How long to wait after illness?

I've been down with a bad chest cold since the weekend, and haven't ran since last Friday. I'm now feeling about 70% better, but still have coughing jags from time to time throughout the day. Should I wait until I'm 100% better, or is it safe to go out? I don't want to make my lungs any worse, but I'm itching to get back out!

[melly4012 Graduate]

It really depends how you feel. I've heard people on here say if the problem is from the neck up then you can still run but if it's from the neck down then to rest up. If you're feeling 'nearly' better you could always go out for a try and I imagine you'll know pretty soon if it's a struggle. Perhaps you could then just make it a 30 minute walk if you're not sure the runs are a good idea? Trust your body, it will tell you if you are pushing it too soon. You won't loose too much fitness in a week so don't worry about that, you should still be able to pick up where you left off.

[Jonesycat Graduate]

Bite the bullet and wait - absolutely no point in knocking yourself back; the body uses a lot of its resources while its healing itself, so let it do its job. I know it feels horribly frustrating but patience now will make for a much better experience when you do get back out there.

All the best.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Longer than you think, is my answer. With three years of running under my belt, I have experienced drops in performance and enjoyment when running too soon after illness. Whereas you may feel well enough to carry on with the rest of your daily life, you will feel the impact of illness on strenuous exercise for a much longer period.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I always wait a little while after I think I'm ready. I have had too many knock backs from going out too early. Also I always start with a walk first to judge how I really feel. Hope you feel better soon

[curlyann Graduate]

Hi. I had a nasty ear infection a few weeks ago that stopped me in my tracks for a few days. Like you I was itching to get going again and just decided to go for it. Mistake! Leave it at least until your cough has stopped but in the meantime if you want to be out just walk your normal route and hopefully you'll feel back up to par very soon :-).

[MVeganlatte Graduate]

Hiya

I wondered how you are feeling now and whether you got back out running again? Because I think we were kind of running parallel with each other, and I remembered your name?

Hope all good

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[Hidden in reply to MVeganlatte]

Hi VeganLatte! Sorry I have been non-exsistant on here the last month. I still haven't totally recovered from that illness. What I thought was just a chest cold was a bad case of bronchitis by the time I went to the doctors. I think I did make it worse by trying to continue to run. I've finished my course of antibiotics now, and hope to get back out there next week. AWESOME job on keeping with it and graduating! You must be so proud of yourself and your whole gang! I'm just so bummed that I'm going to have to basically start over. I'll start posting again when I'm back to week 5 again.

[MVeganlatte Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Oh, I'm so sorry you had such a nasty setback. But please don't wait until Week 5 to start posting again - not nice for you to have to retrace your steps, but you will be missing out on all the warmth and support here for you.

We hadn't yet graduated, but did this morning! I'm just trying to find out who I'm supposed to tell!

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