Episode 137: Returning to Running after Covid: A Conversation with Dr. Tod Olin, Pulmonologist and Director of the National Jewish Health Exercise and Performance Breathing Center

Dr. Tod Olin is a pulmonologist and director of the National Jewish Health Exercise and Performance Breathing Center in Denver, where he works with athletes of all levels, including Olympic and professional athletes. Dr. Olin is also one of the leading experts on returning to exercise after Covid. As Dr. Olin mentioned in this recent New York Times article, (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/03/sports/running-after-covid.html) the timeline for returning to running at full training capacity after having Covid, even mild cases, looks different for every athlete. As coaches, we are seeing this, too. As Dr. Olin mentions in the New York Times article and on our podcast, "Compared to most viral illnesses, the expectation that athletes should have is that it takes on average twice as long to get back to where you were." Accordingly, athletes need to respect the virus and not rush back into training just because there's a race on the schedule to ensure a full recovery and avoid long-term ramifications. In this episode, Dr. Olin provides guidance and encouragement to runners riding this struggle bus. In addition to heading up the Exercise and Performance Breathing Center--he is the leading expert on vocal cord dysfunction-- Dr. Olin also served as a physician during the Tokyo Olympics and shares his unique experience caring for athletes in Athlete's Village. If you or someone you know is struggling with returning to running after Covid, please listen and share this episode. Dr. Olin generously shared his email and encouraged listeners with questions to email him at exercise@njhealth.org. We are so grateful to Dr. Olin for sharing his expertise with us. If you haven't yet, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. And, of course, follow us on instagram at @runfartherandfaster and Facebook. Thanks for listening!