Upper Respitorary/Broncitis in the middle of training

[disneygirl76]

Hey there everyone,

So I haven't run in a week and have been laid up in bed with vicious infection of some kind. Docs don't know if bacterial or viral so treating me both ways. Fun stuff. I feel terrible. But I guess the good thing is, i'm officially a runner b/c all i can think about is getting back out there to run. And i'm very concerned with my training. I'm not the greatest runner out there. Although have come a long way since I started I still haven't done longer then a 5 k and my normal time is some where around the 14 1/2 to 16 min/mile marker. So i have a long way to go to get stamina to go longer and faster.

Any who - the doc said, this cough and labored breathing can last for an additional 2 to 4 weeks after I start to feel better.

Has anyone trained after a sickness like this? Any tips to get back into tip top shape? I am doing DPHM so have 6 months to train and need every minute of it. But more importantly, I am running the Marine Core 10 K to hopefully get a better coral placement and that is only 2 months away and if this is, as the doc says, an additional month to recover, I am afraid the MC10K will be effected.

Any advice is great.

Thank you!

 

[Ariel484]

I'm sorry you are so sick! I hope you feel better soon. You're definitely doing the right thing by taking time off, as frustrating and panicky as it is (I can relate...I blew out my back in 2010 and could barely walk for a week after - no running for 4-6 weeks. It sucked).

My biggest piece of advice would be not to rush back into running when you do start back up. Wait until you are completely well - if you start running again too soon you could find that your illness lingers or worsens.

When you do get to start running again, go into it with adjusted (i.e. realistic) expectations - your endurance just won't be what it was pre-illness. Take it slow and don't try to do too much too soon. If you can get up to the 10K distance, definitely still participate in your 10K - submitting a time to Disney is always a good thing, and if Marine Corps doesn't go well try to find another 10K to run later in the year.

I wish I had better advice. I think the most challenging thing will be to be patient in your recovery. You still have plenty of time. Get well soon!

 

[Texas84]

Not a doctor, but I think you can go a full week, maybe two, and not hurt your training. I always take a week off before a long run.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

I can totally sympathize with you I've been training for my first half marathon in October and I've been sidelined for 3 weeks with mono, of all things. I'm 32! I had no idea adults could get it (or that it's worse)...my doctor thinks it came from the drinking fountain at the gym. So crazy.

I missed a 10k last week and I'm going to miss the Lucy Half too (it's in Lucille Ball's hometown and the medal is Lucy-themed...I'm so disappointed ).

My fever is finally gone and, after 3 weeks, I'm just starting 10-minute WALKS. I probably won't be able to run for at least another 3-4 weeks (if I go too fast, I could relapse or have some symptoms for up to a year). So, I'm trying not to wallow, and I'm focusing all my attention toward the Princess Half. I'm registered and raring to go...it'll just be my first half instead of my second!

So please focus on taking care of yourself. I know it's hard, but if you rest now and ensure you're 100%, then build up slowly, you'll be much better in the long run (no pun intended, lol).

Feel better soon!

 

[ChristaH]

I am in the same "resting and waiting" phase as you after a hip injury and I am feeling just as panicky as you! @Ariel484's comment about having realistic expectations seems really smart to me. I'll have to keep that in mind. Hope you are feeling better soon!

 

[Ariel484]

@PeoplemoverTTA - sorry to hear you are sick! Can you defer your entry for the Lucy Half and run it next year?
@ChristaH - Thanks!

 

[wdwstateofmind]

I have a URI (sinus infection & bronchitis)...I've been running two miles only everday at a very moderate pace...you can run a moderate amount as it helps your white blood cells build ultimately fighting the infection...

HOWEVER, too much running will do the opposite and can cause further infection...google marathons and respiratory tract infections and you'll be amazed...so please do not "train" while you have your symptoms and try to just sustain...IMHO I'd skip the Marine marathon as it's really close and you can get VERY sick afterwards if you have a URI right now...

 

[disneygirl76]

I'm sorry you are so sick! I hope you feel better soon. You're definitely doing the right thing by taking time off, as frustrating and panicky as it is (I can relate...I blew out my back in 2010 and could barely walk for a week after - no running for 4-6 weeks. It sucked).

My biggest piece of advice would be not to rush back into running when you do start back up. Wait until you are completely well - if you start running again too soon you could find that your illness lingers or worsens.

