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.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
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.
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
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~
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 :)
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.
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
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.
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
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.
I love this article!It does promote health and fitness.
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. : )
great info, will try it sometimes
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!
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
I’ve never been a runner. In fact I’m more into crossfit combined with other HIT training styles
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.
Also when running, I chose to take an uphill route as that really pushes you and strengthens and stretches other muscles.
good website thaks to share me!
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
The great benefit of running is that it tones your cardio and keeps you in shape.
I’ve never been a runner,The great benefit of running is that it tones your cardio and keeps you in shap
greats Thanks
Approximately how many hours a day exercising it. It has a good shape
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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.
Thank so much for a nice article. :)
Ok Thank so much for a nice information. :)
Thank you for information
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