MCM Mama Runs

MCM Mama Runs for Beer and Bling

  • Home
  • About MCM Mama
  • Racing the U.S.A.
  • I Heart Craft Beer
  • Product Reviews
  • Recipes
  • Disclosure
You are here: Home / Life with kids / Tips for running through allergy season

Tips for running through allergy season

April 25, 2015 by MCM Mama 13 Comments

This post about surviving allergy season was sponsored by CVS Minute Clinic, but all opinions (and allergies) are my own.

I love spring. It’s a beautiful time of year in Virginia. The sun has come out, the temperature is generally mild, and tons of flowers are blooming. Unfortunately, all of the trees are also producing pollen.  I’m allergic to many evergreens and Jones is allergic to oak trees, so when my car looks like this…

pollen

…you know we are miserable. But lot of my races are in the spring and I can’t stay inside during the best time of the year to be outside, so we had to come up with a solution.

It has taken a few years of trial and error to come up with a plan so that Jones doesn’t miss any days of school (Yes, his allergies are that bad and no, we don’t want to do shots at this point) and I can keep running. Living with the urge to rub your eyes off or to jab something into your ear to scratch your inner ear is not a pleasant way to live.  And who wants snot running down their face during a run (even more than the usual runner snot issues?) Not me.

So, I thought I’d share with you some of the ways we get through spring time allergies.

Tips for surviving spring allergies

First, make sure it’s not a cold. If you are running a fever or feeling achy, it’s probably not allergies.  If your eyes itch and the world around you is yellow from pollen, allergies are likely the culprit.

If you know you have allergies, plan ahead! Some medications (both over the counter and prescription) work best if they are in your system before the symptoms start.  Get a visit in to Minute Clinic or to your doctor in February or March to figure out what you will use and WHEN to start.

Some more tips for you:

  • Don’t miss a dose. Why be miserable, plus sometimes it takes a while to get things back under control.  (This is our personal experience, anyways.)
  • Wash your hair before bed.
  • Change your pillowcase every day or so and your sheets regularly.
  • Don’t open the windows in the affected person’s bedroom. (We actually don’t open any windows in the upstairs during the prime allergy weeks around here.)
  • Wear sunglasses when you run or anytime there’s a breeze. This keeps the pollen out of your eyes.
  • Wash your hands regularly – it doesn’t take much to move pollen from your hair to your eyes. Trust me on this one.
  • Keep your outdoor pet off of your bed and bathe or brush them regularly.
  • Move your workout indoors on the worst days. (I break this one all the time since I can’t stand missing out on running in beautiful weather.)

Seasonal allergies are not fun. Luckily, there are lots of options out there to help you with them. As a mom of a kid with food and seasonal allergies, I’ve had lots of discussion with doctors about it. If you are suffering, visit a medical professional and come up with a plan that works for you (seriously, it took us several years to come up with the most effective combination of eye drop, nose spray, and systemic medicines for Jones.) No one needs to spend the best time of the year feeling miserable.

[Tweet “Do you have spring time allergies? Here are some tips to help you out! “]

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, just a mom with a kid with bad allergies. I was compensated for this post, but all opinions are my own.

Follow on Bloglovin follow us in feedly

More from my site

  • Moral of the story: Run your own raceMoral of the story: Run your own race
  • Rock Your Socks 5K/10K Virtual RaceRock Your Socks 5K/10K Virtual Race
  • Head to head competition: Bia versus GarminHead to head competition: Bia versus Garmin
  • That time of year againThat time of year again
  • How to live with a Crossfit spouse (guest post)How to live with a Crossfit spouse (guest post)

Filed Under: Life with kids, tips, training

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Amy @ Mama Running for God says

    April 25, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    I am so lucky I have no allergies!! These are great tips for people who suffer from them though!!
    Amy @ Mama Running for God recently posted…Lonnnngggg overdue updateMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Betsy says

    April 26, 2015 at 6:26 am

    Just recently I’ve started to deal with allergies and they are no fun. Good tips!
    Betsy recently posted…Golden Tote Review #2: April 2015My Profile

    Reply
  3. Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says

    April 26, 2015 at 8:09 am

    Great tips and all the same advice I tell my patients!
    Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Bringing my own sunshineMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Pegi says

    April 26, 2015 at 11:40 am

    Great tips! Also, if you have allergies and asthma, don’t forget to use your inhaler before heading out.

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      April 27, 2015 at 9:16 pm

      Good point! I’ve never used one but several of my runner friends have them.

      Reply
  5. Amy says

    April 26, 2015 at 3:35 pm

    Excellent tips! I’m like you, definitely do not want to be stuck inside when the world just got done with freezing over. Thankfully, the pollen is not active where I live, though we do have our days. Thanks again for sharing your tips.
    Amy
    Amy recently posted…Best Fitness Tips for Taurus MomsMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Sandra Laflamme says

    April 26, 2015 at 3:51 pm

    Dreaded allergy season has not arrived yet here in New Hampshire. I am not looking forward to it as my asthma always kicks in 🙁 Great tips though! Hope you all survive!
    Sandra Laflamme recently posted…A small celebratory trail run.My Profile

    Reply
  7. Amanda says

    April 26, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    I have awful spring allergies. The two things that work best for me are to use a reliable prescription nasal spray, and to keep the windows closed in my bedroom. I agree – I can’t fathom missing beautiful spring runs outside!

    Reply
  8. CARLA says

    April 27, 2015 at 5:32 am

    and pretty much GREAT TIPS for living through the season as well.
    CARLA recently posted…I’ve found connection.My Profile

    Reply
  9. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says

    April 27, 2015 at 10:17 am

    Great tips! Sometimes I have allergy symptoms this time of year and that’s no fun when you’re running!
    Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Gone for a Run Virtual 10K Race RecapMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    April 27, 2015 at 12:12 pm

    I’ve started using essential oils for allergies and it has worked wonders. I hate having to keep the windows closed when the weather is starting to get warm!!
    Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…It’s a BIG race, Go Run IT: Paris Marathon Race RecapMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Smitha @ FauxRunner says

    April 27, 2015 at 4:29 pm

    I just suffer through it all. I can’t take allergy meds without it knocking me out 🙁
    Should investigate oils but everyone seems to just want to sell them.
    Smitha @ FauxRunner recently posted…Faux Runner … No More: From FAUX to FABMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Katy @ runnerclick says

    May 5, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    great tips for living through the season as well. thanks you
    Katy @ runnerclick recently posted…10 best plantar fasciitis insolesMy Profile

    Reply
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

Recent Posts

  • Coffee with a side of rain
  • Half Marathon #83:Appalachian Series – Alabama
  • Hotel Coffee is better than no coffee…
  • Training for Back to Back to Back Half Marathons
  • Runfessions of a Really Cold Runner
  • Kicking off the year with coffee!
  • Wrapping up 2021: a roller coaster year
  • Half Marathon #82: Probility Ann Arbor Half Marathon

Archives

A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath. Read More…

Coffee with a side of rain

Coffee with a side of rain

Apparently I only write coffee posts when I’m in Michigan. I guess my body is hard wired to wake up early, but the college kid has no interest in an early wakeup call. I’d run, but it’s raining and I did not bring the right running clothes, so here I sit. I’m joining Deb and […]

Copyright © 2022 · MCM Mama Runs on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in