Its Olympic time! I’m not sure about you but one of the first things that is coming to my mind is AIR POLLUTION. Beijing looks like a smoke gun at a night club has gone off. Which will no doubt make it harder for many of the athletes to breath. All though most of us aren’t exposed to pollution like the people in Beijing, we still get exposed to some.
In leading up to a big race I avoid all cigarette smoke. Second hand smoke can be enough to create havoc on ones short term health. Your red blood cells primarily carry you oxygen in your blood stream. These red blood cells or hemoglobin bond with oxygen and transport it to other parts through out the body.
The thing with smoke is much of it contains carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide actually bonds with your red blood cells better than oxygen and your blood cells hold on to it longer. I have read it takes about 10 days for your red blood cells to fully let go of carbon monoxide. While holding on to the carbon monoxide your red blood cells ability to pick up oxygen is impaired. Meaning that your body is unable to take in as much oxygen. Thus your performance declines.
It appears from the pictures in Beijing that many of the athletes will be dealing with these adverse effects caused by air pollution.
My triathlon coaching advice to you……… stay far from the the smoke.
