Maintaining fitness during illness

marathonmom72

Today marks day 13 since I got sick. I was sick for 3 days the week before that - so I've already been sick over half this month. I am feeling helpless as I watch all my hard work waste away. I am 11 weeks away from my next half marathon, and I have 2 more following that one just a few weeks later. I am also 5 months away from a sprint triathlon. I've read that you should not work out if you are sick from the neck down, and I've also read that you should not go more than 72 hours without a workout. All great advice if you are sick for just 2 or 3 days. What do you do when it's longer than that?! How do I best care for myself while I wait to get better???

Jennloella

I think it all comes down to how you feel. Sure, you feel sick, but do you feel good enough to work out? Or does breaking into a sprint make you start coughing, hacking, gagging, all while shooting snot out your nose? If you're so sick that you can't work out then your body probably needs the rest. If it's only slightly uncomfortable but you can still manage a workout, then do it, it will probably even help.

delilah47

i am not a doctor and you need to see one and follow the doctor's advice. it is not natural to be sick for 13 days. if you have diabetes, it is even more important to see a doctor. and.. if you are trying to recover from illness you need to skip a marathon or two.. or three.. until you are positively recovered. please see your doctor? :flowerforyou:

firefly171717

If you are up to it an easy workout, especially cardio seems to help me when I am sick but don't push yourself!!!

marathonmom72

Been to the doctor already...no help. Did some more searching and still finding the 'below the neck' rule to be a pretty common school of thought. Just looking for suggestions of what to do in the mean time.