Upon reading BMoore’s profile bio, it dawned on me that this amazing woman runner was a smoker? Curiosity took hold leading me to find more info on women who have actually used running to kick the habit. Come to find out the organization Circle of Friends whose purpose ‘Uniting to be Smoke Free’ took on title sponsorship (2004) of the annual NYMINI0K, the first women only road race started in 1972. Go figure.
While the NYRRMINI10K has passed this year, taking place in the early part of June, we can most certainly look forward to next year. This 10k run is an event advertised for women of all abilities and yet the NY Mini attracts world-renowned women distance running athletes.
Regardless of whether we make it to the smoke-less sponsored women's road race of the year, a few facts on women smoking may be able to get you or someone you know to think twice about lighting up. Women smokers (23 million, 27% of, 140,00 die each year) suffer the same consequences of smoking as do men PLUS SOME.
• Women smokers using birth control seriously increase the risk if of cardiovascular disease such as blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. The aforementioned are exacerbated when taking hormone replacement therapy.
• Pregnant women smokers increase the likelihood of preterm delivery, low birthweight, miscarriage, and neonatal death among other things. Those babies/children born to mothers who smoke are likely to experience more cols, ear aches, respiratory illnesses.
• It is 3.4 times more likely that women smokers will suffer infertility.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease occurs with 33% more frequency in smokers, a contributing factor in ectopic pregnancies, pelvic adhesions, and other fertility problems.
• Women smokers are more likely to start menopause early and suffer menstrual problems such as abnormal bleeding, amenorrhea, and vaginal discharges/infections.
• Women who smoke risk bone loss and Osteoporosis.
• Women who smoke are more likely to do cervical cancer.
• Who whop smoke raise their chance of breast cancer by 75%.
• Women who smoke are at risk of developing vulvar cancer.
I AM VERY INTERESTED IN HEARING IF YOU HAVE TRADED SMOKING FOR RUNNING. A VIGOROUS EXERCISE PROGRAM ALONG WITH DIET AND WILL POWER IS THE BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTION FOR QUITING.
KICK IT RUNNING+
