I was wondering if people run when they are unfortunate enough to catch that horrible disease known as "the common cold". I started running last week and have found it enjoyable so far. Problem is last week I started feeling under the weather and eventually got a full blown cold. I haven't done anything so far this week as I've just felt run down all the time (this goes for all my usual exercises).

So does everyone take a break when they have the cold or carry on regardless?

Carry on; though not as far and not as fast. It's just what I've always done.
This question is quite often asked on the forum, and you're bound to get some quite different responses, both for and (more usually) against running through any kind of illness. In the end, it all comes down to the individual to decide for themselves; but I believe that you'd have to be seriously ill do do yourself any lasting damage by running.

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GONE RUNNING

Usually, when I get I cold, I get it really bad and can't do any exercise.

I hadn't had a cold in years until last spring, when I ended up having to take a week of work. I then got another one in the last week before a marathon.

I highly recommend Vicks First Defence to help you get over your cold. I've got a cold at the moment and feel as if its helping a lot.

It is a personal choice, but you could keep holding yourself back by not resting and wait for the cold to clear, this question has thrown open the doors to debate like pedestrian says but ultimately it is up to you.

Personally I would rest, this is no detriment to pedestrians comments.

TT

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A loser is not the one who runs last in the race. It's the one who sits and watches and who has never tried to run.
Bird in Boots :p

my personal rule is unless it gets into my chest I keep running, though maybe ease up a bit - to be honest you'd often miss half the winter if you kept waiting to be 100% clear, especially the way bugs go round open plan offices.

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Don

I've always found that a run enables me to get rid of more of the gunk from my chest, than just sitting at home being miserable. Not running just magnifies the misery, in fact.
I get the distinct impression that a majority of people are dominated by over-caution: not willing to get out there (or as is often the case; get on the nearest cozy treadmill) at all unless they're 100%. This applies to minor injuries as well as viral infections. unfortunately, these days, this attitude is all too easily backed-up by being able to call upon the advice of people "like us". Hence: "... I got this sniffle/niggle, and I asked those experts on the forum what I should do: so I'm staying in bed for a month and putting my trainers on eBay..."
*sigh*

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GONE RUNNING

I generally feel much better after I've been out with a cold, manage to 'get rid' of a load of it on the way around. Unless ofcourse I feel really rotten but at that point I'm sure the option wether to run or not is obvious.

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Premiership by the end of the 2009 :D

your right pedestrian none of us are Doctors?

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A loser is not the one who runs last in the race. It's the one who sits and watches and who has never tried to run.
Bird in Boots :p

Breakfast anyone........................

I'd just say use some common sense, you'll know if you feel well enough to run! 99% of the time when I have a cold I'll still go out, and feel better for it. On the 1% of times I don't go out, it's usually because I'm spending most of my time ill in bed and my body's telling me to do nothing but rest.

I think that some of the "beginners" maybe give us credit for having expertise and knowledge than we perhaps don't deserve... and quite often a request for advice brings forth such conflicting opinions and advice as to leave the question unanswered.

Advice is generally derived from experience, and considering the widely differing experiences of the forum members, there's always going to be a certain amount of conflict I'm afraid.


...Er... ARE any of us doctors?

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GONE RUNNING

Christ almighty, I'm sorry I asked.

Lol, don't worry wingfinger... all pedestrian is trying to say (I think) is that it's all too easy to wrap ourselves up in cotton wool. Asking for advice from fellow runners is great great start, but ultimately nobody knows what suits you best better than you.

If you take a look at his profile you'll see some pretty fantastic PB's, and I'd imagine he didn't get them by staying at home if he wasn't feeling his best.

Perhaps it depends what you want from your running? If you want to improve as much as possible and become the best runner you can be, then you have to be willing to push yourself to the limits. If running is more a means of keeping fit or losing weight to you, then by playing it safe there's less chance of your cold getting worse, but your running fitness won't improve as much as it could had you carried on regardless.

That's my 2p's worth anyway, and my apologies pedestrian if i'm misinterpreting what you've said or I'm putting words in your mouth!

Nail on the headski, Richard! A fine interpretation. You seem to have a certain knack for getting into the heads of we forumites. You sure you're not a "shrink" or something?

... Or at least a diplomat?

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GONE RUNNING

lol, i've often been referred to as being very diplomatic - I don't like to offend anyone!