Low level training with a cough??

Hurricane151

I am aware of the below the neck rule so whenI developed a bit of a chesty cough I stopped training. It's been nearly 2 weeks now and there's not much improvement. The cough is infrequent (maybe 6/7 tines a day) but it is definitely in my chest. No other ailments and I'm not bringing anything up either.

I'm pretty sure it's a virus (seen a doctor) but not riding is doing my head in. What are purples peoples opinions on just training but nothing more strenuous than zone 2/3?

I don't want to do any long term damage but I also don't want to completely stop if it's not necessary.

Does anyone have any experience of training in this condition? And if so what's the advice?

Cheers

chrisaonabike

I'd be very cautious. A friend who was a keen cyclist years ago was warning me recently against going out in cold air with anything in the way of an inflamed chest. Her experience was that a chest cold turned into pneumonia, and she ended up off the bike for 6 months.

Now, that's extreme, and I'm sure not all similar situations would have the same outcome.

I've just got over a sod of a cold - almost two weeks worth. I went out 4 days ago, for a very short ride - turned back after a mile and a bit since I could feel the cold air hurting my airways, which it never normally does.

Then yesterday I went out - much better, so I did more, and today I was absolutely fine (if slow!) at 26 miles.

Why not try a gentle mile, see if you end up any worse? Then maybe a few miles. If you're still ok, then increase. My mum's been saying to me "Don't overdo it" for the last 35 years - maybe she's right :shock: :shock:

Hurricane151

That sounds like a plan and to be honest I was thinking rollers in the garage to avoid the air thing. Maybe an hour at zone 2, but obviously don't want to put myself backa couple of weeks.

Herbsman

Give it one more week.

ut_och_cykla

If you've been working & living normally teh last two weeks and have been fever free for atleast a week rollers at a level that feels too easy might be best. If you feel worse, run out of puff etc you can just pack in. Even if you go out for a gentle hour in the wind it might be more than you're ready for and finding out 10 miles from home in an icy wind might be a bad idea.

symo

Had mine for about two weeks now, occasional lung butter but nothing too bad. Seems to have got better this week though.

keef66

Given the weather at the moment I'd be cautious. I made the mistake of getting back on the bike too soon after what seemed like a mild respiratory virus. Cough had subsided and I did a couple of night rides back when the temps were about 3-4c. Really set me back and took another 3 weeks before I dared to venture out again.