I think the title says it all. Running hills with a cold is truly a BAD idea.
I gave it a good shot on Wednesday morning. I’ve been fighting a cold for the past four days and I was pretty tired of the whole thing, so I went out for a run. Wednesdays have become my unofficial “high mileage” days, mostly just because it works into my schedule like that. This Wednesday however, I was thrilled to get a weensy 6 miles under my belt.
I started the run thinking that I would do a 7-8 mile loop, but once I reached the half-way point of the “long hill” in Louisville, I actually stopped and reassessed my situation. There were 5 tissues in my pocket (I can’t do the farmer’s blow to save my life, it’s disgusting to watch me try) and I had already used two of them. My heart was beating way too hard and a sinus headache was knocking at the door. I decided to be smart about my running and heretofore, stick to the flats and whatever downhill I came to on the circuitous route home.
I was 2.2 miles in when I realized I couldn’t do the hills. I do this route at least once a week; it’s a long 3 miler that has a very gradual incline for the first 2 miles, then a much more steady incline for the last mile. Usually I’m barely breathing hard; yesterday I had to stop. It wasn’t that my head was so packed full of snot. Actually, it was because I was starting to get light-headed and my heart was racing too fast. This was the not-so-subtle cue that I was indeed sick and yes, I needed to back off the pace.
So the lesson here is: if you REALLY need to run when you’re sick, try to keep it on the flats. You don’t need to be doing huge hill work to prove what a brute you are. The fact that you’re getting your heart rate up is good enough. Save the hill work for when you’re healthy.
You poor thing! I understand as my 6 week “cold” was a sinus infection but I didn’t know it and raced and ran through it. I was able to run through mine because I was heavily congested (not runny nose), no fever, and it had not spread to my lungs. Yes, take it easy, because you don’t want to end up dealing with a sinus infection!!!
Feel better soon!
Thanks Libby! I’m feeling better now, and am starting to get “cabin fever” from the lack of exercise. Maybe one more day to clear it out of my system before the much-anticipated Saturday Morning Run. As for you, I can’t believe you RACED through that goo. You’re strong!
Agreed!
Agreed!
Agreed!
Lara – so sorry to hear you are still fighting this cold of yours! I heard a tip that if your cold is below your neck, good to go for running, above – stay home.
I’ve been fortunate not to have to train through any illnesses ramping up for races, but it really is a drag to not be able to do what we love to do when you don’t feel well.
Hope you get well soon Lara! Hang in there!
Joe
Wait, I thought it was the other way around? If it’s above the neck (sinuses, etc) go running, if it’s below the neck (lungs, bronchitis, stomachache) stay home?
Actually, this is second incarnation of this bug. It was gone, I was fine, now it’s back. I think it’s on it’s way out again, finger’s crossed!