Running and hayfever

[AuntieStella]

I ran 5k in the evening yesterday, and found it really hard going (and my time was down). I think it might be a hayfever problem, because it's just coming to the tree pollen time, and the main difficulty was my chest feeling a bit 'tight'.

Anyone else suffer?

And what helps? I take a daily hayfever OTC tablet, plus use eyedrops and that generally keeps it under control. But this time last year I hadn't started running.

I can find it hard going at this time of year. I live on the edge of town and head towards the fields which unfortunately have a lot of rapeseed around May/ June. The may blossom on the hawthorn also seems to aggravate me and I know when I'm close to it as my throat starts burning. I can feel disproportionately breathless compared to my heart rate.

I seem to be affected from March to August, but this is my peak season. We've got a few filters in the house now which have made a big difference as we're getting a break from the pollen. I'm finding this year that I'm only needing the antihistamines if I'm heading out for a significant time.

I'm about to head out now, to see if it's easier in the mornings.

I'm OK at home, and generally out about. It was a noticeable difference earlier this week when running.

Does it make any difference when you take an antihistamine?

It's my first 10k at the end of this month, and I'm a bit worried!

Do I just get round, adding walking breaks if I have to? Or do a rain dance and hope for light drizzle?