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Oct 25, 2011

Should you run when sick?

5 miles on the schedule today....done!  It was a nice morning for a run.  About 1/2 hour after I finished it started raining out.  Perfect timing!

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So the big question today is:  Should you run when sick?


My personal thoughts(and many others) is that as long as you just have a cold from your head up, you should be fine to continue your exercise/running program.  I would not start anything new but if you have been used to exercising, it should be fine.  For me personally, when I have a cold(like I do now), running actually loosens up everything in my sinuses and helps clear them up.  At least while I am exercising, I seem to feel better.

Now if you have a cold and it's in your lungs/chest area, I would suggest scaling back the running and try and take it easy and get yourself back in shape before heading out there.  I should not even have to say it but if you have a fever, you should not be exercising.  It's a sign your body needs to rest and recover just like any other part of your body that needs to recover.

I also try and get additional sleep when I'm not feeling well and that also seems to help too.


What are your thoughts?




Have a great day and....Keep Running!!!!
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7 comments:

  1. MalloryOctober 25, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    I agree with your analysis! I just usually see how I feel. I'm a big baby when I'm sick though so I sometimes skip the exercise.

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  2. Running RicigOctober 25, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    I totally agree. If it's a head cold, I keep on trucking. If it's below the neck, I reign it in. I also have a rule that if I'm sick enough to stay home from work, I'm too sick to exercise.

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  3. AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Your analysis is conventional wisdom, but I think it depends on exactly what it is. If I have congestion, I am going for a run because that's the best way to get it loosened up and out of my body. Other symptoms below the neck - maybe, maybe not.

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  4. TNTcoach KenOctober 25, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    Hell yes, what else will you do? I love to not run when I feel great, you can enjoy it better........ HA

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  5. Matt @ Faster Than a TurtleOctober 25, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    It seems like running often helps me when I have a cold or sinus infection. My sinuses seem to be clearer while I'm running...they might not stay clear for long after I finish running, but it's nice to at least have some temporary relief for however long I'm out there. When I run while feeling sick, I try to plan my routes so I can cut them short if I start feeling worse or get congested to the point where it affects my breathing. I don't push it at all, and I pay extra attention to my breathing and anything else that might indicate I need to stop.

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  6. coach dionOctober 26, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    I think you have nailled it...

    but I might take the day off if I'm really tired, that sometimes helps one not to get sick.

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  7. JoannaOctober 26, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    I agree with you completely. Head cold, keep running. Lungs/stomach, stay home.

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