Air Quality Awareness Week—Runners Wanted
About the author: Andrea Drinkard is Web Content Coordinator in EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation
I’m a runner. I wasn’t always a runner. But, after my first race this spring, I had to admit it. Running may have been an easy sport to pick up when the first marathon was run in Greece, but today there are many more considerations.
First, what shoes do I get? Are they light and supportive? Will they match my clothes? Sorry, I had to throw it in there.
Then you have to decide where to run. I love that I live so close to the city, but that also means I’m surrounded by busy roads and traffic. On my first run at my new house, I decided to just explore the neighborhood. After a mile, I noticed that it wasn’t as easy as it used to be.
Was I out of shape? Maybe it was just a bad day. After a couple more bad runs, it dawned on me. Maybe it was running next to a busy road.
Running near busy roads exposes you to higher levels of air pollutants. And breathing dirty air makes it harder to do just about everything. So, I made a few changes. I looked for routes that were in or near a park or on back roads. I even woke up earlier so I could beat the traffic.
But it’s not just busy roads that can affect air quality. Air pollution comes from many other sources. And it changes every day, so just like I check the weather, I started checking the Air Quality Index. For me, poor air quality days don’t mean skip the run, they just mean take it easy, slow the pace or cut the distance.
EPA uses a color-coded guide: green means the air quality is good, red means it’s unhealthy for everyone to breathe. You can check it on the Internet, sign up for daily emails, or check out your local weather report.
Cities across the country also have Air Quality Action Days. These days tell you when you should reduce your contribution to pollution. One of he easiest ways to do that is to leave the car at home. You can take public transportation or carpool.
Poor air quality can happen year-round, so no matter when you’re outside, check the AQI.
April 27 – May 1 is Air Quality Awareness Week.
amarendra padhi
Apr 28, 2009 @ 11:19:48
i always use public transport,and nearest distances, i go by walk. If we plan the works early and accordingly execute it helps a lot and can reduce the pollution to a great extent…regards……….A.Padhi.
Amrita
Jun 29, 2009 @ 09:34:37
Hi !
There are a number of different benefits which an individual can gain from running. There are some runners who run simply for the joy of running but there are others who run because they realize there are a great deal of benefits which can be gained from rigorous exercise such as running.
Some of these benefits may include weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, improved bone health, improved mood and better coordination.
With Regards
Amrita
Weight Loss Paul
Sep 18, 2010 @ 09:15:52
Me and my friend run 5 miles, we are fortunate enough, because we have a great space of wild forests just around the corner, so the air is always good. But I have a good tip for all of you who want to go running for weight loss. For a runner that’s after high quality air – it’s best to run right after rainfall or very early in the morning, before all the street traffic goes wild. Durring that time all the heavy substances and toxins are flushed down or naturally fall down over the night. The air is best after the storm, though as we all know
Jessie
Aug 10, 2009 @ 18:13:27
I’ve never been a runner. In fact I’m more into crossfit combined with other HIT training styles. However, I recently took up trail running at night with friends wearing headlamps. I have to say, it’s an exhilirating way to burn fat and build lean muscle! Props to running!
~Jessie~
Jaruso Motivation to Lose Weight Fast
Oct 04, 2010 @ 18:54:17
I was a runner in grade school but now I gained weight. I always look for the best way to loss weight that’s why I started running every week and make this my habit. I just need to motivate myself to do this and hopefully I will be rewarded with this effort. Just want to stay healthy like before.
fil
Oct 22, 2010 @ 18:59:57
I take alot of supplements to hit the gym but I love running because it gets me out doors and i can just zone out and get a good workout
Lucia
Oct 23, 2010 @ 06:20:18
The truth is, that there is a TON of information available, and there are a TON of different ways to produce the results you want, and to lose as much weight as you want. The key is to really understand why a diet or exercise routine works.
Len
Nov 02, 2010 @ 05:43:31
I used to run a lot when I was young, and then when I got Older I used to rung for fitness. Use to run quite a long way, 3-4 Km but as i got older, i got more injuries. So now I don’t run at all. Got a bad knee.
Regards Len
alex
Dec 29, 2010 @ 10:42:44
I love to run almost everyday ,i live close to a park so the first thing i do in the mornings is to drink my cofee or tea after that I dress up with a t-shirt ,som Gym shorts and some atheletic shoes and i go for a 30 minutes run ,its vert healty but you have to be motivated.
