[sp00kme]

Hi all, I'm just wondering on thoughts on riding volume when you get a chest cold. I was deep into my base training and just feeling nice and fit when I get hit with a wicked cold for a week. I take 3 days off no riding then I can't stand it any longer so I jump on the indoor trainer for an hour, felt good during the session but shite afterwards and the next day. cold moves to chest. another 2 days no rides. start feeling better, so another trainer session and feeling ok, then 1 1.5 hour mtb ride the next day. I'm still feeling not 100% but I want to keep training as I have a race in mid Sept.

what is the general concensus on riding when you get a cold....i mean a cold that puts you off work for a day or 2. I know intensity should be low, couldnt really manage much else, but is volume ok ??

cheers for any advice
B

 

[Trevor!]

I too have a race in September and know what it is like to be ill or unable to train in suitable conditions.

The thing with training with the flu and also possibly in cool conditions (You're in base so I assume long road miles too in cold weather) is that it generally takes you longer to recover and longer to get over the sickness as you body needs all the energy it can to repair itself. I really thing the best thing to do is take a few days off, perhaps doing an 1hr a day on the trainer at E1/Rec till you get over the flu and then get back into training.

There is no point running yourself into the ground while your sick and then taking longer than normal to recover and then not being in the shape you want to be in for the race.

I am personally trying to be careful, the weather is cold and wet where I am, so training can be risky particularly when the common cold is easy to catch and harder to get over.

 

[witcomb]

Neck rule

Don't think you've heard of this. Friel has mentioned it in one of his books. The Neck Rule is, ride if the illness is above the neck (ie. head cold) and rest if it is below the neck. I usually prefer to rest when I'm sick as it is probably because of too much training. I feel great after a couple days.

 

[moab63]

In my case, I usually will rest a few days drink juice

Hi all, I'm just wondering on thoughts on riding volume when you get a chest cold. I was deep into my base training and just feeling nice and fit when I get hit with a wicked cold for a week. I take 3 days off no riding then I can't stand it any longer so I jump on the indoor trainer for an hour, felt good during the session but shite afterwards and the next day. cold moves to chest. another 2 days no rides. start feeling better, so another trainer session and feeling ok, then 1 1.5 hour mtb ride the next day. I'm still feeling not 100% but I want to keep training as I have a race in mid Sept.

what is the general concensus on riding when you get a cold....i mean a cold that puts you off work for a day or 2. I know intensity should be low, couldnt really manage much else, but is volume ok ??

cheers for any advice
B

aspirins, cold medicine and soup. I can not deal with colds, they will linger for a couple of weeks if I dont take measures. So I think a few days rest wont harm you in any way, might do more good than harm.