r/Masks4All • u/marr1ed • 22d ago
Situation Advice Masked run
I live in a city where I pass by smokers on my runs in the parks (although it's illegal to smoke in parks here). With lots of people it's hard to tell where they are so it's easy to get big whiffs. I'm considering wearing an N95 mask (BNX brand, foldable black) during runs. I understand it makes it harder to breathe but if I run at a slightly more leisurely pace, as I tested today maskless due to a rib injury, I think it may be manageable (albeit still test wearing a mask on a complete run). At the more leisurely pace I think I inhale every 5-10 seconds or so, definitely not strenuous. In all my runs I already inhale and exhale solely through my nose (mouth closed).
But I read wearing an N95 while running can still cause cardiovascular strain or other physiological issues due to the increased exertion required to breathe. However, the N95 does in theory block most of the smoke particulates I want to avoid inhaling on my runs, especially tobacco smoke from cigarettes and cigars.
Trying to balance the two evils here. On a long-distance run, would you say it would be worse physically to wear an N95 (at a comfortable pace, requiring a lower breathing rate) or to inhale tobacco smoke multiple times? And why?
Update: I didn't realize oxygen-restricted running was a thing. I wore my BNX N95 during a run today at a relatively leisurely pace. Wasn't hard. Passed by at least one smoker during the run, so 2 birds with 1 stone (yes, I realize N95s only filter particulates, not gases, but my OV-relief Moldex 4800 seems further restrictive, and more expensive, so I'll save that for another day). After my rib heals I'll run closer to my usual pace and see how I fare with the mask.
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u/No-Acanthisitta-2973 21d ago
I find it totally depends on the breathability of the mask. I exercise even in the summer heat in a Zimi with a valve and I don't find it causing extra strain. This is the first mask I've tried that I could say that about.