I've had a niggly cold for a couple of weeks now, one of those low-lying insidious ones that make you feel generally under-par and like crawling into a hole until all is better again. I thought it was on the way out, then yesterday morning I got a throbbing headache and started feeling a bit dizzy - the tube ride back from Stockwell was enough to tip me over the edge and I took to my bed for the rest of the afternoon.
Which brings me to the point of this post and the question 'should I run when I'm sick?'
Most runners' main concern is that they'll lose performance by having a few days off.
No, you won't. It takes an extended period of time for you to see a drop in your fitness, usually two to three weeks. In my experience, many runners are on the verge of over-training anyway, and a few duvet days may provide a well-deserved physical and mental break.
I tend to follow a few simple rules - if you’re sick from the neck up (cold, sore throat,) then you can probably still run. If you’re sick from the neck down (body aches, chesty coughs, fever,) then you absolutely should not run. Your immune system is working hard to get you well, and a workout will delay your recovery.
In particular, you should never run with a fever. The risk of damage to your heart is a real issue with possible life-long consequences.
Listen to your body on this one and begin again when you feel 80-90% back at your normal energy level.
Today my head aches and I have a chesty cough and it's raining outside. Bring on the duvet, tea on tap and M&S yum yums! (And Tomo, would you be a love and bring me The Wire Season 3 pleeease!)
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