When you do get to start running again, go into it with adjusted (i.e. realistic) expectations - your endurance just won't be what it was pre-illness. Take it slow and don't try to do too much too soon. If you can get up to the 10K distance, definitely still participate in your 10K - submitting a time to Disney is always a good thing, and if Marine Corps doesn't go well try to find another 10K to run later in the year.

I wish I had better advice. I think the most challenging thing will be to be patient in your recovery. You still have plenty of time. Get well soon!

Thanks! If I feel like I can't run MC, a friend will buy it off me. She wants to run it. But I am hoping that I can do it. I was not planning for this snafu. I'm really sorry about your back!

 

[disneygirl76]

I can totally sympathize with you I've been training for my first half marathon in October and I've been sidelined for 3 weeks with mono, of all things. I'm 32! I had no idea adults could get it (or that it's worse)...my doctor thinks it came from the drinking fountain at the gym. So crazy.

I missed a 10k last week and I'm going to miss the Lucy Half too (it's in Lucille Ball's hometown and the medal is Lucy-themed...I'm so disappointed ).

My fever is finally gone and, after 3 weeks, I'm just starting 10-minute WALKS. I probably won't be able to run for at least another 3-4 weeks (if I go too fast, I could relapse or have some symptoms for up to a year). So, I'm trying not to wallow, and I'm focusing all my attention toward the Princess Half. I'm registered and raring to go...it'll just be my first half instead of my second!

So please focus on taking care of yourself. I know it's hard, but if you rest now and ensure you're 100%, then build up slowly, you'll be much better in the long run (no pun intended, lol).

Feel better soon!

Oh my goodness! You poor thing! Feel better and take it easy!!!! Mono! I haven't heard of that since high school!

 

[disneygirl76]

I am in the same "resting and waiting" phase as you after a hip injury and I am feeling just as panicky as you! @Ariel484's comment about having realistic expectations seems really smart to me. I'll have to keep that in mind. Hope you are feeling better soon!

Feel better soon! I can't believe how panicky I am! I mean, I keep trying to think positively, that I really like running so much that I miss it. I will have to remember that too - realistic expectations. Feel better!

 

[disneygirl76]

I have a URI (sinus infection & bronchitis)...I've been running two miles only everday at a very moderate pace...you can run a moderate amount as it helps your white blood cells build ultimately fighting the infection...

HOWEVER, too much running will do the opposite and can cause further infection...google marathons and respiratory tract infections and you'll be amazed...so please do not "train" while you have your symptoms and try to just sustain...IMHO I'd skip the Marine marathon as it's really close and you can get VERY sick afterwards if you have a URI right now...

Thanks for the info. I will google and see what it has to say. I'm laying in bed and have been watch watching people out the window. Are view looks over the pool and I see people swimming in these last few weeks of summer and I can see beyond them in the a.m., people going off for a morning run. I am also supposed to start with a personal trainer in a week!! Oi!

 

[wdwstateofmind]

Thanks for the info. I will google and see what it has to say. I'm laying in bed and have been watch watching people out the window. Are view looks over the pool and I see people swimming in these last few weeks of summer and I can see beyond them in the a.m., people going off for a morning run. I am also supposed to start with a personal trainer in a week!! Oi!

I mean you can go swimming and lightly workout...it will be good for your infection...just training for a marathon right now will just make things worse...if you're on anti-biotic get some probiotic (ask for the behind the counter stuff in the fridge) and it will help speed up your body evening out once you're done with your course and running again...

The statistics of marathon runner who get URI after marathons is pretty interesting with a VERY high percentage...white blood cells no like marathons....

 

[Ariel484]

Thanks! If I feel like I can't run MC, a friend will buy it off me. She wants to run it. But I am hoping that I can do it. I was not planning for this snafu. I'm really sorry about your back!

Oh, thanks..the back thing happened 3 years ago. It was a blessing in a way because the recovery was so frustrating that it really motivated me to stay consistent with running once I was 100%. I felt so awful and out of sharpe when I started back up that I realized I didn't ever want to feel that way again.

ANYWAY...in my opinion, even if you keep it super relaxed, submitting any 10K time for the Princess Half should move you up a corral or two from the back. And personally I would keep taking total rest days until you feel a bit more normal. But that's just me.

