When to ride when your sick?

So I was on this great role, riding like 30-60 miles a day, 6 days a week. It was great. Then I got sick, first with a fever, now it turned into a cold. I have been weak and out of commission for a weeks time now. Last time I got sick, a few months ago, I was in such a training streak that I rode right though it, and the snot just flew out of my nose. I was better in a week. Didn't really rest much. This time I decided to take a rest, and really let myself rest and recover. I still feel pretty weak though after a week and I am loosing muscle I think. Or at least not getting any stronger not riding a whole week. When do you just push through it and force your body to ride and when do you let your body keep resting?? How do people who are training for racing season deal with this cause you just cant stop training for a whole week? Or do you? Any advice would be great. Thanks.

It really does depend on how I feel. However, in my experience, exercising while sick tends to make it worse. Your muscles have the capacity to "remember" where they were before you got sick. Take it easy if you don't feel good. The important thing is to take care of you first.

You're not going to lose any fitness in a week. And rest is when we get stronger. Plus a fever signals something more than a cold...sounds to me like you're dealing with flu, which requires rest, especially if it's in your lungs. Push too hard and you risk developing bronchitis and/or pneumonia.

Most people will say that it takes 2 weeks or more of doing nothing before a person will lose noticeable fitness...and even then it's not a loss that can't be recovered fast.

+1

I've been battling a cold here too. My lungs reduced composity from the upper respiratory bug I've got is making it difficult to function at work and have the energy to make I through the day, so even a quick jaunt around the 'hood is farthest from my mind at the moment, even tho the sun is beckoning and I'd love to be outside instead.

Take care of yourself and get well.

Shannon

I got a nasty bug a few weeks ago. It started with a slight sore throat, so I rode to work (4.5 miles) and felt really bad, so I rode home. I took off 5 days and did just fine but I sure didn't feel like riding while i was sick.

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

I got a nasty bug a few weeks ago. It started with a slight sore throat, so I rode to work (4.5 miles) and felt really bad, so I rode home. I took off 5 days and did just fine but I sure didn't feel like riding while i was sick.

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I think this is the bug I've been recovering from. Actually, it hasn't been so bad...started with a sore throat and had me totally down for only about 2 days. I'm still coughing and snorking, but it's also peak pollen time, so that's definitely a factor.

Days off when sick generally means faster recovery. Faster recovery means LESS time off, in the end.

For me, if it's below the neck I don't even think about working out. If it's above then I just go by how I feel. If I'm feeling weak or have a fever, then I definitely just rest.

Being sick is a drag. I hope you feel better soon.