I have a damn cold, started this morning...snotty nose, sore thorat, high temp, usual cr*p...
I decided against training for a few days..(walked 10 miles today instead...)

What does everyone else do?

Carry on training regardless?

Feel sorry for self and lie on sofa?

Train but at lower intensity?

any other ideas?

The sofa thing. :-p

If i have a high temperature, def do nothing...lay off everything for a couple of days, even drive to work rather than riding the 3 miles or so. Actually proper high temperature and I don't go to work either.

If i have runny nose and headache, sore throat I take it easy and try and not go out on night rides if it's cold etc, but only ride in the day at a lower intensity

Oh and the other thing I do .... SULK AND GET GRUMPY. I hate being ill and I was ill about 3 times this winter, and it always seemed to be over weekends too.

Am sure someone else will have a more scientific approach!

I'm pretty much with Claire T, particularly the sulking and grumpiness and wanting to kill whoever has given you it. In the past I've tried to keep going but it always just makes things worse, end up being ill for a fortnight rather than a couple of days.

I also take extra zinc/vit c, echinacea (if I have some) and put a saline rinse through my sinuses as I get loads of sinus problems.

Just getting over a head cold - blocked nose, sore throat and cough. Hubby had it first and I started with it a couple of days later. As we were both on holiday at the time and the weather was fantastic - we still went riding (286 miles over the week) but a bit slower than usual and not quite so many hills. Also found starting later in the morning helped as we both felt at our worst at the beginning and end of the day. Thankfully almost back to normal now , but the hayfever's kicked in!

MM cheers girls...temp was 39.7 last night...so am doing the sulky moody thing and staying home...cleaned windows, ironing etc, laying on sofa bored utta brains looking at the sunshine..
Grrrrrr why is it on my 7 day day break when the sun is shining!!!!
Back to work tomorrow see if i can make work collaegues ill too! (cant go sick for 3 months or will get written warning after my recent head injury, 2 months off...so will infect them all instead and MOAN!) lol

saline rinse doesnt sound fun julbags?! Take the zinc all year though...

I am glad it didnt ruin your holiday Heather! thats a lot of miles for a holiday....

Jane

Saline rinse is actually ok, just looks weird (I use a neti pot, a teapot for the nose). It feels a little like when the water in the swimming pool goes up your nose. It does help and should be useful if my hayfever starts up.

Not to self, take multivit!

eek i will def give it a miss...a nose tea pot? you get that from BHS or soemwhere ;0)
We recommend saline drops for babies at work but dont fancy the teapot..she says sat here breathing through mouth eyes watering like mad, pmsl!

Hope you're on the mend now Jane, think I've beaten my cold into submission for the time being. Yes, it was quite a lot of miles for a holiday, but we're South Downs based so the riding isn't as extreme as the Lakes, Peaks etc. Brilliant fun though, especially when the chalk's as dry as it has been lately! Anyway, best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I do the sulking thing I must be a nightmare, I get so bored but feel so rubbish I can't do anything.

I remember reading somewhere that if the symptoms are above the neck then you can continue exercising but at a reduced intensity and duration. The article said that it might even help a bit as it gets the circulation working and raises the body temperature. You also get some endorphins that might make you feel a bit better and you are less likely to get grumpy.

If the symptoms are below the neck then they said complete R&R, keeping warm and drinking plenty fluids.

I find prevention better than cure (granted not helpful in your situation) so the best thing I have found is to not put your fingers in your mouth! Sounds stupid but I have bitten my nails (and the skin around my nails- gross) for years and when I made a conscious effort not to do this, the amount of colds I got was reduced. I think it's to do with germs surviving longer on hard surfaces such as door handles and then letting them into your system through your mouth. Also at the first sign of a cold I use the First Defence nasal spray, take extra zinc and vit C and hope for the best.

My sister lives in France and introduced my to saline nose rinses a few years ago. The French are well into them and they are magic for getting rid of head colds. First defence is brilliant too.