"I'd rather be seen on my bicycle than on a park run" - Quote from the dark side

Monday 7 July 2014

Running when sick... or not


Sadly I've been battling with flu and a cough and will only start running again tomorrow. During this time I've been asked quite a few times about running while being sick.

I think this is a common question for runners and most people answer with mention about the above the neck and under the neck rule and so on.

Well, firstly it obviously depends what you are sick with. A bad stomach can certainly down many people while a cold can usually be run with.

I think it is different for every runner. I read an article this morning about how do you know when you are sick enough to stay off work. I loved the answer as it is exactly the same as my answer for the question of how do you know you are too sick to run.

The answer: If you are wondering then you are probably OK to run (or go to work). If not you will know that you just can't. That's how I know when not to run when I'm sick. I just know I can't. If I wonder, I will go out for a short, easy run and see how it goes.

This past two weeks have been very frustrating as I've been battling with especially a sore, burny chest. An irritating cough accompanied this and I just knew I could not run at all. I am feeling ready to run today for the first time and will go for an easy 5km tomorrow.

All part of the fun I suppose...

Happy running everyone!

15 comments:

KovasP said...

Extra tough for someone like you who is so consistent with running - have a great run!

One Crazy Penguin said...

Hopefully you're feeling better in no time! Lots of vitamin C!

Robin said...

Being sick just sucks...hope you feel better soon.

Char said...

If in doubt - have a rest day. That's my motto wince I saw an ex-elite athlete on TV who'd decided to train when she was sick. She ended up permanently damaging her heart muscles.

Lauren said...

Oops. That last comment was from me (Lauren), not my son eibmoz1337 (I forgot to log off his account) : )

Lauren said...

Get well soon!

coach dion said...

If I'm sick and running I use my HRM and run easy... some times when you sick the only time you can breath is when running!

Karien P. said...

I'm probably over-cautious when it comes to running when sick - but I'd rather take a day or three off now than do more damage and having to take off even more time down the line.

Hope you're back to running again soon!

Liz said...

Hope you feel better soon, and if in doubt - rest! (but you knew that already)

misszippy said...

Sorry you have been down with the flu. I hope you are back to normal before too long. I am one that tends to back off pretty quickly when getting sick. I've learned the hard way that it doesn't pay to push through.

Giorgio said...

I hope you feel better soon! Take care and rest!

Giorgio said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jill said...

Ugh. Hope you're feeling better and able to get back out there and get the 5k done. This is your year to shine, my friend!! :)

Black Knight said...

I hope you get well soon.
Run or not to run when you are sick: good question. When I was younger I ran..... after no more!

Paul said...

I never run if I have a fever, or if I have lots of chest congestion.

If I'm getting over a cold and all my issues are from the neck up then I will run.

About once a year after a cold, I get this 'reactive airway disease' thing with my windpipe getting inflamed from post-nasal drip, and than can make me cough and cough for weeks.

Finally my Dr figured it out and gave me 2 inhalers that clear it up. They make it possible for me to run and still get over the stupid thing.