Training with flu

FWIW Vitamin D is good protection against the flu epidemics only occur above 30 degrees lattitude in fall/winter or in the rainy season it reins in your immune system so you don't drown in your own muccus. Hope Simpson the renowned epidemiologist did alot of research on this and spent the rest of his life trying to educate people on the subject.

Danilot said:

I'm quite propense to catching the flu or some kind of cold every winter despite all my efforts to prevent it; this usually leaves me ill for a couple of weeks. I've tried some light training with flu, only to discover that despite my legs being as strong as ever, I run out of breath after a very short time.

I know that this is caused by the flu affecting my respiratory system, so I would like to know if there's any way that I could train my legs without forcing my respiratory system, so that I can at least keep the strength in my legs during my illness.

Thanks.

Danilot said:

I'm quite propense to catching the flu or some kind of cold every winter despite all my efforts to prevent it

I presume this includes having a flu jab from your doctor or buying one over the counter from a pharmacist? I get a flu jab every year and I've never caught the flu since. I've currently got a cold and it's gone to my chest, but it's not as bad as having flu which really knocks me out.

If you do go down with the flu I'd say any training is better than none as long as you go very easy. Ride in recovery for no more than 30 mins to an hour, keep warm and hydrate well. All you can do is to try to slow down the rate of de-training.

Linus

linusrees said:

If you do go down with the flu I'd say any training is better than none as long as you go very easy. Ride in recovery for no more than 30 mins to an hour, keep warm and hydrate well. All you can do is to try to slow down the rate of de-training.

Linus

I don't think this is sensible advice. If you really have 'flu symptons i.e.

Spells of high fever (hovering above 101°F) and chilliness;
Severe muscle aches and pains;
Followed later by the traditional cold symptoms;

then the best advice is to take medication to reduce the fever and aches and pains, keep hydrated, not smoke and rest, in bed if necessary. Training with these symptoms is a recipe for a prolonged recovery and therefore even longer off the bike.

And even if (as is more likely) you only have a cold, then listen you your body ! It's telling you that it's trying to fight off a virus. It's much better to take a couple of days off, than risk a few weeks (or more) off by making yourself worse by training with a cold.

fastcat said:

not smoke and...

Does anyone who takes their health seriously through cycling actually smoke? :eek:

sogood said:

Does anyone who takes their health seriously through cycling actually smoke? :eek:

Probably not tobacco....

fastcat said:

I don't think this is sensible advice. If you really have 'flu symptons i.e.

Spells of high fever (hovering above 101°F) and chilliness;
Severe muscle aches and pains;
Followed later by the traditional cold symptoms;

then the best advice is to take medication to reduce the fever and aches and pains, keep hydrated, not smoke and rest, in bed if necessary. Training with these symptoms is a recipe for a prolonged recovery and therefore even longer off the bike.

And even if (as is more likely) you only have a cold, then listen you your body ! It's telling you that it's trying to fight off a virus. It's much better to take a couple of days off, than risk a few weeks (or more) off by making yourself worse by training with a cold.

Hi Fastcat

I take your point. Rest is the best advice along with the rest of what you've said. So why did I post what I did? Well if you are not bed-ridden, or near bed-ridden, with the flu then very gentle exercise may be a good thing. Gentle exercise can boost the immune system even when you already have the flu. It can also be a good psychological boost. I try to get active as soon as I can: starting with a gentle walk for 15 minutes then gentle riding for 30 minutes. If I don't feel it's worth it I turn around and head home. You're right to say "listen to your body".

Linus

fastcat said:

I don't think this is sensible advice. If you really have 'flu symptons i.e.

Spells of high fever (hovering above 101°F) and chilliness;
Severe muscle aches and pains;
Followed later by the traditional cold symptoms;

then the best advice is to take medication to reduce the fever and aches and pains, keep hydrated, not smoke and rest, in bed if necessary. Training with these symptoms is a recipe for a prolonged recovery and therefore even longer off the bike.

And even if (as is more likely) you only have a cold, then listen you your body ! It's telling you that it's trying to fight off a virus. It's much better to take a couple of days off, than risk a few weeks (or more) off by making yourself worse by training with a cold.

