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Ben K.PRO
Ben K. Sendmail

Smoking during a race?

posted 4 months ago | Report

So here's a weird question, something that I'll post just to see what kind of discussion it creates.

I do not smoke. However somebody recently posted something about playing music on a speaker rather than using headphones, and wondered what the etiquette on that is. I thought, "well what if instead of music it was smoking? Would that be okay?"

I do not equate the two in the slightest, but it got me thinking. You are allowed to smoke out in public, what if I wanted to smoke while I ran or biked? (super props if you can smoke while swimming)

My thought is there aren't many folks on the DM that smoke, but I bet there are some. I remember once I was running at dawn along the lakefront and there was a serious cyclist, off on the side, watching the sun rise while smoking.

I checked the rules for the Chicago Marathon, and I can't find anything that prohibits it.

Again, I highly doubt this would happen, but can you imagine if it did? On the one hand I would be impressed by the lung capacity of that individual, and the audacity to smoke around fitness enthusiasts, but I'd have to ask them to put it out.

Has this happened to anyone?

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19 posts

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  • Kathy N.
    Kathy N. Sendmail

    You know, there is a guy in my hiking group that smokes cigars and he'll pull one out while we're on the trails and starts puffing away. I just scratch my head and try to stay away from him as much as possible. I don't want to inhale all that crap.

    I have seen people smoking after a race and I notice other people making comments. It really is bizzarre. I guess as long as the smoke is not going in my face and they're not littering the streets with their butts, then let them.

    posted 4 months ago

  • Ben K.PRO
    Ben K. Sendmail

    I knew it would happen to at least one person! Thanks Kathy. It's a tough issue in some ways. I don't want to just take away another persons right to do something that isn't illegal, but at the same time there is a certain amount of common sense and courtesy that has to come into play. Maybe they can just start the race at the back of the pack :-)

    posted 4 months ago

  • Michael T.PRO
    Michael T. Sendmail

    This is an interesting question being that I AM one of those smokers. While I know I need to quit, it is the single hardest thing to do successfully. Especially when you have been smoking for more than 20+ years. It has nothing to do with audacity, but more with a habit that is extremely hard to break. I have tried 11 times to quit, using the gum, patches, Chantix, Wellbutrin, you name it. I think I am finally getting to the point where I CAN quit thanks to running and electronic cigarettes.

    Also, I guarantee you that those folks who "smoke around fitness enthusiasts" know how they look to those folks. Give us a break, some of us are trying to quit. Be glad that we are trying to get into shape by exercising. Quitting smoking, like losing weight will come as the rest of our body starts getting fit.

    If I WERE to race, I would probably have a smoke before or after the race, but out of respect for those that don't smoke, I would go somewhere quite aways away from the group to do so and I would NEVER throw the butt on the ground. Or lately, since I have been using an electronic cigarette, I would still move off some distance. I would not feel as compelled to do so, since it is harmless to bystanders, however I would do it more out of respect.

    posted 4 months ago

  • Bryce H.
    Bryce H. Sendmail

    That is their choice we are doors and plenty of ventilation and is long as they are blowing it in peoples faces. I don't smoke either but some of these laws are getting ridiculous.

    posted 4 months ago

  • John D.
    John D. Sendmail

    I say smoke em if you got em. And bring your 80s boombox too. I hereby vow never to be behind anyone doing either in a marathon so the disturbance should be minimal.

    posted 4 months ago

  • Nanette V.
    Nanette V. Sendmail

    I'd say NO! if there is a chance that the hot cigarette could touch someone else (as we know there is often some bumping at races due to congestion), then dont do it...period.

    Also, what would they do if the cig was done? they cant litter (at least they shouldnt) and they cant simply put the hot butt in their pocket. So, if they can't hold it, the only option is to discard it...and there are no trash cans on a race route that i see....so since i wouldnt want someone to break the law by littering, i think its my civic duty to not allow smoking if running :)

    posted 4 months ago

  • Ted
    Ted Sendmail

    I saw a guy taking a smoke break during a marathon. He stepped off the course so it wasn't interferring with any one. Hope he didn't litter the butt.

    posted 4 months ago

  • Ben K.PRO
    Ben K. Sendmail

    Interesting responses. Thanks all. @Michael, as I re-read my original post I feel I should apologize for the work audacity. I think the reason I chose the word was more so because I do have some friends that have been trying to quit and agree with you that it's the hardest thing to do. They are also trying the electric cigarette, and it's been working for them. I hope it does for you too. But I think you got my point, almost every smoker I know is an extremely considerate one and I can't imagine they would smoke around people.

    I wonder what it's like in other parts of the world where smoking is considered more socially acceptable?

    Thanks Ted for sharing as well. I figured at some point someone would see somebody take a smoke break. A marathon can take a long time, 4, 5, maybe 6 plus hours. For a pack a day person that's a long time to go without.

    posted 4 months ago

  • Michael T.PRO
    Michael T. Sendmail

    @Ben, it is all good. I got what you meant, but I was just trying to be clear in my answer. The electronic cigarette is a lifesaver for those trying to quit. While I understand some of the reasoning, it is hard to believe they want to ban them. To me, more people quitting smoking = a healthier world. why on earth would you want to ban them? Anyway, that is a whole nother topic. LOL

    @Nanette, while I agree, no one should smoke DURING a race, what I do when I am out somewhere is field strip the tobacco out of the cigarette, make sure the hot part is completely out and then put the butt in my pocket. Take a few extra seconds, but doesn't cause fires or litter.

    posted 4 months ago

  • Savan R.
    Savan R. Sendmail

    Wont it screw your time if you take a smoking break? I've smoked for ten years starting at the age of 16. I can tell you I've lost more in the process. Quit since about 2 years now and took to running. I don't feel the urge anymore. I had to quit cos at 25 I couldn't swim ten feet without panting for the next 15 mins.

