This post is written by Jackie Ayers, a BAMRbassador + mom of two in Bend, Oregon, who regularly contributes to our blog. An avid runner, Jackie has worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 15+ years.

CAVEAT: Anyone with underlying health conditions is encouraged to consult a medical provider before starting to exercise in the smoke.

Every year, as Dirty August rolls around, my most-frequented phone app list inevitably shifts to include AirNow from the EPA as I check the AQI each morning. Living in a fire-adapted forest landscape in Central Oregon means we are regularly covered in wildfire smoke. Whether prescribed fire in the spring or active wildfire in the summer/fall, smoke often blankets the landscape in a fog-like layer, which means having a training plan with smoke contingencies is pivotal.

As a runner with no underlying health concerns, I try to follow the same policy as the local Parks & Recreation department: an AQI under 100, I carry on as planned; 100-150, I may shorten a run or change the planned intensity; 151- and above, I will highly reconsider my plans and will likely change to an indoor workout. It’s tempting to push those limits if the days/weeks of smoke drag on. However, having worked alongside Forest Service wildland firefighters for many years, I know not to underestimate the effects of repeated exposure to wildfire smoke.

What’s a runner to do once the smoke has settled in with no end in sight, and my Topo shoes call loudly to break free of the dark hall closet and run for miles through my neighborhood?

I usually start by rearranging my weekly run schedule to prioritize shorter runs I can complete on my old garage treadmill. I grab my tablet, boot up a streaming service, and try to remember what non-animated series everyone is talking about. Severance? No, I don’t need to think about workplace chaos. Maybe The Pitt, where I can channel some 90s/2000s ER vibes. 

This is also an excellent opportunity to reassess my weight training and hit play on a strength workout. Every year, as the longer hours of sunlight beckon me outside and my weekly mileage increases, my tricep kickback rep count decreases. Refocusing on strength midway through the summer always pays off for my fall races. It’s time to dust off those dumbbells and practice my sumo squat. 

If I’m still itching to get some miles under my feet, it’s time to consider hitting up one of the two fabulous fitness centers in my town. While I don’t go often, the professional treadmills help the miles pass when I just need to run it out. If I’m lucky, I can time it out to drop my kids off for an open swim, letting us all get home tired and ready for dinner. 

Beyond training impacts, too often wildfire smoke means community evacuations. While I hydrate and try to stay indoors, it’s just as important to model empathy for the impacted communities and firefighters when discussing our changing routines with my kids. Learning to live and train with wildfire smoke is an ever-evolving process.