Sick and 2.5 weeks to go to HIM - crap!

Cut the weights out all together.  Take at least one day off and then cut dramatically back on training until you feel better.  Sleep as much as you can.  Drink as much you can.

DON'T PANIC!!!  I know its tough (same thing happened to me once) but you'll be ok.  You've already done all the work, and your body will still be ready for the HIM.  So rest up, get healthy, and good luck with the 5 hr mark!

#1- Airborne and whole foods--it's 2.5 weeks out, a normal cough shouldn't still be there, so focus on beating the cough and building your immune system at the same time.  Limit the bad foods--refined sugars, etc.  That'll help your inner system.

#2- Your body sounds ready for a taper.  Really, there isn't much improvement wise to be gained the next couple of weeks (I have my A race HIM on 5 Oct and life requires me to have about 2 days of no workouts today and tomorrow--not freaking out), more maintenance and prepping your body to peak there on gameday. 

#3- yeah, hitting the weight room when you haven't in a long time probably has contributed to the feelings you have, and focusing more on maintaining swim/bike/run over these next 2.5 weeks is more essential than hitting those weights.

I'm guessing you're probably really ready for taper, and then will be ready for racing. I feel the similiar right now, but am not doubting the training.  I felt the same way before my Feb marathon I'd trained for, and then tapered right and had a great race day. 

Hang in there, eat healthy, take some of the Airborne stuff (it works!), follow a good taper, and kill the course race day!

Not to kick you when you're down, but why on Earth would you start strength training 6 weeks out from your HIM?

That said, you'll be fine. Just cut back a little on the workouts, listen to your body, and make you're hydrated well, eating healthy, and getting plenty of rest .

Maybe increase your dark berry intake, lots of good antioxidants .

x2 on no more weights until after your race.

Take 1 - 3 days off (whatever it takes to start feeling better) and then gradually ramp your training back to what is on your plan over 2-3 days.  You won't lose fitness from the rest, but you will gain it since your body is reparing muscles and healing.  just think of it as an early taper.  You will be ready if you rest and get better now !!!

good luck going sub 5 !!!

Honestly, it probably wasn't the act of strength training that got you sick, but moreso touching all those dirty weights .

But, I mean, from a purely physical/training standpoint - that's a lot of stress to put your body through and a lot for it to adapt to...something you just should not introduce mid-season. I don't really believe in ST for triathletes, but I think most who do ST I think cut back on the weights during the season.

 x2 on the Airborne!

I know the feeling.  I came down with a head "cold" or "allergies" this week and I am on my two week taper for my Oly.  Talk about the HorriblE timing!  My doctor says it allergies and I am taking stuff for it and also OTC stuff to keep me "quiet" and "dry" during the day.  That said, I did a 120/37 bike/run brick last night and was glad I did an felt no ill effect from my symptoms (I now lean on alleriges side of things).

I'd see your doctor and tell them the predicament you are in.  I, too, believe it is time for rest and time to remember what it felt like not to have to train 5 days a week and let my body recoup.  If anything, your doctor can give you stuff for you to take and hopefully you'll not have the nasty cough come race day...  If I was sick sick, I'd have probably noticed it and not been able to complete my effort last night.  (I think the same for you too).

I'll get myself some Airborne now to help claim the victory of ridding my system of this cr@p.

Best,

 Harry