Running/cardio when sick

Jamr8231

Do you?

I know it's not a good idea, but I'm really "craving" a run. Currently sat here with a mild cough on a drizzly morning, and looking longingly outside.

taunto_

No. When I am sick I look for comfort foods and bed rest.

mperrott2205

I never train when I am genuinely sick.

mbaker566

depends.
if i feel up to it. but if i don't feel up to it, i don't.

louise13dunstan

I think the official rule is if its neck up ur ok to do it, its neck down, better to rest.

devilwhiterose

If it's just a head cold (I'm sinus/allergy/broken), I usually do. However, if it heads towards the chest or I'm body-aching, I don't. Rest up.

stealthq

Sick from what? An allergy, then I'll go - running usually helps with sinus-type problems for me. A viral/bacterial infection, then no. I tend to take longer to recover if I do that. I might take a walk or stretch, or do other types of things I'd do on a rest day.

ald783

devilwhiterose wrote: »

If it's just a head cold (I'm sinus/allergy/broken), I usually do. However, if it heads towards the chest or I'm body-aching, I don't. Rest up.

That's generally how I feel. I find that running actually opens up my lungs and helps me breathe better and end up feeling better. If I feel totally run down and like I'm ready to collapse, I would not. But if you're craving a run I'd say it's probably the former and you'll be fine.

Virkati

stealthq wrote: »

Sick from what? An allergy, then I'll go - running usually helps with sinus-type problems for me. A viral/bacterial infection, then no. I tend to take longer to recover if I do that. I might take a walk or stretch, or do other types of things I'd do on a rest day.

For me it's this ^^^

csuhar

I'd say do what you feel you're up to, especially if you feel a craving for a run. But you might want to think about adjusting your route.

If I'm feeling under the weather, that's where I either hit a treadmill or a sports-style running track. Then, if I suddenly find myself less able to continue on than I'd originally thought, it's easier to get back to my car. Large loops or out-and-back routes, even if only long enough for 5k distance, can be really obnoxious because you either have to finish the loop or backtrack the entire distance you've already gone.

tiny_clanger

Try a walk rather than a run. The last time I had a mild cough and was craving a run, I went out, had an asthma attack at 2.2k and was out of action for a month and off work over a week. Bad times!

FabianRodriguez94

If it's a runny nose/cough, I usually just go ahead and work out. Like someone said above, it usually makes me feel a bit better and clears up my sinuses. However, if your chest is very congested and your coughing excessively during your run/workout, then that would be the time to rest.

SuggaD

If really sick, I rest. If just a little sniffles, I'll still workout.

lmr0528

It depends what I'm sick with. If it's a stomach bug I don't do anything. If its a cold/sinus thing then I try and do something light, like a slow bike ride or a nice walk around the neighborhood, just so I do something.

urloved33

I do

oh_happy_day

If it's just a head cold/the sniffles and you have the energy, sure. I usually do something light. If you have an infection, fever, body aches, respiratory issues etc - no.

I have the flu at the moment. All I'm doing is some light stretching because I'm getting cramped from sleeping so much. I miss exercise

shadow2soul

It really depends. If it's along the lines of a stuffy nose (allergy/minor cold related). Then, ya, cardio helps me breathe which actually makes me feel better for a little bit anyway.

Now, if it's like recently where I had bronchitis, then no. I won't workout at all (no lifting or cardio). I'm actually just getting over the cough, but I haven't worked out most of September since I've had it. The fever went away with the antibiotics I was prescribed, but I've still had the deep cough from my chest. I was told to take it easy until the cough went away. Thankfully, it's just about gone because I miss my workouts. I'm also pretty sure my fellow gym goers appreciate that I didn't come into the gym with it.