So each of my 3 kids get sick over the last week (cold, cough, nose blow) and now I am sick as well…go figure. They need to learn how to blow their own nose! I am at day 2 of the cold…maybe 3 with the sneezing. Here is my problem, Oceanside is less than 2 weeks away. I have put the training in for certain and was going to start easing things back this week anyway, however now I’m freaking out about it as I took today off and only did a light 6 mile run yesterday. What would you do…a little bit of everything but scale it back? Nothing for a few days? Get right back out there and kick the cold out?? Thoughts? Remedies?
I would start by getting rid of the kids.
Take the time to heal completely. You won’t lose fitness this close to the race but showing up half-sick and exhausted from trying to train through will net you a shitty time (both clock as well as “good time”)
I feel your pain Scott. I’m in the same boat less than 2 weeks before IMOZ. My 2 toddlers spend 2 days/wk at kindy and bring home a new bug each week. I caught the latest one.
2 thoughts:
- My brief research suggests ‘moderate’ training is OK with a cold, though not the flu. A good rule of thumb is that if your symptoms are “above the neck”, including a mild cough, you are probably ok to train lightly. If ‘below the neck’; aches, bad cough, sweats, you may be too sick and should prob see a dr. I trained lightly yesterday, but today I’m lying down web surfing.
- As you say, you should be tapering anyway. The hard work is done, you won’t gain any fitness in 2 weeks blah, blah. Concentrate of getting well rested, and your strength and immunity will be in good shape before race day. I’m just glad it didn’t happen 12 days later.
Remedies? Nah, its all quackery. Time, fluids, adequate rest is about it.
I think the severity of the cold determines the training. You’re inside two weeks, so “the hay is in the barn” as they say, meaning you should be pretty “topped off” on your fitness, and going easy or skipping a day or two during this last two weeks shouldn’t matter.
From personal experience, having a 16-month-old and a 5-year-old preschooler, I caught a decent cold about 10 days ago, and I’m doing Superfrog this coming weekend and O’side the following weekend. I was actually a bit relieved. Why? Because leading up to big races, I’m always freaked about getting sick for the race since my kids pick up all the little kid germs as you know. If I get something two weeks pre-race, I think, whew! I’ll be done with whatever bug I’ve got now well before race date. So, that cold lasted about a week, and I loaded up on Zicam when it first came on, so it never got too bad. Just a scratchy throat, runny nose, but no major energy loss and I was able to continue my regular training. Now, the cold is gone and I’ve got the antibodies in my bloodstream for a little while, meaning I hopefully won’t catch anything else between now and Sunday’s race, or the following weekend for that matter. So, look at it as a “glass half full” thing, not “glass half empty”. See you in O’side!
Go for walks, will keep your legs loose, plus you get an immune system benefit from light exercise.
And wash your hands lots.
And get extra sleep.
I do like D!'s answer, though.
If symptoms are above the neck (stuffy/runny nose, sneezing) then train like it wasn’t there.
If symptoms are below the neck (cough, lung congestion, stomach issues) then rest entirely until symptoms are gone.
Good luck with your race!
-Steven
LOL… great ideas! Being a stay at home dad with kids 3, 5 and 6 I am at the very frontline of germ warfare. Sometimes you just can’t avoid it, I am like OCD when it comes to germs and washing…may have been when the little one sneezed in my face while my mouth was open?? I have to admit the timing is a bit better than coming down with the cold next weekend. Maybe it’s a blessing I was granted the downtime, we shall see next week! Now where in freezer is that homemade minestrone soup I made a few months ago…
Agree with Jay (Tribodyboarder). REST! You can’t really gain fitness, but you can lose it, if you don’t rest.
A few days will help your taper anyway.
I would start by getting rid of the kids.
I second the crazy cat lady’s idea.
I’m with everyone else. Get LOTS of rest and get rid of the kids:)
See you at Oside
HTFU - go ride, and swim - that’ll clear out the nose
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