Just wondering what you serious Masters/Fitness types do when you're a bit under the weather.
If you get a cold but no fever do you still go swim for a workout?
Are you better off just staying in bed or going for a walk?
Seems like a strenuous workout like swimming might actually be harmful.
Any thoughts?
As long as I'm not feverish I'll do at least a warm-up a light set and a cool down...I find that this usually helps loosen up my chest and gets some endorphins going. I'll also get a little time in the steam room as well. But I will take a day or two off but only if I'm too sick to go to work anyways.
I will generally swim as well, opting for less intensive sets (drills, easy kicks) at a reduced yardage. I tend to feel a little better after an easy swim.
I still swim my planned workout, just not so focused on making intervals. I allow myself longer rests between sets and more water breaks. This usually gets the aches out of the muscles and makes me feel a little better.
Unless I have a fever, I go and swim what the coach tells me. I may not be as fast, but I'm moving. With a fever, though, I stay home since I don't want to pass on what I have to others. A cold they can deal with but something worse might be bad during meet season.
It's weird, but when I force myself to swim my illnesses tend to abate before they really get momentum. I think for a lot of these common viruses the mind is as important as anything else. If you get into the "I am debilitated" mental mode, the body seems to follow. But if you still try to do something exercise related (even toned down), then get proper rest, you just might find the illness kept at bay. Whether it is a placebo effect or not, who cares? It helps my swimming more than Echinacea.
Now an important disclaimer. There are illnesses and there are ILLNESSES. I'm talking about your typical viral illness with nasal symptoms, maybe a little body ache (that's a constant any time I get sick), mild sore throat. If you have pneumonia or a more serious bacterial illness I would not advise pushing it for your own sake (not just because of contagiousness).
As a general rule, I have read in many reliable publications that its safe to exercise when the ailment stays above the neck. Once its settled in the chest, though, you can make matters worse by doing intense cardiovascular work.
