DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I live in northern Canada, where winters are quite severe. I also am a dedicated runner, and I run year-round, winter included. My wife says I will freeze my lungs when the weather is cold. Cold weather has never bothered me, and I know enough about the cold to quit running if I’m getting chilled.

This is the first that the frozen-lung topic has ever been expressed to me. Is there such a thing? — W.H.

ANSWER: Cold air warms rapidly when it passes through the nose and into the throat, well before it reaches the lungs. I’ve looked for information on frozen lungs but have found none. I take it that means it doesn’t happen to exercisers whose body temperature hasn’t fallen.

People like you, who live in cold climates, have become acclimatized to cold. Their body temperature stays near normal for much longer periods of time than the body temperature of those not used to such weather. Fishermen of the extreme north often fish with bare hands, something that unacclimatized people couldn’t possibly do.

It’s not so much cold air that makes runners uncomfortable, it’s the dryness of cold air. It depletes moisture from the lining of the nose, mouth and throat.

Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf or mask. Try to breathe mostly through the mouth.

TO READERS: The booklet on fitness describes how to best devise an exercise program for the average person. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 1301, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Every year, on the empty lot next to my house, I make a skating rink. I dig up dirt for banks and freeze it with water from my outdoor spout. It attracts all my boys’ friends and plenty of my neighbors.

This year, I cough after I play hockey with my sons, but not during the play. They say it’s because I’m getting old. I don’t think so. Is it the cold? — J.F.

ANSWER: The coughing isn’t from cold air. It’s from the dryness of cold air. Coughing during recovery from exercise in dry air is common. As I told W.H., cover your nose and mouth with a scarf or mask, and drink water while you play.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have a question that I hope you can answer: What speeds distinguish walking from jogging and jogging from running? And will you give me the calorie burning of each? — M.A.

ANSWER: I hope I can answer your question, too.

Keep in mind that calorie expenditures depend on body weight. It takes a lot more energy to move a heavy body than it does a light one. I’m basing the calorie estimates on a person weighing 130 pounds.

Walking is usually defined as a pace of three miles covered in one hour, which is 20 minutes for every mile. The calorie burning is 4.4 calories for every minute of walking.

Jogging is a pace of five miles in one hour, 12 minutes per mile. Such exercise burns around 8 calories for every minute of jogging.

Running is often considered as a pace of 8.5 miles in an hour, 7 minutes per mile. I don’t believe I can run that fast for a full mile. This amount of exercise burns 14 calories for each minute of running.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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