I have not been on a run since last Wednesday.  Instead, I’ve been coughing, blowing my nose and trying to breathe.  It’s a common occurance for me this time of year, the dreaded cold.  Usually knocks me out for a week or so.  But this year, since I’ve been doing more training and running, I feel like a total flake for skipping workouts.  Yesterday I tried to walk, made it a mile and then needed a nap.  I know there are some suggestions for working out in the midst of a cold, but I’m not sure what exactly they are, so I went to my trusty friend Google.

One article I read said that if your symptoms were all above the neck, it was ok to go ahead and exercise, but if you had a fever or symtoms below the neck – just stay on the couch.  It went on to say that even if you just have a head cold, be careful.  It didn’t take much for the cold to turn in to something more serious such as a sinus or bronchial infection.  And exercising with a sinus infection could lead to pneumonia or (in rare cases) respiratory failure. 

After further research, it seems that the advice given above is common to most exercising/health websites.  The final word on the subject seems to be that you should listen to your body.  If you just don’t feel up to it, don’t try.  All you will do is possible exacerbate the illness or at least prolong recovery.  With that said, I think I’ll head back to bed!