    It isn't easy at all to quit when u smoke at least a pack a day. But it's all mind over body. In the last 2 years I've gone through terrible times when I'd feel a smoke would calm my nerves. I fought it really hard. I had my career come crashing down and a bad break up. I decided that no matter what I'm not gonna try to find solace in booze and smoke.

    And let me tell you I don't have a single friend who doesn't smoke. When you're down and wanna talk to friends, you end up meeting them in a bar with all of them smokin right in front of you. I had to keep distance for a long time just to be able to quit. In the process friends have moved on and we're not as close. But that's how it is i guess. You win some you lose some. I had to face my problems without talking to anyone. I'd probably be better off today if I continued my life just as it was. But 2 years lost is surely 2 years gained. I know I have enough time ahead of me to work on my health.

    I try and tell every smoker I know to try and quit. Most important of all... Never be the one to light the first cigarette for your friend. You know how hard it is to quit, don't put another person through that misery.

    posted 4 months ago

  • Morey B.
    Morey B. Sendmail

    my last race... my sneakers were smokin'!

    posted 4 months ago

  • Laurie S.
    Laurie S. Sendmail

    It hasn't happened in a race and I haven't really seen people smoking while doing any type of athletic activity. However, I run on a running path where there are a lot of recreational users hanging out, going for a walk and possibly smoking. Or, there are often homeless people smoking too. I have to completely disagree with the thought that it's their right and there is plenty of ventilation. I OFTEN take in big whiffs of smoke while running if I'm following behind someone or as I pass them. Personally, when I'm making a decision to do something healthy for myself, I shouldn't have to breathe in the second hand smoke of others. When I'm not running, if I see someone who is smoking or I smell some smoke, I might hold my breath for a few seconds as I pass, but when I'm running and breathing hard, I can't really help but breathe it in and that to me isn't fair that their decision is impacting me in a negative way.

    Clearly, I'm a non-smoker and I think I'm pretty sensitive to the smell. I can even smell smoke while sitting in my car if the person driving in front of me is smoking in their car. I can only imagine how difficult it is dealing with the addiction, but smoking is one thing I don't have much sympathy for because it has such a huge impact on others.

    posted 4 months ago

  • Mike D.
    Mike D. Sendmail

    I've heard of casual athletes that smoked, but when they got serious about their running they gave it up, like Bill Rodgers.

    posted 4 months ago

  • Joe H.
    Joe H. Sendmail

    hmm why does a cigar at the end of a triathlon suddenly sound compelling to me?

    posted 4 months ago

  • Ben K.PRO
    Ben K. Sendmail
    in reply to what Morey B. said:my last race... my sneakers were smokin'!

    Yes. Your sneakers were smoking!

    posted 3 months ago

  • Richard B.
    Richard B. Sendmail

    This talk of smoking and racing reminded me of a crack Robin Williams said way back in the 80's, when the 1984 LA Olympics was looming. He joked that the Soviet team (this prior to chickening out and not coming to the 84 games) was training for the events in smoggy Los Angeles by running through forest fires while sucking on an automobile muffler.

    I think smoking before, during, or after would be the equivalent of that sucking on a muffler thing....

    posted 3 months ago | edited 3 months ago

  • Andy A.
    Andy A. Sendmail

    I used to be on a rec league soccer team and most of them smoked at half time. It was weird.

    posted 3 months ago

  • Cory L.
    Cory L. Sendmail

    I agree it is pretty ballsy to just go right ahead and light up at a race. I've been to several 5k's and there was almost always at least one person smoking be it a racer or somebody with a racer. It can def be annoying, but I just try to avoid it. To me, if you're gonna be that disrespectful to the racers around you, you don't deserve my time.

    posted 3 months ago

  • Karin De J.
    Karin De J. Sendmail

    Interesting question.
    I personally would be pissed off if I had to race in the smoke that someone else is spewing out. The same goes for someone that comes all perfumed/Axe'd up. And this is for the simple reason that it litteraly takes my breath away. I cannot breathe when I inhale those fumes. They say ex smokers can be the worst when it comes to hating smoke and I guess I am a good example of that. I quit 3 years ago (still chew the occassional nicorette tho) and I don't know if all my years of smoking has left me with permanent limited lung capacity but inhaling 2nd hand smoke or perfume is detrimental to my breathing capacity. So yeah I would be saying something if someone was smoking during a race. After or before ... well.. if they light one up in the midst of the run crowd, I'd move away from that person. I understand it is a legal thing to do but again.. the reason I stopped smoking and started running is to be healthier so I don't need 2nd hand smoke during a sporting event. I must say that I have never seen anyone smoke during.. the perfume/Axe on the other hand... YUCK!

    posted 3 months ago

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