Fadi
Dec 30, 2010 @ 03:44:32
I love this article!It does promote health and fitness.
Tom
Feb 14, 2011 @ 18:22:14
I run outside in the city and when I hit traffic times I can tell the extra pollutants but only in certain types of weather. Luckily I can hit my treadmill when it is bad outside. But I wonder, on the days when I can’t sense it, probably because of dry weather, is the pollution still there? Maybe I should stick more to the treadmill. : )
smith
Mar 14, 2011 @ 23:10:41
great info, will try it sometimes
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May 27, 2011 @ 08:07:05
The great benefit of running is that it tones your cardio and keeps you in shape. If you have an overweight problem, I believe the best solution begins with running!
http://howtoburnandlosefat.blogspot.com/
Nov 07, 2011 @ 05:52:36
Also when running, I chose to take an uphill route as that really pushes you and strengthens and stretches other muscles.
http://yourbestweight.info
Oct 02, 2011 @ 05:46:58
Regular Running or even fast walks are very useful to be healthy and also to lose weight.
I am lucky to have a dog that wants to have regular outside exercise and make me too have some regular walking and running
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Oct 27, 2011 @ 15:27:03
I’ve never been a runner. In fact I’m more into crossfit combined with other HIT training styles
http://howtoburnandlosefat.blogspot.com/
Nov 07, 2011 @ 05:50:49
I’ve respiratory disorders, so whenever I used to run, I used to get these bouts of short breaths. I used to run in the evenings as I hate waking up early.
One day, for a change, I decided to run early morning and surprisingly I realized that I didnt have any problems breathing. Initially I thought it was due to the level of pollutions being down in the morning but I believe there is something else also. Maybe, the prolonged rest helps you, I’m not sure though.
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Dec 12, 2011 @ 07:02:00
good website thaks to share me!
golf
Dec 13, 2011 @ 04:33:44
One day, for a change, I decided to run early morning and surprisingly I realized that I didnt have any problems breathing. Initially I thought it was due to the level of pollutions being down
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Dec 13, 2011 @ 04:37:02
The great benefit of running is that it tones your cardio and keeps you in shape.
howii.org
Dec 14, 2011 @ 01:43:09
I’ve never been a runner,The great benefit of running is that it tones your cardio and keeps you in shap
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Jan 24, 2012 @ 08:05:37
greats Thanks
sbobet
Jan 25, 2012 @ 08:50:21
Approximately how many hours a day exercising it. It has a good shape
nicky
Jan 25, 2012 @ 09:27:45
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Feb 04, 2012 @ 10:54:59
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jode
May 10, 2012 @ 11:25:57
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Mariaa
Jun 12, 2012 @ 05:36:50
For a runner that’s after high quality air – it’s best to run right after rainfall or very early in the morning, before all the street traffic goes wild. Durring that time all the heavy substances and toxins are flushed down or naturally fall down over the night.
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Jun 16, 2012 @ 11:36:05
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yode
Aug 26, 2012 @ 01:32:26
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Oct 10, 2012 @ 10:36:05
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bolafifa
Feb 28, 2013 @ 06:14:10
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fit strong
Jun 28, 2013 @ 07:30:56
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Weight Loss freak
Sep 29, 2013 @ 20:53:38
Hi,
Awesome post but what about people who are overweight and cannot do the things you have outlined. We have to think about them as well.
It would be nice if one could start a topic on about how to motivate obese people to try and follow a diet or weight loss program rather than the program itself. I personally feel the the battle is lost when people arent motivated.
There are so many diet/weight loss programs out there to choose from that can really get overwhelming. My advice is to find a program that you think would be suitable and then stick to it. I did it and won that battle. Heres a short video which might help someone
Gary Jones
Dec 31, 2013 @ 10:22:25
Great post showing how important it is to get off the street in order to run. I know it’s not always possible for everyone but we should bear in mind the damage that we do to our lungs when running in the street. Just for the record, Next year, Air Quality Awareness Week will be April 28 – May 2, 2014 .
http://www.healthgeeknation.com
Feb 18, 2014 @ 17:47:15
Public transport is a good solution, but only for those inside the city limit
Angeline
May 05, 2014 @ 11:16:26
Running is a very good ways to stay fit and healthy.. But the location you choose to run is also important.. Avoid places that have bad air index because we breath the most during our run.
Angeline,
insurancewhisper.com
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