Getting Sick and Running Risks

nutriscience.com
  Getting sick. It's the runner's second worst nightmare. The first being sidelined due to injury.  But it's going to happen.  It's not the matter of if you get sick... but when.  Especially this time of year.And yesterday I woke up feeling tired, my head felt like a cement block, and my nose was running so fast I was stuffing toilet paper in my nostrils in attempt to dam up the flash flood of fluid.
  Needless to say, running seemed out of the question.  However, there are some articles out there that say if you feel sick from the neck down don't run, but if your symptoms are from the neck up and you don't have a fever... running is okay.  http://www.marathonguide.com/training/coachmindy/torunornot.cfm

   I don't disagree at all... sometimes you gotta tough it out and run with that nasty cold.  But I'm also a firm believer in letting your body rest and giving it time to fight whatever illness you've caught.
goodreads.com
   I know most runners deal with the same agonizing dilemma quite frequently. Do I run and risk getting sicker or skip a run and risk falling behind on training? I believe you have to listen to your body and just do what you feel comfortable with. 
  So I took yesterday and today off, in hopes to kick this bug and get back to pounding pavement soon.  I only have a few weeks left before my full marathon, and I hate missing key workouts.  It's agonizing feeling weak but knowing you need to go run at the same time.  I'm popping vitamins, downing bottles of Emergen-C and OJ, and crossing my fingers I'll get back into the game by tomorrow!
  I really hope to get my full 10 miles in tomorrow.  But, if I start to feel sick along the way, I'll cut it short and adjust my training.  Meanwhile, I'll spend the time I would normally be running curled up with my pup.  If I'm every feeling a little under the weather she's always there to try to make me feel better!



Tell me, what's your philosophy on running when your getting sick?  Do you push through it?  What's your "go-to" household remedy for beating the bug?

    Happy Running everyone and if you're feeling a little sick.. get well soon!!  


Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2014 at 7:21 PM

    I like the guideline of whether you feel it above or below the neck. Having said that, I'd take a day off too for the first day or two of feeling bad even if it was just "in my head" haha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJanuary 30, 2014 at 8:58 PM

      That's the philosophy I've pretty much been following. I'll be hitting the pavement tomorrow to see if I'm "good to go" since it IS only the "neck up" lol.

      Delete
  2. UnknownFebruary 2, 2014 at 2:49 PM

    I just listen to my body. I have ran when sick from the head up before and have felt better afterwards. It's like it broke up all that gunk in my head and that's what was needed. However, there has been a time or two that I opted not to run because my body felt run down. All that said, I think it really comes down to listening to your body. Hope you feel better soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownFebruary 3, 2014 at 8:48 PM

      Feeling much better Maria, thanks! Of course my long run yesterday was super rough (see new blog post), I pushed through and managed to finish my weekly goals! I completely agree with running only when your body feels up for it. Happy Trails!

      Delete
  3. Ashley @ Snow Cream and SyrupFebruary 4, 2014 at 3:38 PM

    I'm in that situation right now. I opted to do a strength workout instead of my 6 miler scheduled today - SO wishing I was healthy enough to run, but the strength routine took it out of me. Weak and shaky. So I think it's always better to skip a few days and come back strong, than go for weeks weak and run down.

    ReplyDelete

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