With Spring comes many changes

           I hate to keep beating a dead horse so to speak but I thought Spring was supposed to start! I’m really getting tired of running in the colder weather these days however with the coming of Spring comes some changes we have to endure. April usually means putting up with more rain but at least its warmer, or lets hope so anyway. The beginning of Spring for me and many like me brings the dreaded allergies. Mine are more annoying then a major problem, but some allergies can trigger more serious ailments like asthma. The itchy, watery eyes are all part of the miserable  symptoms that crop up on us quickly. Sometimes severe sinus pain can accompany the other symptoms as well. There are some remedies and things you can do to combat the early Spring allergies. Here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years.

           Many over-the-counter drugs are out there and that’s usually the extent of my medication except for some type of nasal spray. However, most of these type medicines cause drowsiness and dry mouth. (definitely something I don’t need during one of my runs). Drugs like Claritin or Zyrtec are much more effective. My allergy season is a little strange; it almost has a certain starting point and an exact ending. (usually the fourth of July) I’ve never gotten into the allergy shot stuff. I had friends who got them and they were sneezing and wheezing just as much as me. I avoid running my wooded area routes due to the high tree pollen count. I’m not a morning runner but if you are be aware that the ragweed pollen will be more prevalent than at any other time during the day. I also use a non-allergenic pillow case while sleeping. Naturally staying indoors in air conditioning is best so if the pollen gets to be too bad then retreat to a fitness club or your own treadmill for awhile.

Another tip that seems to work for me is to put a little vaseline around my nose to help catch any pollen particles that float by. Always shower after a run almost immediately due to pollen being caught up in your hair.

           Another Spring problem is the change in temperatures. More often than not it always gets too hot too fast leaving very little acclimation period. It usually takes a good ten days to two weeks to acclimate. This is always my biggest fear at the end of May when the Ogden 20k race rolls around. If it gets hot, it usually spells trouble for many of the runners. I recommend that you at least try to run in the heat of the day a few times to get aquatinted with the warmer temperatures. Some of you that workout in the morning will be used to those cooler temperatures so re-adjust your schedule if want to get used to the heat.

           I don’t know about you but Spring like weather can’t come soon enough. I know by August I’ll be complaining that it’s too hot. Oh well. See ya on the roads.