Sick and Cranky...

[alexis_the_tiny]

It seems like ever since I started training seriously this year, I've done nothing but fall sick. So, a reason could be because I used to volunteer in a special school and when one kid gets sick, well everyone does. But I've looked over the last 6 months and there seems to be a pattern, I'd be able to do a really good, hard bike session, feel terrific and as though my training is finally going somewhere and BAM, I'm sick. With, oh, I don't know, flu-like symptoms, an inexplicable fever, sore throats, dizziness, incredible tiredness & etc. They don't all come at once, they usually come individually or in a fun mix-n-match set. And its making me very, very cranky. Having to stay off the bike or 'ease back into training' is very annoying after the first 5 times. I can't be 'easing back' into training once every darned month, I wouldn't get anywhere with training at that rate.

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong here. My training load is not as hard as it could be. I try to eat relatively well, except for my moody days when I get so anxious I can't eat at all but those are far and few as long as I keep riding. And there's all the stuff about taking supplements which I'm following but its not really helping to stave anything off. Someone mentioned that putting on more weight might help which I'd agree on the basis that more weight would give me more power. But apart from that, I have no idea what else to do to keep these odd episodes out.

[indysteel]

Have you been to your doctor yet? I would venture a guess that it's time for a good blood workup.

[malkin]

If you are new to your school, you'll probably get everything for about a year, and then the longer you work there the less this will happen.

In the meantime: Wash your hands every chance you get!

Blood work is a good idea too.

[OakLeaf]

Are you sure you're not overtrained? It's more than your specific training load that contributes to that, it's your whole life - work stress, family, everything. How many recovery days are you incorporating into your week? Maybe add another one. How's your resting heart rate the morning after one of your "good, hard" rides? Hard training does suppress the immune system, that's why professional athletes get colds so often.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Malkin, I'm not volunteering with the school any more for this term because of work stuff so there's no more chances for me to get exposed to stuff. But its really hard to avoid catching colds when a sniffly kid comes up to you and just CLINGS.

Oakleaf, trouble is, its hard to isolate one particular cause of stress. I've had a crazed year with all sorts of stress and trouble coming at me in all directions. Before this current bout of cold, I've cut training days to a bare minimum and am taking about 3 full days of rest. I don't about my resting heart rate because I keep forgetting to take it.

Now that this bout of sore throat-sinus infection thing is going away, I'll be starting a fresh log when I start training again. Hopefully, being a bit more religious about keeping it, getting some blood work done and seeing my therapist again will help to answer some questions.

[spindizzy]

Some thoughts....Are you getting enough sleep? Are you a diligent handwasher/keep your hands away from your face person?

[bunny_ninja]

When my bf was riding a lot (200+ miles/week and sometimes 2 centuries on the weekend), he was sick all the time. Performance athletes get lowered immune systems. You should consider a rest week every fourth week, and try to sleep 9.5hours/day. I think that is the rule of thumb for training.

[Crankin]

I went through this when I was teaching 6-8 aerobics classes a week, as well as working full time, with 2 little kids. I constantly had swollen glands, sinus infections, bronchitis, and my asthma reared its head. I was also super skinny, and not from trying to lose weight. Oh, and I also got up at 4:15 AM 2-3 days a week to teach at the gym.
After a bout with heart palpitations, from lack of sleep and too much caffeine trying to sustain this lifestyle, I decided to cut my schedule of classes. The issue slowly resolved itself, after years of this. It was just plain over training and lack of down time. While I ride and do other sports now, I am very careful about my rest time, both physically and mentally. Being 20 years older helps, too!
Everyone is different. I know I couldn't keep up the training schedules some others here do, even though I might want to. Get a good physical and maybe a nutritional check up.

[Lesley_x]

I worry a lot about this as I'm not prone to bugs and things. I did wonder when I started cycling, is this going to make me sick more?

Is the increased susceptibility to viruses only in performance athletes or also those of us who are exercising casually?

It makes me wonder about the supposed health benefits of exercise.

[indysteel]

I worry a lot about this as I'm not prone to bugs and things. I did wonder when I started cycling, is this going to make me sick more?

Is the increased susceptibility to viruses only in performance athletes or also those of us who are exercising casually?

It makes me wonder about the supposed health benefits of exercise.

This is by no means intended to serve as an exhaustive answer to your question, but I thought I'd post it neverthless:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/phys-ed-does-exercise-boost-immunity/

From the studies cited, it sounds like "casual" regular exercise generally boosts your immunity, while extended, intense exercise actually lowers it, at least temporarily.

That said, there's far more to health that our suspectibility to colds and the flu, as serious as they can sometimes be. My mental health, for one, depends on regular exercise. And let's not even talk about my heart. I also firmly believe that if I have any hope of remaining vital and active as I age, I have to exercise now.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Thanks for the advice and info. One thing I've pinpointed is that although my diet in the last 3 months have gotten better with more whole foods added in and drinking one or two protein shakes a day (I'm trying to gain more weight), my anxiety levels from other things have spiked.

