So I was travelling last week in Denmark with my wife. It was just a little pre winter break before the holiday period to celebrate her birthday. I of course did not bring the running shoes with me as it is generally impractical for a short city break as a couple. Some nice days were spent touring the city, tasting their beer and wine. On the Monday morning I awoke with a bad sore throat just before our journey home.
I was quite infuriated because my running routine was now broken. I was asking myself should I just go out for a run, “it will probably make me feel better , right?” WRONG! . No it doesn’t make you feel better and you should take the time to take the rest. Your body will thank you for it later, and running will only hamper your recovery process.
The key is to listen to your body. If it is only mild symptoms running could be possible, but as was the case for me on a previous occasion, it actually made my mild symptoms more severe.
If you have the worst of the cold over and done with, and are still experiencing mild-ish symptoms, then a light jog wont do you any harm. Keep it light though, no sprinting, and even try a running slash walking routine. I brought my dog along with me. Whilst he stopped, it gave me a minute just to relax also.
The next run I went for a consistent slow paced 5k. I still had a slight sniffle, but no sore chest or throat.
After a week, my symptoms were as good as gone. I treated my runs like a recovery run and my first real run was today. I kept it to a mild pace 7k. I think sweating the remaining symptoms that were lagging was just those lethargic toxins leaving my body for the final time.
Im looking forward to getting out there again tomorrow. Treat the runs like you would after an injury, until you have done three consecutive runs.
Hope this is useful .