Training (or not!) with a cold

PaulH_2010

I've tried a quick search and couldn't find anything definitive in the forum on this and, since everyone I know seems to be sneezing constantly, it seemed quite apt to ask it again.

My winter training (a mix of slow and steady and shorter, higher intensity sessions) has taken its 2nd knock in 3 weeks due to a cold. Actually It clearly isn't a cold, but more man flu/deadly virus (same thing) which is clearly more threatening than swine and bird flu combined. But, I've only been out once on the bike so far this week and that was for 14 miles and distinctly uncomfortable.

I know there is a rule saying if it is above the neck then it is ok to train, below it then take it easy, but how accurate is it?

My endurance has really taken a knock over the past 3 weeks as I think I've only managed 70+ milers in that time, the rest of the time has been short stuff 5-10 miles before I start wheezing like a faulty hoover.

So my questions are....
What can I get away with/do?
What are your guidelines for training when you're under the weather?

Thank you!

ozzzyosborn206

i tend to have a running nose for most of the winter months and train ok with that, but yeah if you can feel it in your chest or like you say you feel really drained i would say rest get 110% better other wise you will just make it worse, my mate had a bad chest when we went to lanza for a training camp but still trained as he had spent all that oney to go there, he ended up getting infected lungs and took months to recover properly from what otherwise may have only been a few weeks

Alex_Simmons/RST

PaulH_2010 wrote:

I've tried a quick search and couldn't find anything definitive in the forum on this and, since everyone I know seems to be sneezing constantly, it seemed quite apt to ask it again.

There are plenty of threads on it but here's a link for you:
http://www.cyclecoach.com/index.php?opt ... Itemid=107

freehub

When I get a cold I'm straight off the bike until it's gone, don't care where it is living in my body.

ut_och_cykla

Take it easy at the beginning of a cold. Once you're sure its not going to be bird flu or similar take it easy. Eat healthily, take a few walks, get extra sleep. Once the symptoms begin to wane and you start to feel better you can get back to cycling - but only gently and well wrapped up. Coughs can take a while to go - you can exercise with a cough as long as you feel well otehrwise.
But listen to your body - and be kind to it - hard exercise when you have an infection can cause all kinds of serious problems, like heart sac inflammation (which is not nice ). caution and common sense !

SBezza

I've had winter sniffles for a few weeks now, unless it gets to my throat, it is business as usual. If you took time off the bike at this time of year for every sniffle, you would hardly ride.