I am really itching to get into the pool today as I usually spend 2 days a week doing drylands only and yesterday was one of them (and I had planned turkey day to be the other since I need to do a bit of traveling). However, I have a really terrible sore throat and some congestion. So much so, that I stayed home from work so people wouldn't be yelling at me to go home all day, and it being a slow work week I knew I could get away with it. Although, I feel like I could get a small workout in, or at least try and see how it feels.
I'm not sure wether to go with the theory that my body needs a break, or the theory that if you're not glued to the bed, you should go work out.
I am at a critical time right now where after years of being out of swimming I am ALMOST built up to what I consider for myself to be respectable amounts of working out per week and making certain times in practice. Little setbacks like this end up being pretty big because I usually can only swim between 30 and 45 minutes 5 days a week. Considering the life of a 26 year old in her first few professional years also in a degree program with a new niece and nephew 2 hours away, being able to get that amount of time in the pool I think is a major accomplishment. Just not quite enough time to re-build that feel for the water very well or very quickly.
I might compromise and just do some more (but light) drylands today instead.
So, I am wondering what people do when they aren't sick enough to stay in bed all day but still sick. Are there any studies out there, or is it really just an individual gut feeling on what you should do?
Thanks!
Former Member
You should listen to your body. You know if you're a bit sniffly or really sick.
My idea has been if your chest is clear for breathing then exercise (maybe ease up 25-30% of distance or effort)...if you have chest congestion then resting until it clears is a good idea.
I've got the sniffles today. I will be swimming, then going into the sauna for a "re-heat" after the pool then a long warm shower. Followed by a glass of port or 4 when I get home ;)
This is of course provided the under 10 year old hooligans aren't towel flicking etc and generally giving me a headache--why do swimming changing rooms have to amplify?? Pavarotti would kill to sing in ours!
Rich
typically, unless i am glued to my bed, sick as a dog, i try and get in at least a short workout. but i definitely take it easy. i'd rather get in, maintain at least a little feel for the water, and maybe even hack up some of the nasty junk in my head/lungs ;)
but you *have* to take it easy. i usually swim 4500-5000 yards in a practice, but if i'm sick, i will drop down to around 2000-2500. and usually just a lot of long slow stuff, focusing on good strokes.
if you can't drag yourself to the pool, don't consider this a set back, just a break that your body would eventually need anyways. just an example from my past- in 2005, i got a really nasty case of the flu (as in i was in bed for 3 days straight, thankfully my little brother went to college in the same town i was living in at the time!) so i was out of the water for 5 straight days, and during a training period i considered very critical for success at USMS nationals that spring. i was a little bent out of shape over being out of the water for that long, but it was okay in the end, cause not only did i have 4 masters PBs at nationals, i also won 2 of my events...
just my :2cents:
If I am sick, I don't swim. But, when I am starting the recovery from being sick, I do swim. Moving the body is beneficial to a body that has been sick.
As long as I have no fever, no aches and pains associated with illness, then I swim a 'little bit." But I would think a sore throat may not be a good indication to swim; because you are still sick. It is sore for a reason; your body is not quite right.
Donna
I have heard the rule if your symptoms are above your neck a light work-out is OK. If you have a cough, feel achy sick,have GI symptoms etc. don't work-out.It's better to miss a couple of days than to over do and need a couple of weeks or more to recover.
No pain no gain. But don't overexert yourself and make yourself worse. My sickly MO is to work out with slightly lighter intensity. I feel like training when I am sick helps build confidence, endurance and immunity to pain. But thats just me.
For a very long time, I swam and ran even if I was wheezing during an asthma attack. I had constant nasal infections and my colitiis would flare up. I woudl still swim. Now, if I have a cold I've realized that it will very likely get worse if I swim. It is really weird that I never thought it was inappropriate to have a peak flow in the lower 300 (usually in the upper 600s) and go swim. Also I wondder how many of my colds and chest infections I got from some one who didn't have enough sense to stay home?
When I am sick I go and at least try. I usually just swim the free or other strokes nice and easy. If I don't feel I can then I just get out. I notice since I started swimming when I start getting a cold come on after I swim it disappears. I was feeling like this last saturday at the meet. I just ate cough drops and swam anyways. The next day I felt great. Now I feel like I am still getting a cold but going to practice. In fact I better get ready I have to leave at 4:50... I hope you feel better real quick!:anim_coffee:
As a Family Nurse Practitioner, I would tell you that if you have a fever stay home.
As a swimmer, I would tell you that when I have a lot of congestion, chest or nasal, swimming seems to help loosen it, improves my outlook (which is usually crappy when I'm sick) and makes me feel better. But I try not to share a lane, in fear that I may breathe my germs on a friend. Also, I agree with everyone who has posted previously about taking it easy & not trying to go crazy fast and long distances. (GI bugs that are uncontrollable should be a no-brainer, stay away from the pool.)
I swim through almost everything.
Hi Michelle,
I think since you have the tickle in your throat, you should not swim. That tickle typically leads to fever/chills when ignored. However, I feel typical "light" colds(without the tickled throat) tend to be combatted better with light, light exercise.
Jen
