Wediko's Stair Climb - Climb For Hope - A Success!

After stairclimbing events like the Climb For Hope, people often say that they have some coughing issues post climb.  Although many people assume that is it is due to poor air quality in the stairwell or that there is excess dust, this is not the case.  The term used to describe this cough is commonly referred to as "track hack." 

Track hack is caused when vigorous exercise induces a cough and it can happen in any environment, including outside in fresh mountain air.  Middle distance runners (i.e. 800 meter to mile runners) notice it often.  Vertical training (VT) athletes also notice it frequently, and some mountain runners even have their own term for it: "Hike Hack."

This cough typically starts within a few minutes of the end of the event and can last up to three days or longer.  It is caused by extreme deep and heavy breathing, combined with an elevated heart rate.  The harder you push, the worse it can get.  This cough happens because your airway becomes irritated from the air passing over it with such increased volume and velocity, and some of the small blood vessels can even burst.  Extreme athletes will even notice the taste of blood in their mouth after intense exertion.  The airway may also produce phlegm to try to protect and coat itself.

This cough is very common in tower running.  The best way to reduce these symptoms is to train with progressive intensity so your airway and heart strengthen with your muscles.  With some training like stair climbing, brisk hiking or high intensity interval training, you can minimize this drastically.