Allergic to Running?

Tree Cover along my Running Routes in Etobicoke

My allergies have been driving me crazy this year!

I'm very sure that I'm not actually allergic to running.  I get bored some days if I've repeated a running route too frequently.  And in the Winter the 'Hell has Frozen Over' sub-zero degree temperatures were challenging.  But no, I'm pretty sure it's not the running I'm allergic to.  The pollen on the other hand...

Earlier this year the talk was all about the lack of spring in Southern Ontario. With an extremely short or really no spring, the discussion was about the heavy pollination that would occur once the warmer weather came. Having lived with respiratory allergies for the past 40 years, I took this seriously.  I got my nasal spray prescription filled and put in a stock of Claritin/Reactine (the only two that offer any help).

Then I went on a run...

We live in a heavily wooded and treed area of Central Etobicoke right along the Humber River.  I mean a ton of trees.  From the air (that's the Google Map image above) it really is that green with lots of mature trees along every one of my running routes.  And they've all been having a grand time pollinating!  I think they're out to get me...I swear I can hear them whispering to each other as I run by "Spew now!".  Seriously, some mornings I can almost see, breathe in and taste the pollen.  I felt like total crap after running Monday morning.  Let me correct that, after 'shuffling along' for about 30 minutes.

I'm hoping that was the bottom...that the heavy stuff has passed now that the trees and flowers are in full bloom.  I'll find out again for sure on my next run.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy