training with a headcold ?

Seres

hopefully i wont get a slap on the wrists for this . I have a head cold and today i have planned a speed session , should i go with easy few miles or do speed session . I just want peoples personal OPINIONS and will accept thats all they are !

aero2k

Hi Seres,
In your situation, I'd go for the easy miles, and not very many of them.
I always like to be in good shape for a speed / tempo session to make sure I get the maximum benefit from it. On the occasions when I start a session and can't hit the pace targets I postpone the hard work for a day or two, and have an easy run instead.
It probably goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, if running makes any of your symtoms worse, then it's definitely not a good idea, and you should seek medical advice.

TFBubendorfer

My opinion is that it's ok to go running with a head cold, but as soon as you feel any symptoms below the neck you stay at home.

entropi

My personal opinion is that any exercise while unwell is only detrimental to your recovery. From what i've studied in college, it can hinder your recovery rate by as much as 25%.

But thats just my 2c of course...

911sc

Stay in bed or in front of the fire.

Fernando1

I wouldn't go ahead with the speed work anyway. A few easy miles if you really feel the need to get out.

mitresize5

In my humble opinion running with a cold is taking the fast lane to ending up in bed with a chest infection .... its happened me more than once

average_runner

I have a cold for the last 3-4 days and have given running a miss till sat day as feeling alot of better today.

I feel bad for not going out running but in the long term its the best solution.

Blame the marathon for this as took a easy 2 week break from it, with one session of speed work only. Got the cold on sat and was ment to return to training on MOnday:mad:

Krusty_Clown

I find you're very liable to pick up colds, flu and other ilnesses after running a marathon because:
1) You're run down after the over-exertion of the race and the months of training
2) If you're like me, you end up catching up on a few missed late nights, having given up the booze for a few weeks before the race

Like mitresize5 I've been the victim of having a few colds develop into chest infections, which means antibiotics and longer layoffs. So in future, i think I'll wrap up warm, watch DVDs and curse the germs keeping me inside.

Seres

thanks guys , will stick to easy miles to cold subsides !

Condo131

I find that running through a headcold is ok, but speedwork causes lots of problems for me. I get clogged sinuses, ears etc, with consequent risk of heavier chest cold, or worse still ear or chest infection. You've a greater likelyhood of getting cold during/after the session too - need to change out of your gear pretty rapidly after finishing.

I find this helps: A couple of drops of friars balsam (from your chemist) in a basin of HOT water. Cover your head & the basin with a towel and inhale. I'd generally be borderline running/not running before I do this and would NOT be doing a speed session.

With a headcold, if in doubt, just do an ordinary training run and forget the speed session. If you tip the balance the wrong way, it'll just take you longer to get back to where you are now.