I have head cold and a sore throat for the last few days. I have run two easy runs and felt ok. I was planning on racing an indoor meet tonight, but I don't know if I should. I just don't want to start the race, feel like crap then run like crap, especially with that dry indoor air. Has anyone else raced like this?
I raced a 5k outdoors last year with sinus congestion and a sore throat. I felt weird for about the first half mile, but then didn't even notice it. After the race, I felt WAY better than I had before the race, and interestingly I made a full recovery from my sickness by the next day. I ran my second fastest time of the season that day, and now believe that a little strenuous activity when I have a head cold (not necessarily as strenuous as a race though) is actually beneficial for recovery.
Yessir, I have. I raced an indoor mile in college when I had a cold and sore throat. For me, it was a bad idea. After the race my illness immediately became much worse and I ended up with a pretty bad sinus infection. The air in that building was also terrible. The intense respiratory activity inflamed my sinuses and throat, and it SUCKED.
That said, you should also know that this was my first mile race. I had been a 400m guy and was moving up to middle distance, so I was inexperienced. I tried to go out with the leaders, blew up half way, and then just gave everything I had not to finish last. It was a bad race regardless of the sickness. The race was also at altitude, which may have been another factor in my disasterous performance.
So, if you're in shape you might be fine. I was not in shape for the race I was in. If you feel like you are fighting harder than usual to keep the pace, I would consider backing off. You could make yourself sicker.
I think I will make sure that I don't have an elevated temperature. If I don't, I think will still race.
You have no idea how much strength is taken out of your body when you are sick. If you race while you are sick, you might feel fine, but your time is probably going to be under your expectations.
That's my experience anyway. I felt okay during the race, but I ran much slower than I thought that I would. Having a flu or cold takes a lot out of your body...
Some of my best races have been when I have colds. I think if you let it get you down thet it will affect your race. If your like "My throat I can't run fast" in a whimpy voice then you wont. But if your tough like me and don't give a rats ass, your gonna rock it! Good Luck tonight! If your achey and sore like the flu then your screwed. Good luck again, peace out.
Some of my best races have been when I have colds. I think if you let it get you down thet it will affect your race. If your like "My throat I can't run fast" in a whimpy voice then you wont. But if your tough like me and don't give a rats ass, your gonna rock it! Good Luck tonight! If your achey and sore like the flu then your screwed. Good luck again, peace out.
I had a sinus infection and ran the mile in New York this past weekend. It was the worst idea ever. From the gun I felt very weak and ended up running like shit. Afterwards the infection has become worse than ever. My advice is run but don't race.