Training & Nutrition - Training when on verge of illness

What do you do when you are on the verge or maybe slightly ill. Say a little achy and tired with not much energy. Do you take a few days rest so as not to get sick? I've taken off two but feel a little guilty. I just don't want to get a full blown flu or cold. Do you just ride really slow?

I have learned the hard way............listen to your body. Rest when the body is sick.

Hope you are feeling better.
Cheers.

I ride when I am sick. If it is the flu - comes on fast, high fever and so on, I don't ride. But I will ride through colds. Oddly enough, I have had many nasty colds and felt just terrible. But I get out on the bike and feel pretty good once I get going and then feel terrible again when I stop. There is something about exercise that seems to relieve the congestion I get with colds.

However, you need to back off when you don't feel well. So no hammering or intervals or time trials.

I've learned that it's best to rest when I feel tired, achy, or sick. I've tried to ride through these episodes and have paid the price by not having the energy to ride for the next two to three weeks.

I've learned that it's best to rest when I feel tired, achy, or sick. I've tried to ride through these episodes and have paid the price by not having the energy to ride for the next two to three weeks.

Well, it all comes to listening to your body doesn't it? In this case, Chongo is doing the right thing in not riding when achy. With me, I do just fine. Of course, I just dial back the effort and I warm up slowly and let the body do what it can. I do not really push things. But I have never had a bad experience from doing this. Of course, if I feel achy and nauseous and have had hot and cold periods (indicative of fever) and get up and the room spins, well then I don't get on the bike. But I do fine with ordinary and even nasty, nasty colds. But everyone is different so it is important to do what works for you.

I took 3 days off and then rode slowly last night. I road in the mid 13 mph range and my heart rate was where it is when I am an upper 15mph. I'm going to take it easy for the next 3 or 4 rides keeping it where my heart rate was last night, mid 140's.

I've always heard the if the cold is only in the head - stuffy nose, sore throat - then it's okay to exercise - in moderation. If it's a chest cold or you're running a fever, stay home. In either case, exercising does lower your defenses, so go easy.