I agree wholeheartedly - excellent advice.

sogood said:

Does anyone who takes their health seriously through cycling actually smoke? :eek:

😄 😄 😄 😄 😄 😄 Hooray! Someone who hasn't read "It's killing me but..."

I don't know how good you are on the bike, but "The Smoker" and a few of his riding buddies (smokers) would probably wipe the floor with you.😉

Pureshot78 said:

Probably not tobacco....

A smoker here, and before every ride. of course, not tobacco. i found if i dont smoke i cant eat enough to support my training.

Sillyoldtwit said:

😄 😄 😄 😄 😄 😄 Hooray! Someone who hasn't read "It's killing me but..."

I don't know how good you are on the bike, but "The Smoker" and a few of his riding buddies (smokers) would probably wipe the floor with you.😉

LOL ,this reminds about 6 months ago on a 10 mile climb. i beat the group up and was smoking while i waited. one rider says, dude, you beat us up on the climb and now your smoking!

zaskar said:

LOL ,this reminds about 6 months ago on a 10 mile climb. i beat the group up and was smoking while i waited. one rider says, dude, you beat us up on the climb and now your smoking!

LOL Yeah I hate you guys - theoretically you should be puffing and wheezing, bringing up loads of flem and in the worst case scenario coughing up blood.
Think I'll take up smoking, might improve my cycling.😎 At least my climbing should improve as I will undoubtly lose weight. TYSON

Sillyoldtwit said:

LOL Yeah I hate you guys - theoretically you should be puffing and wheezing, bringing up loads of flem and in the worst case scenario coughing up blood.
Think I'll take up smoking, might improve my cycling.😎 At least my climbing should improve as I will undoubtly lose weight. TYSON

HA HA ha ha, yea it's the FTP training that's killing you, smoking will help raise your power without killing you but......... 🙂

Danilot said:

I'm quite propense to catching the flu or some kind of cold every winter despite all my efforts to prevent it; this usually leaves me ill for a couple of weeks. I've tried some light training with flu, only to discover that despite my legs being as strong as ever, I run out of breath after a very short time.

I know that this is caused by the flu affecting my respiratory system, so I would like to know if there's any way that I could train my legs without forcing my respiratory system, so that I can at least keep the strength in my legs during my illness.

Thanks.

I have a "man flu" as well, it sucks!

I find chewing gum helps when the air is cold, seems to have less of a shock on the lungs. Also latex nasal strips (a la Robbie Fowler) are something I have just started using, they seem to help.

I'm just recovering from a severe resp infection. Third time i've been sick in 6 months!!! 🙁🙁🙁 for over a weak each time. 1st time copped influenza A - 2 weeks down. 2nd time - heavy flu - 1 week down and now resp infect - 1 week down tomorrow.😠

I know exactly how you feel - and basically agree with the advice. Hardcore resting until ur immune response builds to a point where it is winning, (which usually corresponds to you starting to feel a little better) - then VERY light exercise.

Remember you should never exercise to exhuastion when sick. Your body needs energy to fight the illness.

sogood said:

Does anyone who takes their health seriously through cycling actually smoke? :eek:

I passed some guy on the trail last summer that was riding an Orca and smoking a cigarette. Spend all that money on a bike and you smoke, he probably wouldn't do any better on a $40 Wal-Mart bike.

a couple of pieces of advice i've been given in the past regarding sickness:

- if your cold/flu is in your chest (e.g. coughing up phlegm), then restrict training to light spinning. if it's not in your chest (e.g. blocked nose, headache), then you can go harder. as has been mentioned before, listen to your body.

- as soon as you feel cold/flu coming on, take 2grams (2000mg) vitamin c every 2 hours for 48 hours. i think that this amount of vit c infiltrates every cell in your body, keeping the virus out. if you worry about having too much, your body will tell you, as you'll be running to the loo every 5 mins (the only side effect, so i understand).

- if you're prone to infection, take vits a,c,e + zinc, selenium etc daily.

- don't smoke. or do smoke. listen to your body 😉