About to start but...

[hwarren9]

So I was all prepared to start my c25k today. Got my running gear out, downloaded the app, got my head phones and music ready then went to bed. I've now woken up this morning with a horrible cold, not able to breathe through my nose and my whole body feeling like lead.

Im trying to work out if I should still try to go or not. I'll only be on wk1r1 so nice and slow but considering I get very out of breathe when I just walk up the stairs it isn't filling me with confidence I must say!

How does anyone else deal with a cold and running? Can you manage it? I'm blowing my nose every 10seconds and still not able to breathe through it. Throat feels like sand paper and body feels like lead!

[Tepetuu]

Hi there, well done for getting everything ready to start with the c25k! 👍🏻

I'm not a doctor but I'd say wait until you feel better before starting the programme. Perhaps go for a gentle walk until you've recovered a bit, if you feel up to it. Definitely not if you have fever.

Wish you a speedy recovery and good luck with the programme - it will wait for a couple of days 😊

[Rignold]

The normal rule is if the cold is above the neck you can run, but below the neck you can't.

That said if it's W1R1, I would say rest up and wait till you feel fighting fit before starting. A few days wait won't make much difference to when you complete, and you want to give yourself the strongest start possible. While W1 is "only" 60 second runs, it is in some ways the hardest week to do. Going from 0 to 60 is the Biggest leap of the Programme certainly in mental terms. There is no need to make it any tougher than it needs to be.

Rest up, get well soon, then go out and smash it.

[hwarren9 in reply to Rignold]

So above the neck meaning if it's just your nose? What about with a sore throat? I'm just hoping it stays as a cold and doesn't turn into a cough as then it will take me longer before I get to start!

[nhs2015 Graduate]

When I am unwell, I treat myself. Doing nothing apart from Relaxing, feet up, drinking tea and a few panadols. Keeping as warm as possible. Usually staying in bed makes a difference. So, no I would not go out. 🤗

[hilbean Graduate]

I'm with the others on this. Rest up until you feel better. If you still feel like you want to go out and do something maybe just walk it instead. It might also mentally prepare you for the actual running? Hope you feel better soon x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

I agree with Rignold ... start it when you feel on form...

[hwarren9]

Thank you all. Think I will just walk the dog rather than run the dog today.

[Droosie]

No, stay in bed or at least on the sofa until you feel better. You won't enjoy the run with a cold and the first one is a challenge anyway if you haven't run before. Wait until you are better to get the full benefit of it.

[Razouski]

Totally agree with everyone. It's a big step to take so you want to be on top form when you start W1R1. Hope you feel better and are soon on your slow and steady journey from Couch to 30 minutes of running.

[RebeccaSK Graduate]

Reading your post, it has just occurred to me that I've not had a cold since I started Couch to 5k - proof it makes your healthier! I would say that at this early stage, don't run. If you're anything like me when I started, breathing was difficult. Even after 1 minute of running my lungs were burning and heaving and I couldn't breathe. The last thing you want is to have such a difficult time on your first run that you can't face continuing - because, I promise, you will get past the burning lungs as you continue with the programme! I never thought I would - but I have and you will too.

[hwarren9 in reply to RebeccaSK]

I could totally do with no colds! I get them regularly throughout the year, around Christmas, around Easter and around the Summer Holidays. But this year it's early! Looking forward to no colds and being much fitter! How far through the programme are you now?

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to hwarren9]

I'm W8R2 this evening! It's taken me a while though - had to take some time out because of shin splints and repeat a few weeks as I didn't feel able to progress a couple of times. Also, my skin is a lot better than it used to be - guess all that sweating has cleared out the gunk! The best bit - you get to be a bit smug. Even if you can't complete a run (and that happened to me a couple of times in the earlier stages) you're still doing a whole lot more than those people sitting in front of the TV!

[hwarren9 in reply to RebeccaSK]

I'm looking forward to being able to do that!

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to hwarren9]

And you will!!!

[Hidden]

By the time you are better, you will be champing at the bit, desperate to get going. We are all waiting to cheer you on!

In the meantime, take it easy and get well soon

[hwarren9 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I'm looking forward to it. Just feeling quite frustrated right now!

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to hwarren9]

It's so frustrating - you decide you're going to do it and then you can't for whatever reason. At the point I got shin splints I was really progressing well - and then had to take 2.5 weeks out!!!! Listen to your body though!

[allegrachick Graduate]

Stay put! Wait for the cold to go and then get out there and enjoy it. It feels terrible trying to run with a cold and can even make you feel worse. Good luck when you get going - you're going to love it!

[Gillma Graduate]

Remember colds last 7 days or a week - which is no time! So sit tight. One of the skills this forum is (trying) to teach me, I feel, is patience. Oh and the other useful phrase is Injury Couch or IC which sounds a lot more positive than the ordinary old Couch!

[mfamilias Graduate]

I've got a whopping cold at the moment too. I agree with Rig. Although I've never felt like running with a head full of snot, it's probably easier than running with a cough. Hope you're feeling better!