A question for the ex smokers here.
Discussion
How long was it before you noticed your lungs being able to sustain exercise that your body was capable of?
I gave up about 8 - 10 weeks ago (deliberatly not counting as I don't want reminding) and whilst my legs are stronger, to push on, my lungs can't keep up with the demand. if I cycle at the rate my legs are happy with, I'm spent in 10 mins, but if I cycle at the rate my lungs are happy with and not breathing like an asthmatic pump, I'm slow, very slow.
For the last few rides I've had the feeling my legs could do more, but forgot about it as I've been off the bike for a couple of weeks. Today was a test ride over a 5 mile circuit, after a bike fit and within a few minutes of being out, I knew my legs and lungs were having an argument on who was setting the pace! (The lungs won)
I gave up about 8 - 10 weeks ago (deliberatly not counting as I don't want reminding) and whilst my legs are stronger, to push on, my lungs can't keep up with the demand. if I cycle at the rate my legs are happy with, I'm spent in 10 mins, but if I cycle at the rate my lungs are happy with and not breathing like an asthmatic pump, I'm slow, very slow.
For the last few rides I've had the feeling my legs could do more, but forgot about it as I've been off the bike for a couple of weeks. Today was a test ride over a 5 mile circuit, after a bike fit and within a few minutes of being out, I knew my legs and lungs were having an argument on who was setting the pace! (The lungs won)
I'm still a smoker and I find the same thing happening; legs have plenty left but lungs give up.
That said the more I train the longer it takes for the lungs to give up, they still do well before my non-smoking compadres, but it's getting closer!
I would say keep training, your fitness will get better and your lungs will catch up with your legs but Its going to take months not weeks.
That said the more I train the longer it takes for the lungs to give up, they still do well before my non-smoking compadres, but it's getting closer!
I would say keep training, your fitness will get better and your lungs will catch up with your legs but Its going to take months not weeks.
I know it will take years for my body to recover from the abuse, but would have expected to see a slight increase in performace, not a reduction! I'm slower now than when I was smoking! OK its only 1mph, but taht 1mph in the wrong direction.
Whenever I look down I'm in the same gear on the flat, about 16th (middle of the cassette, big chain ring on a 10 speed)
Whenever I look down I'm in the same gear on the flat, about 16th (middle of the cassette, big chain ring on a 10 speed)
okgo said:
It's probably not massively the smoking. Rather just that you're unfit.
I still have the occasional fag.
That did make me laugh! Understatement of the year, I'm massively unfit, although I thought I was fitter than I am, as I can walk for ages and do when doing an archery comp (up hill and down dale).I still have the occasional fag.
Okgo, whats the address of your blog again? I forgot to bookmark it.
What I mean is your legs are always limited by your lungs, that's just the way muscles work. If you can supply them with more oxygen and blood then they can keep going. I know people who smoke quite a lot and are still fit. Though it's certainly not healthy. Hence I very rarely have one, I quite enjoy it and I know 1 here and there will make no odds.
First season racing into google should do it.
First season racing into google should do it.
I gave up 26 months ago and used the saved money to buy me food my first road bike in 20 years. I felt crap after 3 miles first time out, I joined a club and they took me up the local 1.1 mi 8% bad-boy in my 4th week, I had to stop half way up. In my 6th week I did a very very slow 120 miler, was supposed to be a 100 but was very badly sign posted.
Fast forward two years and I've progressed from being slowest in the intermediates to being mid paced in the roadies, I'm far more limited by appropriate fuelling and not going too hard than I am by my lungs now.
Fast forward two years and I've progressed from being slowest in the intermediates to being mid paced in the roadies, I'm far more limited by appropriate fuelling and not going too hard than I am by my lungs now.
It takes time.. I gave up 4 years ago.. I was 30+ a day and I am a survivor. (not directly smoking related!)
The first thing that happened in the following 6-months to a year was I ate and drank for England and added 20kgs to my weight.. that slowed me down, but it was fun doing it!!
I have got lighter and faster.. much faster but I'm still not quite my pre-giving up weight.. about another 3 kgs to go..
its just been a long effort hampered by constant relapses with food and wine. but I reckon last summer I was as fit as I have ever been. right back since I was a teenager. A few KOM's on Strava and some really challenging rides. This year I cycled up Sa Calobra in the spring and that was hugely emotional. I never thought I would do something like that. I was a write off 5 years ago.. and to come back and do that was massive. I have promised myself to try and do something like that every year for the rest of my life!
Keep going.. its not instant but the results will come.. you will notice and it is worth it.
The first thing that happened in the following 6-months to a year was I ate and drank for England and added 20kgs to my weight.. that slowed me down, but it was fun doing it!!
I have got lighter and faster.. much faster but I'm still not quite my pre-giving up weight.. about another 3 kgs to go..
its just been a long effort hampered by constant relapses with food and wine. but I reckon last summer I was as fit as I have ever been. right back since I was a teenager. A few KOM's on Strava and some really challenging rides. This year I cycled up Sa Calobra in the spring and that was hugely emotional. I never thought I would do something like that. I was a write off 5 years ago.. and to come back and do that was massive. I have promised myself to try and do something like that every year for the rest of my life!
Keep going.. its not instant but the results will come.. you will notice and it is worth it.
Interesting.
I stopped 20 months ago solely by getting into cycling again. I found a long really steep local hill (20%+) and *thought* what got me up there eventually without stopping was by not smoking. Obviously I was getting fitter too and that's more likely what did it. I remember being surprised that my lung capacity was likely only reduced by 10% or so whilst a smoker and that it takes 6-12 months of abstinence to fully regain this.
Anyway, I told myself that you can't ride up hills and continue to smoke, so one had to go.
One good addiction replaced a bad one.
I stopped 20 months ago solely by getting into cycling again. I found a long really steep local hill (20%+) and *thought* what got me up there eventually without stopping was by not smoking. Obviously I was getting fitter too and that's more likely what did it. I remember being surprised that my lung capacity was likely only reduced by 10% or so whilst a smoker and that it takes 6-12 months of abstinence to fully regain this.
Anyway, I told myself that you can't ride up hills and continue to smoke, so one had to go.
One good addiction replaced a bad one.
Smoking and cycling doesn't mix for me, I was only ever a drinking smoker, no booze no smoking, so maybe smoke 3 days a week but over a 20 year period. Friday & Saturday nights out I'd chain smoke, on occasions when out on a big night / weekend out I'll still smoke this is only maybe once a month or less now though. I always regrets it, time wise I'd say smoking a 12.5g pack over Friday and Saturday night I need at least three or four 30km rides beasting it as hard as a can making myself cough up any crap to feel good and as clear as I was before.
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