At the 2024 Xiamen Marathon, "Brother Smoking" once again attracted everyone's attention. It's still the same running gear, still holding a lit cigarette in his mouth, and he swallows the clouds and smoke as he runs.
The performance of the smoking brother
A few years ago, the smoking brother incident caused a lot of uproar.
In the marathons of 2018 and 2019, the big brother caused a sensation. In the competition photo, he calmly holds a cigarette in his mouth. He ran an impressive 3:36 and 3:32 in both races, respectively.
In November 2002, the Xin'anjiang Marathon increased the score by 4 minutes while running, and succeeded in PB in 3 hours and 28 minutes, and the results were better and better every time!
After that, he appeared on the Hangzhou Marathon track, repeated the old trick, and finished in 3 hours and 35 minutes.
Not only has this "smoking brother" caused a sensation in China's running circles, but his fame has spread abroad. This unique runner has been covered by several foreign media outlets.
The famous gossip website TMZ called him a contemporary wizard. "If you think running a marathon is enough to push the limit, imagine running 42 kilometers with your lungs full of smoke. It's amazing how a Chinese man not only accomplished this difficult task, but also enjoyed it. ”
Most netizens in China believe that smoking and running in the race is an uncivilized behavior that affects others, so it should not be overly promoted.
Runners shouted to the Athletics Association one after another, asking it to intervene, and some even strongly demanded that the runner be banned from the race.
The act of smoking represents unhealth, and running and running marathons are generally considered to be a symbol of health, these two such contradictory things happen to a person, and this big brother's grades are really good, and I feel very divided when I see this news.
On the one hand, people are surprised that he can show such physical fitness while smoking, and some people see this as a challenge to the limits of the body, which can be called an "iron lung".
However, there are more worries and doubts. From a kinematic point of view, smoking can cause damage to the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, increase the body's oxygen demand, and reduce exercise capacity.
His smoking behavior in the race intuitively violates the principle of health traceability, and also establishes a false perception for the audience that despite smoking, he can maintain good physical fitness in the marathon.
In turn, it has become a counterexample to the common sense that "smoking is harmful to health", causing adverse social impacts.
Under the pressure of public opinion, the "smoking brother" in 2023 has disappeared.
However, in 2024, after two years, "Brother Smoking" will make a comeback, running Xiamen Horse with a cigarette in his mouth......
Athletics Association regulations
In 2022, after the popularity of "Brother Smoking", the Chinese Athletics Association issued the "Proposal for Civilized and Healthy Marathon Participation", which clearly proposes:
Be a non-smoking participant. Establish the concept that smoking is harmful to health, take the lead in staying away from tobacco, develop good hygiene Xi and civilized lifestyle, and work together to create a green, healthy and smoke-free marathon environment.
In marathons, which are crowded with the public and athletes, it is especially important to ban smoking.
A smoke-free environment is not only conducive to athletes showing their best competitive condition and creating a healthy and civilized event scene, but also closely related to our health.
Studies have shown that inhaling secondhand smoke from a cigarette within five minutes may reduce lung function by about 3% in people who are exercising vigorously.
Secondhand smoke can also trigger or worsen asthma and may increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Therefore, from the perspective of kinesiology and nutrition, the impact of smoking on sports health cannot be ignored. If you're serious about your athletic career, quitting smoking should be your top priority.
Wang usually advises those who are planning to start running to quit smoking first. If a person is running and smoking, it is in vain to try to extinguish the fire while constantly adding firewood.
Advice on quitting smoking
When you're looking to improve your running performance or pursue a healthier lifestyle, quitting smoking is the first step you need to consider.
Here, I would like to give you some advice on quitting smoking.
First of all, you need to believe that you have the ability to quit smoking and overcome the temptation that comes with smoking.
You can create a detailed quit plan, including when to start smoking, how far you want to quit, and more.
For many runners, a slight change in running Xi can help them kick the addiction.
For example, try to quit smoking during the time you run every day and replace your Xi smoking behavior with healthy running behaviors.
In addition, dietary modifications can also help you reduce your dependence on tobacco to some extent. Some foods rich in vitamins C and B, such as citrus fruits and leafy greens, can help cleanse the body of nicotine.
Also, don't ignore the support and encouragement of your loved ones, who can greatly increase your chances of successfully quitting smoking.
If you find it difficult to persevere on your own, seek professional help such as counselling or join a smoking cessation program.
Many studies have confirmed that quitting smoking can significantly improve your running performance, because after quitting smoking, your lung capacity will gradually return, and you will find that you can breathe easier, be more energetic, and be more focused when you run.
What's more, you'll be able to enjoy the pure joy that running brings you, and you'll no longer be a prisoner bound by smoking.
Whether you're an elite player on the field of play or an ordinary person in life, quitting smoking is a big step forward for you.
Finally, Lao Wang once again emphasized the importance of civilized marathon participation, and every participant should be aware of their own responsibility and public morality, and actively abide by the rules of the race to reflect the spirit of sportsmanship.