 

[disneygirl76]

I mean you can go swimming and lightly workout...it will be good for your infection...just training for a marathon right now will just make things worse...if you're on anti-biotic get some probiotic (ask for the behind the counter stuff in the fridge) and it will help speed up your body evening out once you're done with your course and running again...

The statistics of marathon runner who get URI after marathons is pretty interesting with a VERY high percentage...white blood cells no like marathons....

That's crazy! I was talking to my friend today who's brother is a crazy marathoner - will do them every weekend if he can. And he gets the URI's all the time! And I did some research and OMG! You are so right! Crazy! Curious

 

[disneygirl76]

ugghhh...stupid computer lap top - i'm using my DH's. Anyways - curious to know if a run walk combo is better then an all out run. I'm not looking to win this thing after all.

 

[Kristia]

ugghhh...stupid computer lap top - i'm using my DH's. Anyways - curious to know if a run walk combo is better then an all out run. I'm not looking to win this thing after all.

We have done both an all out run (with quick stops for water) and a run/walk combo. Sometimes the run/walk combo can actually improve your time if you aren't used to running straight for long distances. I found with the marathon in particular, it helped to keep my legs a bit fresher if I took a minute walk break every mile. It switches up the muscles a bit and helps them to not tire out so easily. Maybe check out the Galloway plan for the half marathon if you want to use a run/walk method.

 

[joel_maxwell]

Not a doctor, but I think you can go a full week, maybe two, and not hurt your training. I always take a week off before a long run.

Ill give you a week, maybe, but after that, you will lose your edge a little with each day.

Im not a good person to listen too here for this, because I got pneumonia in June and ran on it for about a month. I finally went to the doctor and he said to stop for 2 weeks. I said that isnt going to happen, so he said walk the "time" that it would take me to do the mileage for that day. It didnt help I was running in 90%+ humidity every day. I didnt like that answer so I took 2 days off while feeling like hell, let my fever go down and the meds to kick in, but I went to the pool the next 2 days and pool ran. I got in the deep end and ran. I wasnt going to lose my edge. Yes, that is stupid, but you have to make decisions for yourself and what you think you can handle.

Head cold, run through it. It will actually help.

Chest cold, they say to rest.... but......

Good luck in your recovery and be smart. Do what you think you can do, then do a little more.

 

[Ariel484]

ugghhh...stupid computer lap top - i'm using my DH's. Anyways - curious to know if a run walk combo is better then an all out run. I'm not looking to win this thing after all.

Nothing wrong with run/walk. When I started running I was doing run 3 minutes/walk 1 minute, then 4/1. Eventually I got up to running 1 mile/walk 1 minute like @Kristia . Right now I like running 2 miles/walking 30 seconds - 1 minute. Just figure out what works best for you when you get back to training. The "best" method is whichever one allows you to finish happy, healthy and not feeling like death.

 

[disneygirl76]

Nothing wrong with run/walk. When I started running I was doing run 3 minutes/walk 1 minute, then 4/1. Eventually I got up to running 1 mile/walk 1 minute like @Kristia . Right now I like running 2 miles/walking 30 seconds - 1 minute. Just figure out what works best for you when you get back to training. The "best" method is whichever one allows you to finish happy, healthy and not feeling like death.

I am wondering if that is easier on the lungs? What are your thoughts?

 

[disneygirl76]

Ill give you a week, maybe, but after that, you will lose your edge a little with each day.

Im not a good person to listen too here for this, because I got pneumonia in June and ran on it for about a month. I finally went to the doctor and he said to stop for 2 weeks. I said that isnt going to happen, so he said walk the "time" that it would take me to do the mileage for that day. It didnt help I was running in 90%+ humidity every day. I didnt like that answer so I took 2 days off while feeling like hell, let my fever go down and the meds to kick in, but I went to the pool the next 2 days and pool ran. I got in the deep end and ran. I wasnt going to lose my edge. Yes, that is stupid, but you have to make decisions for yourself and what you think you can handle.

Head cold, run through it. It will actually help.

Chest cold, they say to rest.... but......

Good luck in your recovery and be smart. Do what you think you can do, then do a little more.

Thanks! This is all chest. All coughy and wheezy! UGH! Hate it! I'm going for a walk tonight when my DH comes home. Don't want to walk alone, just in case. Need to get out of this bed.