I smoke so why do i run i still run fast?

Question

I have been smoking about 5yrs however i am still a pretty fast runner ex. 1mile 5min 5k 16:45 ect. I do kinda feel it wieghing down on me but i am just curious why this is. It seem i know alot of runners that smoke and they are normally faster than the non-smokers. I am sure i would be faster if i dident smoke. Any theories.

Answer 1

Well, as you say, you'd be faster if you didn't smoke. But smoking doesn't mean you can't build up strength and stamina. It just means that your endurance won't be as good as it would otherwise be, because of carbon monoxide in your blood and other health effects.

Answer 2

I had this happen to me also. I put it down to lung capacity and the determination to keep going when I was running. Of course, diets, exercise are all factors in this too. Any depends on how often you smoke, i.e. pack a day, one a day, etc.

Answer 3

your still young give it time it will catch up with you. if you think you can run faster if you didn't then why do you smoke. if you plan on making a career out of running you need to quit.

Answer 4

Perhaps you'd be even faster if you didn't smoke?

I know at some of the 5k's I do, that some people are in the 15 minute range.

Answer 5

Just stop smoking is stupid what is the point !! If you stopped you would be faster my bro can do a mile faster than that and he's 10..............

Answer 6

My husband says there's alot of sports athletes who smoke, and still perform at a high level. Baseball, soccer, and some hockey. So it's not surprising what you're able to do.