Yesterday I posted my race re-cap of the Burn Off the Turkey 5k, glowing about how great it feels to get out there and run, despite cold weather, or illness, or that GIANT hill in the middle of mile 2 that makes runners want to slow down or quit.
True, yes… BUT… I probably shouldn’t have run since I had sinus pain and a cough.
I went to the doctor’s office, and evidently my lungs were “squeaking”. (This isn’t good. Probably not even for mice.) I ended up on a nebulizer to see if that would help, and when it didn’t improve things, he sent me home with a prescription for antibiotics, an inhaler, and orders to not to run for AT LEAST FIVE DAYS. This recommendation came after he and I spent five minutes talking about running, and he showed me photos of himself finishing a 5k in less than 21 minutes at the age of 56. So he’s awesome, and he loves running, and I should probably listen if he’s telling me not to run.
Whoops.
I do sort of, kind of remember reading that it’s ok to run with a cold as long as it’s above the neck, but for chest colds it’s important to take time off and rest…. but after being sick for ten days, you get sick of being sick, and you start to pretend you’re not and hope your body will get the hint.
Here’s the article from Runner’s World I remember reading about whether or not to run while you’re sick – it’s probably smart to read what it says and when in doubt, play it safe! The goal is to run as much as possible, and recovering will net you more running than pretending you’re not sick.
I’m thankful for antibiotics, good health care, a husband who sacrificed his lunch break so I could go to the doctors without my kids, and for the confidence that I’ll feel better soon.
Hope you have a healthy winter, run smart!
Its hard because we want to be “tough” and run through things. But I have found sticking to the above the neck rule is really important. I have had some nasty chest congestion turn into way more because I ran and made it worse. Kind of like injuries, nip it in the butt before it becomes a bigger issue. Glad you are okay and don’t worry we have ALL done that! 🙂 I’m pretty sure I ran a few weeks ago during a chest cold that I shouldn’t have, one day we will learn!
You’re so right… and I suspect every runner messes up now and again, because it’s hard to feel your worst and not be able to do one of the things that always helps you feel your best!