Vaping and Cardio

[IShotBigBird]

So, I'm joining the United States Marine Corps and we do PT (physical training) 4 days out of the week for a couple hours. Now, I don't ship to boot camp for a while but I'm trying to improve my cardio as quick as possible and improve every day with run times and stay with the pack for the whole workout. I KNOW my cigarette smoking for 4 years is part of the reason that I can only run 1.5 miles in 16 minutes but I was wondering how much the nicotine in my liquids affect my cardio.

Since I've gotten my Vamo V3, I've been cigarette free for 4+ weeks and it feels pretty good. But while doing the workouts, I can't inhale enough air. My vision starts to fade, my neck and traps get sore and tense and I feel nauseous. Even 10 minutes after the workout, just standing, it's hard to get enough air to feel comfortable again. I'm not even out of shape. I'm 6 foot 5 inches and weigh 195lbs.

I can feel the improvement as far as strength and endurance of muscles but the breathing is holding me back.

Should I stop vaping or lower the nicotine level? Main vape is Halo's Tribeca with 18mg of nic

 

[cmdebrecht]

Nic is like caffeine in that it is a stimulant. I don't know how or if it would affect your lung function. How does your breathing now compare to your breathing post-cardio while you were smoking?

I bet your lungs are still in healing mode even though you quit 4+ weeks ago. They are still probably trying to get the gunk out.

Do you have any chest pain after running? How is your pulse rate?

Because you say your vision gets dark and you begin to feel nauseous I wonder if you aren't hyperventilating. Sounds like your O2 and CO2 (?) levels are out of whack. Your neck muscles only support Inhalation during strenuous exercise but I would expect your diaphragm and other muscles in your rib cage to become painful too.

I am not a doctor but it sounds like exercise induced asthma could be a possibility.

 

[Chas F.]

I quit smoking and started vaping shortly after I started a running regimen to get back in shape. Studies have shown that using a PV increases lung resistance for ~10 minutes. I have noticed the same effect but usually ceases to bother me 5 minutes into my run. Just because you aren't overweight does not mean you are in good running condition. 1.5m/16min is not bad at all for starters. How long have you been running/training?

The only other thing I would like to mention is that PG is broken down by the body into compounds the body can process. One of them is lactate acid. If you find yourself up against the lactate acid threshold, tune down the PG mix. And try not to vape for a while prior to your workout. I'll be ordering liquids with little to no PG in the future.

 

[IShotBigBird]

No, my chest does not hurt at all. Others tell me to breathe normal after the run is done but it's hard to and I just continue to breathe quickly to catch my breath. It's a lot easier bend over than standing straight up. Nothing really hurts. Occasionally my lower left rib cage but I've heard that's just the up and down motion causing that.

 

[IShotBigBird]

I quit smoking and started vaping shortly after I started a running regimen to get back in shape. Studies have shown that using a PV increases lung resistance for ~10 minutes. I have noticed the same effect but usually ceases to bother me 5 minutes into my run. Just because you aren't overweight does not mean you are in good running condition. 1.5m/16min is not bad at all for starters. How long have you been running/training?

The only other thing I would like to mention is that PG is broken down by the body into compounds the body can process. One of them is lactate acid. If you find yourself up against the lactate acid threshold, tune down the PG mix. And try not to vape for a while prior to your workout. I'll be ordering liquids with little to no PG in the future.

I've been training for 4+ weeks. Quit cigarettes the day before I started. I thought 16 mins was slow. I finished 3 places from last place.

 

[Barbara21]

The symptoms you describe (vision fading, nauseous, etc.) do indeed sound like oxygen deprivation. And they would be expected after you've really pushed yourself to the limit.

But...one-and-a-half miles in sixteen minutes shouldn't be pushing a young, non-overweight male 'to the limit'. (Heck, I ran the two-mile once in high school - just so we would have an entry in the event - and I ran it in less than sixteen minutes. I wasn't even on the track team. And I'm female.)

Seriously, I'm not one to advocate running to the doctor for every little thing but I am a nurse and this would concern me.

Exercise-induced asthma is a distinct possibility. I really think you need to get it check out by someone.

 

[cmdebrecht]

Lactic acid is a natural product of muscle use, and exercise certainly amps that up. But I wouldn't expect that to occur immediatly post-exercise. Usually this happens the day after, and it's a large part of why our muscles are so sore and achy. Drinking lots and lots of water will helpto flu these out of your system. But your neck muscles seem to hurt because of your labored breathing. If It were just about the lactic acid I would expect your larger muscles (especially in your legs, and your diaphragm) to hurt as well.

 

[jocat54]

I can't really add anything----just wanted to Thank You for your service.

