Should I ride with a cold?

[firenze11]

I had the same experience as Elk. I always thought it was good to exercise with a cold, and I was told to do it at 75% of my normal workout. But I got a regular old cold one year and was not about to let it stop my workouts. Needless to say I ended up with a cold for about a month, I felt awful until I stopped to let my body recover. That might just be how my body works, though. So I recommend going for a ride while you have the weather but taking it easy to see how you feel.

I hope you feel better soon.

[OakLeaf]

I'm a total wuss about it myself.

Years ago I got myself into trouble because I wouldn't stop riding despite a sinus infection. It wound up lasting for 11 weeks, I was miserably sick the whole time (although it never did go into bronchitis the way they usually do with me), and I finally had to take a whole week off work - not just riding - so i could recover.

Exercise does depress the immune system. I might go for a walk outside, but my rule is when I'm sick, I don't want to break a sweat. YMMV. Hope you feel better soon.

[Aggie_Ama]

Everyone has given you good advice but here is my tale of caution. Lower your intensity. I rode (granted it was a century) with what I thought was allergies in August. Ended up with a sinus infection 10x worse than I had ever had because I didn't think anything of it since it wasn't in my chest. I have heard if it is in your chest stay home, in your head go on.

The weird thing is my doctor told me even with bronchitis I can ride, just not in the cold and give myself a few days to enjoy my cough syrup first.

[ummbnb]

I had a cold earlier in the fall which I continued to run and bike through and it lasted well over a month! I had one two weeks ago and sat out...and was better by the end of the week. Both were head colds that moved into my chest. Hard to say if the exercise had anything to do with it.

[Grog]

Thanks for telling your "cold stories", it's interesting to read how others deal with winter illnesses!

I must add a caveat to what I wrote earlier: I think it applies to perfect conditions where we're well hydrated, well rested, get all the necessary sleep, etc. If your body is already stressed or taxed by lack of sleep, it sure can't beat the cold, and it's probably a good idea to err on the side of safety...

Right now I'm getting as many as 9 hours of sleep almost every night, and, now that I think about it, it's probably the reason why I haven't been sick in a long time!!

[teigyr]

The weird thing is my doctor told me even with bronchitis I can ride, just not in the cold and give myself a few days to enjoy my cough syrup first.

I love that quote!

I have/had a sinus thingie that has moved into my chest. Have had it a month. I actually exercise ok but it exhausts me beyond all belief.

So I guess take what we all say then modify it to suit yourself. I have ridden when I didn't feel well and the ride turned out far better than I could have ever imagined. I'm a firm believer in sweating stuff out but you have to make sure that your other obligations (ie work and home) allow you the rest that you need.

[Bad JuJu]

you have to make sure that your other obligations (ie work and home) allow you the rest that you need.

Yes, I think adequate rest is SO important in fighting illness.

The Chief is one to keep working through everything, so often his colds linger for weeks. And he always razzes me about taking it too easy when I feel a cold coming on, but mine are generally much shorter and gentler (if any cold can be called "gentle" that is) than his. And I usually avoid cycling when I'm fighting a cold, too. But what I want to take a rest from are the work things, not the fun things like cycling.

This morning, it's still above the neck, so I'll try a short, easy ride and report back later.

As Grog said, thanks to everyone for sharing your "cold" stories.

[elk]

Yes, I think adequate rest is SO important in fighting illness.

And he always razzes me about taking it too easy when I feel a cold coming on, .

....what is wrong with taking care of yourself ??? more evidence of the patriarchy at work...suck it up and GO TO WORK. In some societys when women are getting their periods, they take the week and go on retreat....A wise friend of mine once said that in order to have a spiritual life, you have to know how to waste time...in other words, how to just BE and not always DO.

Here's my Carrie Bradshaw question of the episode: Does being an athlete mean you can no longer listen to your body and its subtle needs, but instead always give that freakish 110%?

[teigyr]

Speaking for myself, my body lies to me. I am freakishly lazy and therefore my mind steps in. If I allowed myself to, I'd live the total life of leisure