I was just looking at a website for those races where they throw dyed corn starch all over you throughout the race. Some of the pics look like you're in the middle of a coloured dust storm. I can't imagine breathing that stuff in while running. At the every least, it must make you cough or sneeze, and at worst, get in your lungs for awhile and irritate them. Has anyone tried running one of these races, and if so, how did it affect your airways?
For reasons way more numerous than your concern, stay away from color runs. I honestly can't believe that's a thing.
Flagpole wrote:
For reasons way more numerous than your concern, stay away from color runs. I honestly can't believe that's a thing.
What other reasons? They remind me of the festival in India called Holi.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HoliThis is a thread worth responding to. I am a university professor of cardiology and can tell you that cornstarch is an interesting study. We call it a "bear suit" substance. It is of a family of airbornes that when inhaled over a modest period of time will cause permanent conditioning of the lung tissue to form an inner shell of rather inflexible sheathing. In extreme cases it can cause the feeling of being in a bear hug or tight suit. It will not go away. As if that is not enough of a problem, over time this will put pressure on your cardiovascular system leading to increased risk of stroke and heart disease. Baby powder (not the talc kind) and many other household products are in this family. Research shows that it is possible to suffer permanent damage in just a few days of 30 seconds exposure. Granted that is rare (about 500 cases a year) the danger increases as the exposure does. I would never volunteer to run for 40 minutes in these conditions.
President Ford, Willie Mays are two high profiles who suffered for years with this. It is surprising to me that this danger is not better publicized. Take a good look at warning labels that are on the home medics. The warning is starting to show up more there but because of the rarity there is no federal requirement yet. It's coming though. I promise. I'd like to see this repeated on the same stuff in your kitchen.
LungMan wrote:
Flagpole wrote:For reasons way more numerous than your concern, stay away from color runs. I honestly can't believe that's a thing.
What other reasons? They remind me of the festival in India called Holi.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi
The main reason is that color runs are ridiculous. What drugs was the person on who came up with this idea? And who the hell are the people over the age of about 6 who find this fun in any way? "Look how colorful you are!" Good lord.
Flagpole wrote:
The main reason is that color runs are ridiculous. What drugs was the person on who came up with this idea? And who the hell are the people over the age of about 6 who find this fun in any way? "Look how colorful you are!" Good lord.
You're totally right that they're ridiculous and silly. But someone is making a LOT of money on this crap, to which I applaud.
dwightarm wrote:
You're totally right that they're ridiculous and silly. But someone is making a LOT of money on this crap, to which I applaud.
You are right there. Man, whoever had this vision is a true visionary. I never would have thought in a million years that this would happen.