 

[Scarey]

Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, and as a stimulant, can place a little extra strain on your heart, if you're doing something strenuous. I think, maybe, since you're doing a lot of heavy training, you should consider reducing either your vape time, or nic strength, if at all possible. That's just a layman's thoughts, and in no way to be considered legitimate medical advice. Ask a doctor if you want that.

 

[bones1274]

Take a break from vaping for at least 30 min before the cardio. 16 min for 1.5 miles is a failing time in the Navy for anyone under 40 years of age, and I am pretty sure it is also failing for the Marines.

I smoked for 20 years and quit 3 years ago and started vaping. My lung capacity is GREATLY improved and I can run twice as far now compared to when I was a smoker.

Be advised that you will not be allowed to vape or have vape gear at boot camp. Also, the Navy (to include the Marines since they are Dept of the Navy) just passed a policy that bans e-cigs in any government buildings. You will have to use the smoke pits and inhale all that wonderful second hand smoke that you are trying to get away from.

Keep working on your running. The breathing will get easier as your body gets used to the workout regime and your run times will get faster. Good luck in the Corps and welcome to the team!

 

[v1k1ng1001]

The biggest mistake that people make when training for aerobic endurance is that they push themselves too hard. You should be running at the threshold where you can still maintain a conversation. Anything of higher intensity is taxing your anaerobic energy systems rather than your aerobic systems. So yeah, basically low-level intensity days for aerobic conditioning and then sprint/recovery intervals to train the anaerobic system.

Nonetheless, you should be seeing some better results. As others have said, back off the vaping before working out and maybe see a doctor in case there is some sort of issue.

 

[el Jexican]

A lot of it depends on how much you exercised prior to enlisting in the Marine Corps. If you never really exercised and all of a sudden start running 1.5 miles four times a week your body is probably getting worked to the limit regardless on how fast your pace is. Keep working on it, your body will get used to it. Just think, when you go into boot camp you might or might not be running upwards of a half a marathon and part of your PT test will be running 3 miles in XX amount of time. Which makes me glad I'm in the Navy and not the Marines, I'm good for exactly 1.5 miles.

 

[JasonK94Z]

I have also noticed the same thing. I tried some difficult riding on my dirt bike in the woods recently. It's very strenuous, and I didn't last very long at all. Heart rate was thru the roof, heavy breathing, and took a long time to catch my breath. Also, lactic acid was killing my leg muscles. Couldn't hardly kick start my bike more than a couple of times.
I'm not in the best shape, but this was ridiculous! My lung capacity is no better than when I was on the cigarettes.

 

[jacob1174]

Thank you for your service to our country. I spent 25 years in the US Army, and I'm still inspired by young men and women prepared to defend our way of life. Thank you.

 

[Sane Asylum]

If your problem is being caused by lactic acid build up, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Not only can intense exercise cause lactic acid build up but so can PG. Your lungs are also in a recovery phase as well as just about every part of your body. You seem to be overloading your system.

This is so important to keep in mind after we stop smoking cigarettes. Our body is in recovery mode, repairing damage done by smoking. It's busy detoxing and we need to be aware of how important it is to help it along by hydrating, eating well and IMO, taking supplemental vitamins and minerals to help the process along.

 

[eyebedam]

Your living in a dream world if you think PT is only 4 days a week. Try a minimum of 6 days a week multiple times a day. During basic atleast 4 times daily. You may get lucky & have Sunday for rest.

 

[rhm3769]

Your living in a dream world if you think PT is only 4 days a week. Try a minimum of 6 days a week multiple times a day. During basic atleast 4 times daily. You may get lucky & have Sunday for rest.

Ive been in for 8 years, part of a grunt unit for half of it and I've never seen 6 days a week PT.... "PT" at boot camp was three days a week, but it was pretty much PT all day every day....

To the OP, when I enlisted, I had been smoking a pack a day for about four years and hadnt been on a run for almost 6 years before I started running three days a week with the recruiter.... firet few times I came in around 16 minutes.... hydrate more and if possible cut back a bit on frequency here and there for recovery....
What helped me improve was starting out at a slower pace and picking it up some.... I went from 16 minutes to 12:30s in a few months.... and I havent been able to get faster than that pace over that distance.... you'll find your pace.... and despite everything being a competition, don't focus on trying to beat others on runs, focus on getting to where you want to be....

And if I remeber right, for the 1.5 mile run to ship to boot camp and stay there, you need sub 14....

 

[jocat54]

Well back in the old days when we had to walk to school in the snow (uphill both ways--there and back)
I lived in south Texas----no snow.
Seriously back in the 60's it sure seemed like we had PT everyday, maybe not sometimes I can't remember yesterday very well