Got the flu! :(: Strange question how do you... - Couch to 5K

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Got the flu! :(

Navytraining97 profile image
8 Replies

Strange question how do you keep on top of fitness when you have the flu, I'm really struggling to complete a run at the moment because I have quite a bad cold but if I miss runs I feel like I've set myself back, do people just ignore the cold or wait til they have recovered?

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Navytraining97 profile image
Navytraining97
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8 Replies
ArthurJG profile image
ArthurJGGraduate

The advice is never to run with a chest cold. You can get away with it if it’s a head cold and you don’t feel too bad, but basically if you’re ill you’re ill and it’s usually better to rest. You can usually pick up from where you left off after a gap of up to two weeks but listen to your body and don’t overdo it. You’ll be well again soon enough and the running will still be there for you then.

Navytraining97 profile image
Navytraining97 in reply toArthurJG

Ah fair enough I was expecting everyone to say they carry on! Loos like I'll be weight training for the next few weeks til I'm fit enough to run again!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

If you have flu..you won't want to run...if it's a cold..the rule is...above the neck..fine..below the neck..no.

Hydrate well..rest up and don't run until you feel completely well.

Navytraining97 profile image
Navytraining97 in reply toOldfloss

You're right I really don't want to run haha! But pushed myself to see if I was able to do it because I feel guilty otherwise however it was a massive struggle so I'll wait until I'm better

davelinks profile image
davelinksGraduate

No, don't run if you have bad cold, worst scenario is if it's a bad cold, chest infection etc it can put a strain on the ticker, don't want that do we! as for fitness, don't worry about that, just get back into it when you're recovered.. you're doing great, have a break..

Have you seen this link for essential reading?

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

If you have flu then you probably wouldn't feel like getting out of bed never mind going to the gym! And if you have a cold then I'm impressed you feel like doing anything except lounge around and drink honey and lemon and feel sorry for yourself 🤒 (Or is that just me?🙄)

A cold takes it out of us more than we think and puts pressure on the heart as our body heals so take it easy and make sure you're fully recovered before pushing hard.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

I think the best thing is to wrap up and concentrate on getting better... fitness takes a couple of weeks to start to drop, and anything you do lose will come back real quick. Get well soon, the runs will wait.

Elfe5 profile image
Elfe5Graduate

You don’t! You rest, recover & then get going again. There are always going to be interruptions, but we can run around those! 😄

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