Smoking and running; what can i do about this??

Question

I started to run 3 days ago, progressing from a 6:30 1200m to

a 7:29 1600m and then 6:52 1600m.

The problem is that i have been smoking for 3 years and i really enjoy it (ugh, i know, i'm an idiot). I smoke 1 cig 3 hours before i run and then 1 cig 1 hour after.

I used to smoke 6-7 ciggies a day and since the last 5 days (that i started to reduce my smoking) i see that my lungs are more tired than ever on my 2 last laps. I wish to quit but not SO MUCH.

I still want to have a ciggy or two everyday.. is that ok if i want to drop my mile time to 5:40? i have to do that because i'm going off to marine basic training in 27 days....

PLEASE HELP it's the best thing i believe i would accomplish in my life

Answer 1

Step 1 - Stop smoking.

You can do this by limiting your use.

Ex: Tomorrow you have 6 cigs

Next day - 5

Next day - 4

Next day - 3

Next day - 2

Next day - 1

Next day- 0

Step  2 - Run.

Start out your first couple days with just some long easy runs to get your endurance up.

Pick up the pace each day.

Do some hill runs and youll get faster.

Answer 2

I used to smoke & run when I was in the military... now that I'm out, I just smoke. - I'm soooo stupid.  It's very hard quitting but overall it's the best thing. - Stick with running. Tell yourself you HAVE to choose one, you can't do both. - Good luck.

Answer 3

Good job pushing through it.