Exercise induced rhinitis- bit of a moan.

[Amieet]

Hello all!

I have had hay fever a few times in the last couple of years (more inflamed eyelids that nose though! I’ve been taking nasal spray & antihistamines, just in case). However the running issue occurs outside of hay fever season- even in the middle of winter!

Nose breathing is practically impossible, but on top of that, I’ve recently tried to take on energy while running (with the intention of progressing to half marathons), but I find it really difficult to take food/gels because my nose is so blocked I have to breath through my mouth- which is obviously harder when you have a gobful of flapjack/gel!

I cut short today’s run out of frustration (made better by the beautiful view!). Thanks for reading!

So, I wondered if anyone else suffers with the above, and what you do to cope on longer runs?

Thanks for reading my moan 😅🙈

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Wrap around sunglasses..nivea under the nostrils..wear a cap..pollen gets in the hair..x

[Amieet in reply to Oldfloss]

Any recommendations for sunnies with a glass or insert? (I usually wear transition contact lenses with a cap). I would like to invest in a good pair but would prefer to be able to use them with and without lenses.

Nivea under the nostrils is a good one! Thank you! (Third reply, and third time saying I had forgot that I posted this!😅)

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Moan away-I’m exactly the same! I feel your pain. I haven’t found any great solutions beyond anti histamines. I just slow to a walk when I’m eating or having a drink. I’ve been experimenting with walk/running a bit and been surprised how I haven’t really been particular slower. Maybe it’s worth ditching keeping running while refilling knowing you’ll make up the time later? That’s worked for me.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I found that so interesting the wk/run on the 10K race... just about to head out and have another go to compare timings... ( not 10K though)

[Amieet in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you (forgot I’d posted this!).

You could be on to something there. I’ve found (since posting) that slowing down has helped a bit but then I’m frustrated at the times- so walking for the minute or so if eating probably isn’t a bad shout!

[SkiMonday Graduate10]

For me, it's a case of taking a small bite then chewing on one side of my mouth. That way, I can still gulp air through my mouth. Not that elegant, but it works.

Also, I cut up a flapjack into small pieces and use tin foil to wrap them in groups of four. That makes it easier to avoid eating too much at once.

That said, I've found that, with practice, I don't need any fuel for an HM. A bowl of porridge a couple of hours beforehand seems to be enough. Although I do need to drink on warmer days

[Amieet in reply to SkiMonday]

Thanks for the response- I forgot I’d posted this!

I think smaller bites may be the way forward- I’m so impressed that you don’t need fuel! I can’t go any further than 10k without something (not without sleeping the rest of the day, anyhow!).

[Teresa1632 Graduate10]

Not found many solutions, but I definitely recommend taking a man size cotton hanky with you, especially if its going to rain! I duscived that need during my first HM, when it bucketed down, and tissues turned into a soggy mess!(We have a country remedy in Ireland - the sap of a birch tree. But sap rises in Feb March, so you can only get it then & store enough in the freezer to keep going. Or water from a particular holy well is said to cure it for a season - but I haven't tried that one 😁)

[Amieet in reply to Teresa1632]

Very late to reply (I forgot I’d posted this!) That’s a really good idea- I’ve been stuffing yucky tissues in my pockets and emptying them at each bin I come across 😅I may try and get some birch sap next year!