Green coughs coughs stuff. And running.

[CollaterlieSistersSister]

I’m a delight.

I’ve had a cough and cold for about 3 weeks. I’m now in that stage where lovely green globules of phlegm are produced. (Gross, but FASCINATING.)

I’m otherwise fully functional, but except for slower than usual parkrun, I haven’t run or done any exercise in that time. I’d read a few scare stories of running with chesty coughs turning you into a frog, or something.

I’ve a half marathon in 4 weeks (a hilly one, a darn hilly one). I ran a HM only a month ago, so it’s not that long since I was race ready, but I’m genuinely not sure how to deal with these last four weeks.

Any tips please? I’m guessing green doesn’t mean ‘go’.

I am by no stretch of the imagination an experienced runner or medically knowledgeable but I have found in the past that a run has helped shake a bad chest loose. When was the park run you did?

Do you feel better or do you feel unwell? If you feel well in yourself do a few short easy paced runs or a brisk walk and see how you feel. If you feel ill then you still need to rest and possibly get a medical check up if you are not improving.

The usual mantra is if the cold is above your neck (including throat) then you’re ok to run; if it’s below (on your chest) then best not to. However, a gentle run can help shake out the remaining phlegm etc at the end of your cold. I agree with PP, if you’re feeling ok in yourself then you’re probably ok to run, but take tissues with you!

I'd go gently and see how it goes. I had a week off two weeks ago with a bad cold that was headachy and tiring, then a bit wheezy. On my first run last week I used the heart rate setting to keep it down to zone 3 which meant lots of little bursts of running and walking and low strain.

Thank you all.

The last parkrun I did was week last Saturday, and it was a struggle. Legs good, head willing, but just felt exhausted and coughed. And coughed. And coughed.

I think I’m going to try treadmill on incline in gym tonight, just a walk at first and see how I go.

3 and a half weeks till HM. Eeek.