Running Through Allergies, Illness Or Asthma

Mar 21, 2026

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You are experiencing itchy eyes, nasal congestion, and sneezing on your runs. Are these allergy symptoms or illness? Is it okay to run through these symptoms, and if so, will these slow you down? In this episode, we discuss seasonal allergies, illness, and exercise-induced asthma in relationship to running and racing.

(Disclaimer: this episode does not serve as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional if concerned about allergies and asthma.)

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In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ If running makes seasonal allergies worse

✅ How seasonal allergies and poor air quality impact running performance

✅ The signs and symptoms of exercise-induced asthma

✅ How to cope with seasonal allergies during running

✅ How to know if you should run or rest through illness symptoms

✅ The J-shaped curve of exercise and immune function

✅ When to skip a race

References

🔬PMID: 30009588

🔬PMID: 34870078

🔬PMID: 22754712

🔬PMID: 23724244

Tread Lightly Running is hosted and researched by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Production, show notes, and graphics by Laura Norris.

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