Train through a cold?

Above the neck (nose, sinuses) I'll train but probably will back it down a notch.
Below the neck (lungs) I'll sit it out

Edit: Fever means back to bed.

Edited by DanielG 2010-05-12 1:06 PM

My best advice is to be very careful and stay on the safe side.  Listen to your body and get lots of rest.  Your immune system is trying to fight off the bug or whatever it is.  You don't want to break your body down more by messing up your immune system. Do what mom always told you, get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluid. 

Wow good timing for me that this thread came up! I've just had to take a day off because of a bad cold and I was wondering what other people did. I've decided that it's better to take a day or two off so that I get better sooner than to push it too hard and be sick for a week.

I went through that right when I started my training plan this year.  I got sick on day 3 of my plan and was sick for about 1 1/2 weeks.  It was mainly above the neck, and I would get on the trainer and just do easy spins for about an hour w/o pushing it too hard, or do some easy recovery type runs that were about 45 minutes - 1 hour every few days.  Just something to keep active.  I usually felt a lot better after I did this too, but I just didn't have any strength to do much more.  You just don't want to stress your system too much and take away your body's ability to fight the virus.
It feels like you will never get back to your original fitness level, but you really do bounce back pretty quick.  Just don't over do it too fast.

Oy, I'm only just getting over a calf strain and have already been taking it easy this week. Was really hoping to get some run mileage in to make up for lost time.  But it looks like I'll probably have to keep taking it easy for a little longer.

6 more weeks and counting...

I train through unless it's really bad.  Then maybe 1 or 2 days off.  Not really sure when the last time that has happened though.  I actually tend to feel better for the brief amount of time I'm training when I'm sick.  I just back off a little.

edited to reflect my opinion. Shorten the workouts, perhaps, and rest more, but yes, train if it's not dropping to your chest. 

So, four weeks ago my son had a cold and I started feeling like I was catching it.  I decided to train through it.  I did a 12 mile run one day, followed by a 30 mile road ride the next day....both days with just minor cold symptoms.  Then IT hit me the next day.  I have been down (and off work) for three and a half weeks.  Final diagnosis, as my body kept catching new viruses and infections...bronchitis, laryngitis, sinus infection and an ear infection.  I am just recently back to work and my first attempt at any kind of exercise was three days ago.  Went out for a run and couldn't even make it a mile without having to walk, due to lingering symptoms.  It will be a long, slow journey back. 

Word of caution....what may start as just a cold, can quickly turn to something much worse if you run your body down too far.  Don't do it, it's not worth it....I was on track with my marathon training program for a race in June, leading into a 70.3 training program for a race in September....way off track now!!!!

Best of luck on a quick recovery!

So I felt like crap last night when I left work and was going to go straight home and crash. But by the time I actually got close to home, I changed my mind and decided to try spin class.

I was very glad I did. I felt much better for getting out and getting my heart rate up. And I felt like I had a real pick-me-up for the rest of the evening.
Although this morning I feel like hell, it probably more to do with the cold than the exertion.