COVID 8 days before marathon -- any chance?

It seems like it’s about 50/50 when it comes to whether or not intense exercise too soon after COVID will f*ck you up or not. Long COVID sucks. I wouldn’t risk it.

It’s possible. Might not be prudent to tax yourself that heavily after something like CoVID or Influenza. Maybe focus on your daughter. I just got over CoViD and 7 days after I was testing negative so I went back to work. 2 days later I came down with a nasty head cold. Doesn’t mean that will happen to you but your immune system is working hard right now running a hard run marathon tax it more.

(M, 18) I got hit hard by it and it took me about 6 weeks to recover. Blood clots, chest pain, all that. I recommend you stick with easy runs for the next few days and if you feel any respiratory effects, just sign up for a different marathon in a month or so

By the way, if you start feeling any shortness of breath, do NOT try to exercise through it. I made that mistake thinking I was just really out of shape a few weeks after getting COVID. Biggest mistake of my life.

The marathon puts a lot of stress temporarily on your immune system. An old study found 12% (1 in 8) healthy marathoners came down with an upper respiratory infection after a marathon. I'm sure newer data exists so you could search for it. Since even mild covid can sometimes have long covid effects, you might want to look for a November or December marathon. Long covid can be really nasty. I wouldn't risk it for a marathon next week.

runnersworld.com

What Causes Post-Race Colds?

By Amby Burfoot

Link:www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a208...

All good points. Should add 32 male, in good health. Shooting for sub 2:30.

Does all this risk still stand even with very little to no symptoms?

Your risk might be lower but there’s still plenty of young, fit athletes getting long COVID: Lionel Messi, Kate Grace, Khamzat Chimaev, Matt Fitzgerald, Drew Hunter, etc.

Just to add: I don’t think Long COVID cares about how fit you are. I know plenty of people who don’t exercise regularly who got COVID and ended up fine. Don’t think there’s any rhyme or reason as to who gets Long COVID and who doesn’t.

I would try to run a November marathon instead. Even ignoring the long covid issue, the odds of running a marathon at peak level while your body is fighting a viral infection are really low.

You’re done for Oct 16th.

Set your sights on another marathon.

What? Didn’t you get the vaccine and the appropriate number of boosters? You must be some kind of anti-science nut. For shame, for shame.

I think Kilian ran a mountain race with a out that much recovery but you'll need to see how you feel that morning

Try to get some bussy

I'm tempted to tell you to go for it, if only for the sake of science! I'd be very interested to see how you fare.

There is a risk you might bomb fairly early, even if you feel 100% normal at the start. The marathon will test your body in ways that you simply cannot simulate in the upcoming days before the event. The time is just too short.

If this is a race that requires travel and all of the expenses that entails, that may factor into your decision. Otherwise, what do you have to lose by running the first half and seeing how you feel? If you need to bail, then bail and run another marathon in a month.

Friend had Covid ~3 weeks before a marathon. Tested negative two weeks before. He made it about 20 miles before he started coughing so hard he threw up and dropped. Spent about 6-8 weeks recovering before he felt normalish again

I guess everyone is different. I did have a female athlete that got covid 9 days before 10k but she was still able to run 32:17 for the win. Good luck!

Besides looking at it selfishly, unless you’re testing negative for 48 hours before the race, please stay home to avoid spreading it.