Above or below the neck. Sickly Loris.

[SlowLoris]

Severe bout of nycticebus flu. Runs in the family.

Two weeks ago I was just south of the Tropic of Capricorn looking forward to some hot weather running. Within a week I was struck down with a cold and bronchial cough. Basically coughing all through the night. Madame Loris has decided she actually prefers the snoring. So no running.

Various over the counter pharmaceuticals had no effect. You can get some serious stuff in foreign parts without prescription, but I refuse to touch antibiotics unless I'm dying of septicaemia. So last Friday I decided to go for a run. It really couldn't make me feel any worse. 30C and about 85% humidity. 2 miles out on a very gentle incline then back again. Nice and slow.

I sort of forgot the slow bit as I was coughing and spluttering a bit. Did it make me feel worse? Yes it did. After two miles I'm coughing up gobbets of custard and my lungs feel like a steel band is being tightened around them. I turned around and headed back to town. Then. after another minute or two, I realised my head was clear. My sinuses had freed up and I had stopped coughing up horrible stuff. Alright I still had a sore throat and felt rough but for the rest of the day I felt like I'd discovered a miraculous cure.

I hadn't. You can't kill bacteria or viruses with running and the following day I felt rubbish again. I didn't have time for more running but would have done if I could, even with a bad bronchial cough; because it really cleared the tubes out for a while.

I'm not relating this seeking outpourings of sympathy for my Loris flu (but feel free, a few virtual hugs never hurt). No, just to say that general advice is always to rest up. If the cold is below the neck then don't run.

If you want to run then run. It won't kill you. It might even make you feel better. I'm back in Blighty now and still feel rough but went for a run along the cliff top and again feel better for it.

"Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the blind obedience of fools." (Often attributed to Douglas Bader but actually said by his flying instructor.)

[Jell6 Graduate10]

Sorry you felt/feel rough. 🤗🤗

Totally agree about the overuse of antibiotics, but gobbets of custard!! 🤮🤮🤮.

Hope you are back on form soon.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Sounds like you really need those virtual hugs, here's a special granny one (). I too had chesty cough last week, finally headed out yesterday after night of no cough - 4k, again today 10k sorted. Hope that's your dose of coughs over for the winter.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Oh coughing is rough i too find a bit of a run clears my chest, but do rest and get properly better between runs

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Virtual hugs and get well soon sent your way SlowLoris. It’s awful when you fall ill on your holiday too, but so often happens when you get away from busy life and relax.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Yes wise words, if a little too descriptive in parts!!! I hope you feel better soon

[Hidden]

I always like to check out your pic to see who you are today... I hope that this isn't bad taste, but you could be feeling worse you know

[SlowLoris in reply to Hidden]

I know that only too well Helen.

Actually I am much improved and did the usual 8 miler around the New Forest with our regular group. I miss it when I'm away.

The point of the post was really just to emphasise that sometimes when you feel really rough a run can help. Just go slower and/or shorter. Even if it's a struggle doing it you'll probably feel better after.

As for Mr James, one of the funniest people I ever listened to.

[Hidden in reply to SlowLoris]

I know, I had such a soft spot for him. Sadly missed☹️

Glad you are feeling better though👍