Last year when COVID infection rates in the Western world were high, I read an article about how wearing a mask does(n't) affect oxygen levels in the body when running . Back then - August 2020 - it didn't mean too much to me because I wasn't running outside, and our office had a standalone gym that didn't require wearing a face mask while exercising. Here is the link to the Men's Health article:
In all fairness the UK doctor does admit that wearing a mask is uncomfortable, but I do have several problems with the article in general. Before I get into that, I do want to say that 1) I am not an anti-masker, 2) I am not an anti-vaxxer, and 3) my level of running isn't as high as the good doctor's level. With regard to my stance on COVID prevention, I would say it is similar to my stance on disease prevention in general: Stay home when you're sick, wear a mask when you are sick, keep a good social distance from people in general, wash your hands often, and avoid touching your face. It isn't a surprise that these were general guidelines passed out by the CDC at the beginning of the pandemic, and it is unfortunate that we put so much effort into vaccinations, while almost forgetting the basics above. I hope these comments didn't trigger anyone, but if they did, well, be an adult and understand that you won't change my mind any more than I will change yours... and I'm okay with that.
Anyway, the issue I have with the article is that the doctor says his little experiment proves that wearing a mask didn't affect his oxygen levels. Perhaps it's true for him personally, but I don't think one run by one person with a (assumed) commercial oximeter proves anything. I picked up my outside running again in November at a time when the mask mandate here in Hanoi was, and still is, 100% when outside. I want you to understand that people here are serious about the mandate, too. Police will fine you if you are spotted not wearing a mask outside, and I know people that have been approached and fined. That may help you understand why I stepped away from running outside for a while; not because I am afraid of COVID, but because of the fear that I will be caught without a mask on.
For the past few months, I realized that I can walk at a brisk pace fairly comfortably with a mask on, and I continue to do that. Running, on the other hand, presents an issue. That is, that I can't run more than a mile without breaking a sweat, and sweat creates a seal between my nose and mouth, and the mask. The description "uncomfortable" as described by the doctor in the article, is like saying getting waterboarded can be annoying. In my experiment, it is impossible for me to breath after the first mile. Even before the first mile, my breathing becomes so labored that I would be exhausted in a very short time. I believe I have a good heart, but I wouldn't want to bet on my heart against the extra effort I have to put into breathing with a mask on.
I also think the article missed the mark entirely. Why do an experiment to prove your oxygen levels are fine while wearing a mask when running, when it would make so much more sense to explain how much more vulnerable you are not wearing a mask when you run? I personally believe that you aren't more vulnerable. At least I don't think I am. I run early in the morning and don't pass within two meters of anyone on my runs. Even if I were to run at a time when the streets are more crowded, I don't think I would be very vulnerable to catching a virus on the run.
Anyway, I made a compromise that may sound a bit hypocritical. I do wear a mask, and it covers my chin. When I walk out of and into my apartment, I wear the mask full faced, but as soon as I start running, I pull the mask down where my mouth and nose are exposed. I believe the benefits of running and being outside far outweigh wearing a mask in maintaining my mental and physical health. Frankly, if I had to wear the mask properly, I wouldn't run. Period.
The weather has been holding out for me these past couple of months and I will keep running until the morning showers just make it too dirty to get outside. I still don't understand how the paved streets can get so dirty and muddy here, but they do. To reinforce my commitment to running, I ran around West Lake on January 1st. I was surprised how well I did.
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