 |
Do you ever have one of those moments in life that causing you to think “What the hell am I doing?”
I had one of those today. You see, there has been something going around at work and literally everyone has been sick within the last two weeks. I could feel it coming on all day yesterday and it was in full force last night. I also wasn’t feeling too hot this morning.
Runners are weird people. We might not make the smartest decisions, but it shows that we are dedicated (and very stubborn). I probably spent a good 15 minutes debating whether I should run or not. Eventually, I rolled out of bed and just said the heck with it.
Based on past experience, I’ve found that running with a cold is usually fine. Running with a fever is a suicide mission, but mild symptoms usually clear up faster with low intensity exercise. This might not be the case for every situation, but exercise may even help me feel better by temporarily relieving nasal congestion and getting the blood flowing to your muscles to relieve stiffness.
I use these rules as a guideline when it comes to running (or any other exercise) with a cold:
- Mild to moderate exercise if your signs and symptoms are “above the neck” (such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, or sore throat). If your symptoms don’t improve, cut the workout short or back off on the intensity.
- Cancel or postpone your workout if your signs and symptoms are “below the neck” (such as chest congestion, coughing, or an upset stomach).
- If you choose to exercise when you’re sick, listen to your body. If your signs and symptoms get worse with exercise, stop and take some time off. Sometimes pushing through an illness will just make it last longer.
This wasn’t my smartest idea, but I actually felt pretty good and ended up running 11 miles (one more than my planned 10). It wasn’t my fastest performance, but I’ve definitely had worse.
And being sick is an excuse to get Einstein’s for breakfast right?
I always look for an excuse to go here!
Let’s hope this was just a 24 hour thing! What are you rules for working out when sick?
|
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
yikes, Feel better!
is that eggs on a blueberry bagel??
Clare @ Fitting It All In recently posted..Dad
Are you calling me weird?
i’m calling you genius.
oh yah we runners are a weird group, that’s for sure. I’ve found that when I’m congested or have a cold, running actually clears it up – well, while I’m running at least, as soon as I stop the symptoms come back haha. I like to run long and slow when I’m sick with a cold…mainly so I can stay de-congested as long as possible hahaha. Oh and YES to Einstein’s, that sandwich looks awesome!
Kate recently posted..For Father’s Day
Oh no – get well soon! I don’t have set rules, but it’s not toooo hard to talk myself out of running.
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers recently posted..Surprise Workouts & Surprise Beer
I hope you feel better!! I tend to loosely follow those rules…but ultimately I just listen to my body and go with how I’m really feeling.
Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health recently posted..Friday Favorites and Giveaway Winner
I usually go by the same guidelines. I can usually workout with a cold unless I can’t stop coughing. And I usually workout with an upset stomach since I almost always have stomach problems. But anything that’s a fever or flu-like, nope! I hope you feel better
Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile recently posted..Happy Day
I try to go easy on myself if I feel a little cold coming on but definitely do not run if I’m feeling nausea or have an upset stomach. Feel better soon! Nice effort too
Lynda @ Hit The Road Jane recently posted..I Tried Zumba and Fell in Love
I just listen to what my body says. There’s no shame in spending most of a yoga class in childs’ pose!
Natasha@yogininoms.wordpress.com recently posted..new favorite snack!
Ooof. Feel better soon, darling! I pretty much use the same rules as you…it’s hard when you love to workout and are stubborn to boot!
Take care of yourself! xo
Heather @ For the Love of Kale recently posted..Celebrating Life!
Hope you feel better soon.
I base it by how I feel. Usually during the first two days of a cold, I just feel awful. I feel equally as bad skipping a run, but it wouldn’t be of quality so I figure I’m better off resting.
Christina recently posted..Chicago.
Wishing you good health ASAP. I tend to avoid workouts as much as I can because of a past experience whereby I was sick, did intense workout and it got waaay too worse. Anyways it depends with the sickness.
Ashley Thomas recently posted..kimkardashiantapenews.com
You and me are two of a kind – I seriously will not give up running when I am sick unless I have pains below the neck or a serious fever. I come to find as long as I dont push myself my symptoms get a little better than they would have if I skipped the run. Hope you feel better asap!
Kailey recently posted..Feeling Lovely
I’m a little crazy and will always attempt to workout unless I’m puking or bed-ridden. I’ve learned that unless I’m really sick, getting off my butt and moving around, even just a little bit, makes me feel so much better. I do try not to overdo it though.
Feel better!
those are pretty good rules to follow. I definitely agree with exercise helping to increase the blood flow and with congestion. When I’m sick I usually end up with the worst runny nose or cough. I imagine I’d get weird looks if I was on the treadmill with tissues up my nose but hey, gotta do what ya gotta do….
I just have to say that I love Einstein’s. We don’t have many up north but my sister goes to U of Tennessee and they have one on campus. When I visited her I was so bummed I’d already eaten breakfast b/c their sandwiches looked amazing!
Caitlin recently posted..4th of July and Foodie Photos
{ 3 trackbacks }