Affects of running on a cold?

Spirogyra

Hi have a 10 k Sunday but have had quite a lingering cold. Coughing sporadically and only been out a few times the past week. I'm not feeling too bad,I'm not weak like with the flu. I'd love to run as its been October since my last race. But how does a race normally affect a cold?
Thanks
S ☺

tang1

Spirogyra wrote: »

Hi have a 10 k Sunday but have had quite a lingering cold. Coughing sporadically and only been out a few times the past week. I'm not feeling too bad,I'm not weak like with the flu. I'd love to run as its been October since my last race. But how does a race normally affect a cold?
Thanks
S ☺

If your not at your best you won't race your best. It's your own call but I wouldn't if I was in your shoes. Recover properly and then race.

TFBubendorfer

Been there plenty of times. In general, running is okay as long as you're absolutely sure it doesn't worsen the cold.

Racing, on the other hand, is pointless. You won't be at your best and the racing effort could have negative effects on your recovery from the cold (hard efforts weaken your immune system). There will be plenty of other races, give that one a miss.

rom

Monitoring your resting HR will let you know when you are getting run down next time. 5-8 beats increase could be a sign that you are a little run down. For me its about 10-15 beats. There are phone apps that do it. The great thing is that it will show you that a cold is starting and you can take 1-2 days off rather than a week when its sets in.

Djoucer

There's always the neck rule.

"Symptoms below the neck (chest cold, bronchial infection, body ache) require time off, while symptoms above the neck (runny nose, stuffiness, sneezing) don't pose a risk."

http://www.runnersworld.com/health/should-you-run-when-youre-sick

ultrapercy

Il add my agreement to to what everyone else is saying. If your cold is lingering it means your body is struggling to defend it's self and a bad virus maybe waiting for a mistake from you make its move. Racing in the true sense of the word should leave you wrecked even when you are in top shape. You are vulnerable for a number of days after a good/hard race. Skip this one is my advice, there is no shortage of races these days.

Chivito550

Djoucer wrote: »

There's always the neck rule.

"Symptoms below the neck (chest cold, bronchial infection, body ache) require time off, while symptoms above the neck (runny nose, stuffiness, sneezing) don't pose a risk."

http://www.runnersworld.com/health/should-you-run-when-youre-sick

Be careful with this advice. I would consider a sore throat as "above the neck". I ran with one and ended up with an awful chest infection and missed a couple of weeks of training.

dekbhoy

just run its only a cold. nice warm drink after it and youll be fine. 10 k well manageable with a cold.

average_runner

There is plenty of more races to come this year. Just sit this one out.

Joeseph Balls

Same boat, got a dose this morning, and have the 5 mile in the morning. Lemsip I hope will do trick...

Utdfan20titles

What are the effects of running on a cold though?

Joeseph Balls

Utdfan20titles wrote: »

What are the effects of running on a cold though?

Other than not being 100%, I'm not sure. I'm only running a year so I'm sure a more experienced runner would know.

Slydice

Sometimes, I've felt that my running might heat me up on the inside and help with the cold... I dunno though.. clueless about the body internals.

I would feel bad about going to a race with a cold and possibly giving other people colds too though.

TFBubendorfer

Utdfan20titles wrote: »

What are the effects of running on a cold though?

90% of times there are no ill effects. It's the other 10% that's the problem.

If your body is working hard to defeat the infection, putting additional stress on it can be a bad thing and can increase recovery time.

Hard workouts weaken the immune system. That's the main reason why respiratory tract infections after marathons are very common.

If you have a persistent cough and continue running, especially in winter, you risk it developing into pneumonia. And I'm not talking in theory, that's exactly what happened to me 8 years ago and it's not something I would recommend.

Cona

At a high level, you need to identify which stage the cold is at. When it sets in initially you would have sore throat, nasal congestion etc. the next 5 days your body is at its weakest while it is fighting off the virus. You shouldn't dare to run during this period or the virus will end up moving to your chest which can linger for a long time.

If on the other hand you are on the other side of the cold i.e about a week since it set in, you should be left with phlegm and congestion. Running on this isn't too bad as it will help loosen up phlegm, but don't push too hard, stay hydrated and warm etc

uvox

Prolly best to check in with your doctor on advice and decision...

Utdfan20titles

Utdfan20titles wrote: »

What are the effects of running on a cold though?

Very subtle!