again at 20 so cut back to 3-10 a day. I should of just quit. Smoking 3-10 a day is harder to do than quitting. Anyways I was pretty fast while smoking then. 29:30 10k's, low 14's for 5k's.

After smoking for 25 years of at least a pack a day I decided to try running again. When I started I could only do repeats of 100m jog with 100-200m walk. The 100m was because I was completely out of breath after around 60m and pushed through the last 40m.

I'm somewhat better now but my cardio is about 1/4 of what it should be for my training.

I'd listen to Flagpoles post. If you smoke quit. If you do not smoke, do not start.

Bill Rodgers. He wasn't a life long smoker but smoked for a little while. He wasn't a smoker once he got serious about running again after college.