How much should you ride when sick?
02-03-07, 02:04 PM
#1
Portland Fred
Thread Starter
How much should you ride when sick?
How do you know when you shouldn't ride? Is putting in a few miles likely to do more good or harm if you're not capable of doing a real ride?
People who know me sometimes hear me say "the most important time to be out there is when you don't want to be" because I figure it will help me be mentally prepared for anything I might need to deal with. Also, I find that exercise usually makes me feel better if I'm not quite at 100%.
I rarely get sick, but every few years, I absolutely finish myself off with a ride -- i.e. practically collapse with my head in a fog when I enter the house, not get up for hours, and am almost totally out of commission for a few days. I don't like being off my bike and I generally like to do what I can, but I can't tell when I'd just be better off doing nothing for awhile.
People who know me sometimes hear me say "the most important time to be out there is when you don't want to be" because I figure it will help me be mentally prepared for anything I might need to deal with. Also, I find that exercise usually makes me feel better if I'm not quite at 100%.
I rarely get sick, but every few years, I absolutely finish myself off with a ride -- i.e. practically collapse with my head in a fog when I enter the house, not get up for hours, and am almost totally out of commission for a few days. I don't like being off my bike and I generally like to do what I can, but I can't tell when I'd just be better off doing nothing for awhile.
02-03-07, 02:23 PM
#2
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The "ride when you don't want to" has more to do with psychological state than health state. If you've got an infection - coughing up colored flem, have a fever - REST.
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02-03-07, 02:31 PM
#3
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If you've got a trainer, ride that at a recovery-ride clip. Or, do some light weight training. Some activity can't hurt, and can raise endorphins to help you feel better. Too much, though, could put you down. Listen to your body. If you feel lousy, and cycling doesn't pay your bills, lie low 'til you feel better.
02-03-07, 02:42 PM
#4
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I'm a doc and a cycle addict. So far i've had no deterioration of any mild virus infection (common cold) whenever i took a not manic-paced ride.Finishing the ride i felt much more vigorous! Don't ride though if you're having fever, serious headaches, nausea, photophobia,total exhaustion or other flu symptoms, it's a further stress to a struggling immune system.
02-03-07, 02:46 PM
#5
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Originally Posted by mimis
Don't ride though if you're having ... photophobia
Seriously, what?
02-03-07, 02:54 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by rog
Huh? I'll admit, I'm not especially photogenic...
Seriously, what?
Seriously, what?
02-04-07, 09:21 AM
#7
Portland Fred
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by bdcheung
The "ride when you don't want to" has more to do with psychological state than health state.
When I say that, I really mean that it's important to ride when you have excuses not to.
02-04-07, 09:25 AM
#8
Peloton Shelter Dog
Originally Posted by bdcheung
The "ride when you don't want to" has more to do with psychological state than health state. If you've got an infection - coughing up colored flem, have a fever - REST.
I agree. Otherwise ride if you want to. Your body will tell you if/when you're too sick to ride. I typically can ride through most colds. Missed one day due to illness over the past two seasons. But I did ride many times with some fairly nasty colds. Another symptom that keeps me off the bike is if I feel achy/flu-like symptoms or weakness. That's what made me pull the plug on a ride about two months ago. But stuffy head/cough/sore throat - the ride generally makes me feel better.
