Riding while sick?

[SheFly]

I am sick. I have a pretty bad cold that started last week, and kept me home from work a day and a half (Weds and Friday).

Weds - no ride
Thurs - no ride
Fri - 27 miles on SS MTB
Sat - 62 mile road ride
Sun - 11.5 miles on geared MTB
Mon - no ride
Tues - commute to/from work (30 miles total)
Weds - no ride
Thurs - 12 miles on geared MTB

Today - I feel like cr*p! Yes, I am stubborn and shouldn't be riding. But, the congestion actually clears WHILE riding - it's later that I end up feeling worse. Stinks too - beautiful day here and I was planning another commute.

Oh - I've also ridden REALLY HARD the day before being diagnosed with walking pneumonia... I'm not that smart

SheFly

[Crankin]

Hope you feel better, Cathy. I, have had the same experience many times. I feel better while riding, but I pay for it dearly, later. I have learned my lesson, after enough times of getting a sinus infection, bronchitis, etc. from what started as allergies.
I have been fighting the pollen for a week; usually pollen isn't an issue for me, but I had to start taking Claritin in addition to Flonase this week. Wednesday night, I started getting a headache in class and felt really awful by the time I got home. I had gone for a run in the AM, which was dumb. Yesterday, I felt like that same truck had rolled over me, and it took me awhile to get out the door. I wanted to ride, or at least go out for a walk, but thankfully, it rained, so I rested. I am better today, heading out for a group ride. I'd like to go with the "spirited" group, but I know that would push me right back over the edge. I will be happy to do my 30 miles with the slowpokes, because I still am not right.

[soprano]

I ride for most of my transportation and non riding means taking the bus, which isn't any less taxing, especially in bad weather; the bus stops I use are both totally exposed. So, if I'm well enough to go in, I usually consider myself well enough to ride there. It helps that my Surly is very easy to ride and get up the hills; if I'm feeling unwell, I just lay off and take my time. When I had a hybrid I took the bus a lot more often.

I've been getting regular exercise for long enough that, when I get sick and have to stop, I think that I feel just as bad from the lack of exercise as I do from the illness. I may not do as much - certainly not any long group rides - but if I can make it out the door, I still go out.

[Grits]

It would never even occur to me to ride while I'm sick, and I will define "sick" in really high tech medical terms as "feeling bad." I'm home sick right now, and the last thing I want to do is exert myself in any way. I'm on the couch with a book, laptop, and roku so I can watch some Netflix (Eat, Pray, Love this morning. Mostly boring, but part about forgiving yourself really hit home).

I guess it depends on degree of sickness, but it is hard enough to ride (since I don't live in a flat area) when I'm well. I don't need to be making it harder. I will ride when I am feeling well again.

I also know that I am very fortunate that my sickness is temporary and with some medication and time will get better. For those with chronic conditions who don't have the luxury of knowing you will be completely well in a few days, I salute you for having the inner fortitude to get out there even when you do not feel well and are in pain, and I sincerely hope that the exercise does all the good things for you that we hear it does!

[amb]

I was feeling a little under the weather yesterday but it was awesome out - 70 deg, sunny, low winds. I did a 30 mi ride with my co-workers and today I am regretting it. I feel worse. I think all the wind on my throat and sinus' was not helpful. It could be just coincidence too but I might think twice next time I feel a cold coming on. It was a great ride but I wish I could be home in bed now.

[westtexas]

Well I went to the doctor today and he thinks I have mono. So that's kind of uncool, but hopefully I will be better in a few days and prove him wrong. In the meantime, I've been waaaaay to sick to even make food for myself, let alone get on a bike. I had to excuse myself from surgery today because I thought I was going to puke into the surgical site.

Just hoping I'm better by graduation on Thursday.

[emily_in_nc]

Oh gosh, westtexas, do take good care of yourself. Mono can take a long time to recover from. The bike will be there when you're ready, but be gentle with yourself until then. So sorry!

[ClockworkOrange]

Just about to post when I noticed you had posted saying you had mono?

Didn't have a clue so I had to Google it, mononucleosis, think you must take very good care of yourself.

I have learnt over the years riding if unwell, is not a good idea, for starters my concentration is zilch.

So understand how frustrating it is, I'd generally go out for a walk, that way I can go at the pace that is not going to make me worse.

Get well soon westtexas.