Its definitely tricky to manage because I can keep my anxiety in check as long as I train according to schedule which gives me more or less a structure to my day. But if I have to go off training for some reason, the lack of structure makes me really anxious, I can't manage it, it affects my ability to sleep or eat drastically which in turns keeps me off training for even longer and increases the anxiety some more. Its a big pain because of all the things I've tried to add some structure to my days and reduce anxiety, training is the only one which is really effective.

I've got a doctor's appointment slated in for sometime next week but that's making my anxiety levels spike through the roof as well. There's a part of me that's rolling its eyes at the amount of anxiety I have in my life...

[Crankin]

I've been through something similar. PM me if you want; but you might want to try some yoga on your "off" days. That will give you structure, calm you down, and certainly help balance out the cycling muscles. I'm a therapist in training and yoga is prescribed for anxiety just about as often as other things.

[indysteel]

Thanks for the advice and info. One thing I've pinpointed is that although my diet in the last 3 months have gotten better with more whole foods added in and drinking one or two protein shakes a day (I'm trying to gain more weight), my anxiety levels from other things have spiked.

Its definitely tricky to manage because I can keep my anxiety in check as long as I train according to schedule which gives me more or less a structure to my day. But if I have to go off training for some reason, the lack of structure makes me really anxious, I can't manage it, it affects my ability to sleep or eat drastically which in turns keeps me off training for even longer and increases the anxiety some more. Its a big pain because of all the things I've tried to add some structure to my days and reduce anxiety, training is the only one which is really effective.

I've got a doctor's appointment slated in for sometime next week but that's making my anxiety levels spike through the roof as well. There's a part of me that's rolling its eyes at the amount of anxiety I have in my life...

Hmmmm. At the risk of reading too much into what you've shared, it sounds like you have a lot going on--with my your mind and body. You mentioned therapy in another thread, so I'm assuming that you're working on some stuff. The best I can say is to keep at it. I would also second the yoga suggestion. No matter how wacky my schedule gets, I try to go to at least one yoga class because I know it'll be more restorative than just about anything else I could do.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Well, I've been working on a load of issues for years. This year was sort of a breakthrough for me in a way, making my way towards becoming less anxious and stuff like it. Kicking off my training and starting to race was part of the plan to help me learn some coping skills and just blow off steam. Yoga sounds good. I've always loved the beach and riding the roads early in the morning because there's a very calming effect to it.

[Lesley_x]

This is by no means intended to serve as an exhaustive answer to your question, but I thought I'd post it neverthless:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/phys-ed-does-exercise-boost-immunity/

From the studies cited, it sounds like "casual" regular exercise generally boosts your immunity, while extended, intense exercise actually lowers it, at least temporarily.

That said, there's far more to health that our suspectibility to colds and the flu, as serious as they can sometimes be. My mental health, for one, depends on regular exercise. And let's not even talk about my heart. I also firmly believe that if I have any hope of remaining vital and active as I age, I have to exercise now.

Thanks for posting that, it was really interesting. And I agree, it wouldn't stop me cycling as the other longer term health benefits outweigh getting the sniffles a little more!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Alexis the tiny-
I pick up on repeated references to weight and eating... someone you know suggesting you gain weight, certain days that you say you 'can't eat at all', dizziness, fatigue, and your saying that you are trying to gain weight.
Pushing one's body to 'train' and exercise more and more while not giving it enough nourishing food and calories to build muscle and maintain good health can result in serious illness that will also show effects including dizziness, 'incredible tiredness', sleep problems, getting frequent colds and flus, etc.
I hope you are smart enough to try to get further professional help for these issues and help in managing your anxiety levels. Good luck to you on your quest for wellbeing, young woman. :)

[PamNY]

I've found yoga very helpful -- and it doesn't take much. I had constant minor ailments when I was stressed by serious illness in the family. Yoga really helped. Good luck!

[alexis_the_tiny]

BleeckerSt Girl, yes, until last year, I was on the scale of being severely underweight due to a combination of genes, having been a very sick kid and some issues with control. Training is actually great for me because I can channel my energy into something more productive like making sure I'm eating well and making sure I'm gaining some weight every week or so. I have a therapist I've been working with for 3 years and I'm still seeing her. It makes alot of difference having professional help when it comes to anxiety management.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

BleeckerSt Girl, yes, until last year, I was on the scale of being severely underweight due to a combination of genes, having been a very sick kid and some issues with control. Training is actually great for me because I can channel my energy into something more productive like making sure I'm eating well and making sure I'm gaining some weight every week or so. I have a therapist I've been working with for 3 years and I'm still seeing her. It makes alot of difference having professional help when it comes to anxiety management.

I'm glad you are aware of the dangers and are seeking help. I hope you continue moving in a direction towards good health and caring for yourself and your body in a loving way. The body can do amazing things when it is given healthy nourishment! :)