Running and health
Should we run when we are not feeling well or are suffering from an infection? Opinions vary ? some people may only slow down because taking a longer break from running is not their style, whereas others stop the minute that their nose starts to run. The best choice is something in between. So can we run with a mild cold? There is a general rule that if the infection is localized in the upper respiratory tract, you don?t need to stop, but if the problem is further down, you should.
You should definitely stop even if your temperature is only slightly elevated. If that happens, hurry to bed and drink herbal tea! Even if you feel you may be getting sick, get yourself some vitamins and tea as your body is probably fighting something, and if you give it some rest instead of putting a strain on it, chances are that you will be able to fight off invaders and soon return to your routine. All the time that you have tickles in your nose or throat, you should take it easy as the problem clearly hasn?t gone and staying at home is the best choice. Stay cautious over the next few days while mucus is still bothering you as the body is weakened after the infection and can easily catch another one. Also keep in mind that some of the ?sudden death? cases in races are the consequences of badly treated infections.
These little troublemakers can cause heart muscle damage that only display their symptoms under higher stress levels. Take time getting back to your running routine. A slow jog is recommended for the first couple of days before getting back into your normal training routine. If you start with regular exercise too early, your weakened body may not be able to cope and the end result can easily be further days or weeks of involuntary rest. Running in the snow and in temperatures far below zero should not be a problem; you don?t need to listen to the non-runners? warning that ?this may give you pneumonia?. But you must be well dressed. You don?t want to look like a snowman, but be more like an onion, with many layers, including functional underwear, a shirt, jacket (can be fleece), tights or rain pants, thermo shirt and underpants, neck protection, hat or a headband to cover your ears, and gloves. When you finish, get yourself warm, change clothes, and drink warm tea, which you can put in your waist bag or keep hidden behind a tree on your favorite trail.
Boost your immune system with supplements such as vitamins, minerals, micronutrients and others products such as Betaglukan, colostrum, Echinacea, Cistus incanus and young barley. Outdoor running also helps boost your immune system - I?ve read somewhere that running has a positive effect on your body?s resistance to infection, but only if you are running 20km a week, which is not enough for those of us who want to race, and therefore need to run more. Logic says that more running reduces this resistance because our bodies are exposed to physical stress, and a common rule is that if you want something from your body, you must feed it first. And remember, your body is most vulnerable to infection within the first few hours after a workout or race.
TIP: I never run out of liquid colostrum and aloe vera spray. The combination of these two products can stop a runny nose and, if taken more often, can help you recover sooner from more serious infections. The liquid colostrum is produced by cows which feed on the clean meadows of Switzerland, Austria and Germany and have not come to know antibiotics. It must be kept refrigerated to preserve the various types of antibodies that are important for our bodies, including up to 20% of immunoglobulin of all levels, growth factors supporting regeneration and more. Even professional athletes can enjoy the taste of this raw milk as it is not considered doping. Note, though, that similar substances do not really work as well as those that are pasteurized through applying heat lose some of their vital components. Aloe vera and colostrum are immunomodulatory substances, i.e. they boost the immune system while reducing negative side effects, and people suffering from allergies, in particular, could find these supplements useful.
MY EXPERIENCE: I am one of those who are said to run even with a broken leg. I don?t let any bacteria ruin my training plan and, if I have to, I slow down. But I never skip running. Having said that, it is true that I have been lucky enough to avoid any serious problems, and my immune system is very strong. I know that not everyone is as lucky as I am and that?s why I don?t recommend handling things the same way as I do!
TRAINING TIP: Attend the LONGRUN RUNNING SEMINAR which takes place on Saturday, 13 February in Ondřejov, about 30km outside of Prague. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced runner, the seminar will give you advice on how to avoid back pain when running and how to live a life without pain caused, for example, by a sedentary lifestyle. You will also learn how to improve your technique and speed up your steps with the help of a special compensation exercise based on the SM-system method. Applications are required, but you can find more information and the application form on www.longrun.cz
