sac02

I felt it coming yesterday, and today I'm officially sick. Which is worse
when attempting to get in shaope for race season - trying to ride and train
while sick, or taking a week off to get back to full health?

Mac

Second Mouse

There are a few old threads on this topic. Here's one:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=sick+training

palesaint

Depends on what kind of sick. If it's above the neck, go ride. But be ready to take it a little easy if your body needs that. If it's below the neck (bad cough, chest pain etc), take the day off. I had a nasty head cold and when it would feel like it was at its worst, I would hit the trainer or do a short hour ride. Really helped to get things flowing and I would blow a good majority of it out. That and mucinex kept me from having to visit the doc.

The trainer is really useful for riding when sick. If you start feeling worse, just step off it and go rest. Harder to do when 10 miles away on the road.

prendrefeu

Yes.

macdonwald

A recent NY Times on the subject.

rumrunn6

Do 2 things:
- boost your immune system
- boost your metabolism

OK, 3 things - get a good night's sleep

OK 4 things - force fluids (drink when not thirsty)

Research the 1st 2 things.

bccycleguy

My experience is if you are coming down with a cold or flue then there is a good chance you'll make yourself really sick if you go riding. Once you are on the mend, I think time on the trainer is ok as long as you don't get chilled.

I've had 3 colds so far this winter, and I rode outside and got chilled several times and had a major setback each time.

rumrunn6

I agree with the chill effect. I always wear a wool hat to bed this time of year and when my kids get sick I make them do it. I exercise through my colds but always indoors under climate controlled conditions. Do you have access to a hot tub? I'm a big fan of them and my gym has one.

mattm

softly, yes

fauxto nick

Above the neck yes, below, no.

sibaudio

i'm in the same boat. rode the bike the other day and I feel like it just made it worse.. I'm gonna take it easy until i'm completely better. For me sometimes taking a couple days off then hitting it hard feels great and is when i'm riding my hardest.

phoshizzo

If I feel like I might be coming down w/ something, I take a few days off, and I go to bed early to get as much rest as possible. Taking a few days off to recover will not effect your training or fitness. Riding and training when your sick, may or may not work for you. Sometimes you get over it, sometimes you get worse.

I'd just take the time off until your feeling better and consider it recovery days. Better to play it safe.

StephenH

It seems to me it's better to ride a little bit, even if it's half the speed or something, than to just sit around the house a whole week.

rizz

I came down with a chest cold the day before the first race o the year (which I did). I still have it two weeks later. Where are the scientists and the cures? Argh!

Busta Quad

If you can post, you can ride.

Isn't that a rule?

Ratfish

I got a slight stomach bug or slight case of food poisoning today, so I'm going to skip my ride but I may take a walk. I think failing to eat and losing muscle as a result is going to be far worse than not exercising.

bostongarden

Nope

palesaint

Umm, yeah. A stomach bug is DEFINITELY below the neck. Haven't ever heard anyone suggest riding off a stomach flu.

One more thing regarding head and chest colds. Avoid decongestants that just dry you out. Just prolongs the agony. If you're in dire straights, nyquil is good for getting to sleep. But it's not a good solution to the problem. Gotta let the system clear itself out so that you get quick healing. As mentioned above, mucinex is awesome for keeping things flowing. Advil and cough drops work for getting to sleep also.