Running a marathon after the flu

Chest congestion usually doesnt clear itself in three days, sorry to tell you that. Yes, you will be able to breath better on Sunday, but I wouldn't expect optimal performance.

See the thread about running a race while having a cold. This is even worse. Why would you race? There can't possibly be a good reason.

I will race because I have put 10 months of training into this marathon and spent the $300-400 for registration/hotel/travel, etc. already and I don't feel awful just not great. That's why.

ran Boston last year, the week after the flu...(more of a sinus infection, but had the same flu stuff, temperature, body aches, etc.)...ran OK, but couldn't find my normal rhythm, finished about 10 minutes slower than I had anticipated...don't regret doing it...

Getting sick seems to be pretty common during a tapper of a marathon. Now if it is the flu that will be harder to deal with, but if you have put in all the work why not get to the starting line and give it a try. The rush of a race will help. You might not be 100% but sounds like you are gettin over the worst of it. Go for it.Like you said, you have trained and paid for it so what is the worst thing that can happen? Maybe you feel horrible and drop out at 15 or something. Big deal, you won't be the first to do that.Give it a go, maybe start out a little slower than originally you had planned and maybe you will feel even better the second half.

sick hopefully not slow wrote:

I will race because I have put 10 months of training into this marathon and spent the $300-400 for registration/hotel/travel, etc. already and I don't feel awful just not great. That's why.

I say rest up this week and get as healthy as you can. Don't go into the marathon expecting to feel like crap and not run the time you've been aiming for. There's no point in running if you're defeated at the start line. Go out there confident and ready to run, and just see what happens.

It's a marathon, even when you are 100% prepared something could go wrong, but why linger on the bad? Maybe start off a little conservative and see how you feel. Just focus on what could go really well :) One week shouldn't define 10 months of training.

If you were able to do this and set a PR, you would be as inspiring as:

Willis Reed

Rocky

The rock climber guy who cut off his own arm

Jimmy V

Derrick Redmond

Okay, maybe not THAT inspiring, but good luck!

Tried that one this past January - had the flu, ran the marathon, found out after the marathon that in addition to the flu I had strep and bronchitis. I felt the same way as you - had done all the training, paid the money, etc. While I don't regret doing it, and it was a very small PR, it is very difficult to recover from afterwards. It's also a whole new feeling of marathon pain- but, what the heck, go for it - the body is an amazing machine!

I had a bad cold/flu leading up to the London Marathon many years ago. I was expecting to run about 2.55 which would have been a PB/PR for me. The particular day it was being run on had special meaning for me so I took the decision to run round easily and enjoy the day.

I finished in around 3.25. I had a great time waving at the crowds and enjoying the atmosphere. In the last four or five miles I was overtaking lost of people.

It had no bad effects on me. Three days later I ran a good 3km race (for me).

Good advice. Thanks.

The key with sickness is its your bodys way of telling you need to rest. Rest until you are fully recovered before you begin training again, or you will end up loosing more time in the long run.

Run Faster

www.runfaster.biz

info@runfaster.biz

Sickness on Taper was almost inevitable for me a few years back.

Now I taper longer and stay away from crowds.

Make sure that you only had the one ailment and you are over it.

Come Sunday you should be fine.

Run as you had always planned. Go out easy and Hammer it home.

Good luck.

How did the marathon go?