Training & Nutrition - Sick. Now what?

I was coughing phelgm with blood in the morning on last thursday morning. Went to the doctor, had a bad throat infection, thus a blood vessel burst. That explains the blood. So I finished my course of medicine and antibiotics. Today, things weren't as good as I went to do some light running yesterday. I felt sick... down and out.. I went to see the doctor. Now I have a sinustitis. I have to take a strong antibiotic called Augmentin. So I am taking it for 5 days, then I'll do a follow-up and check with the doctor. The things is he explained that it is not serious enough to upset my health if I do go for the race this Saturday. However, I will not be at top form whatsoever, obviously. The thing is I do not know whether to go for the race. It's this Saturday. What do you guys think??

Anyway, another question. Now that I'm sick, does it cause a rise in HR? I did notice that, and a rise in HR in submaximal activities I was doing yesterday.

I wouldn't do the race. What's the point of doing it if you're not in good form? Take the time off to let the body heal.

When you had a rise in HR, was it harder to do that activity?

Koffee

Yeah, it was harder to do it. I only ran 800m before I stopped.. I was too tired to do anything more.

Any infection, especially with a temp, can cause a rise in heart rate.

Personally, I would take it easy and give my body a full rest util I was well. Your doc may not even know how demanding on your body a bike race might be.

Don't do the race, I mean is it really worth possibly making yourself worse? Just plan your recovery and don't stress about being ill.

Actually it is a x-country race, one that does not involve the bike, only running. I think running is much worst since to cover the distance at the fastest speed possibly, you'll be around 90% of your max. That was where I was at for the entire race, about 93%. This time, I won't be going for the race. Thanks for the replies.

However, I still have questions. Why does your HR rise when you have an infection?? What is the logic behind it??

Actually it is a x-country race, one that does not involve the bike, only running. I think running is much worst since to cover the distance at the fastest speed possibly, you'll be around 90% of your max. That was where I was at for the entire race, about 93%. This time, I won't be going for the race. Thanks for the replies.

However, I still have questions. Why does your HR rise when you have an infection?? What is the logic behind it??

From Google:


http://www.jeffdevlin.com/articles/heart.html

ILLNESS -Like overtraining, illness will cause a rise in resting heart rate and lower maximum and threshold heart rates. However, heart rates will typically be higher than normal at any given pace or perceived effort. Your body is working overtime trying to fight off infection or a cold.

There are many more articles on the subject. Just do a search.

if you have an infection, it usually means at least a mild to moderate fever as well. this can lead to some unbalanced water stores (having your body to cool the overheated engine)
you body sees an infection as something foreign to it, so it mobilizes its might (white blood cells) to fight the foreign invader. this takes energy.

a sinus infection can be tricky. personally, i think a 5 day course of augmentin is too short. i like having 10 day minimum therapy, even 14 days in some cases. why? when you brake your leg, you are told to stay off it to give it a chance to heal itself. but with a sinus infection, you still have to breath and expose the tissues to allergens, etc.
that is why i advocate NEVER blowing your nose. EVER!! blowing your nose forces a great deal of baceteria deeper into the sinus cavity, thus increasing your chances of an infection. there are some great nasal lavages on the market that are gaining in popularity.
sinus infections can also cause middle ear disturbances, thus effecting your equilibrium (the ear, nose and throat are all connected)

i know i wandered off the subject a bit here, but the bottom line is: never train when a fever is present. just fighting off an infection is tough enough without stressing your body more.

**stress hormones are released in response to...well, stress. and an infection is stressful physically. stress hormones causes release of epinephrine and norepinephrine which causes an increase in heart rate.

p.s. you might want to eat some yogurt with each dose of augmentin so your digestive floura doesn't get fouled up.