Why are you running2win?

[Toob_Sox]

Total posts: 316

Registered member.

Since I started running on a regular basis (this time last year), I've noticed a significant (positive) impact on my health. I didn't get sick once last year and am just now fighting some flu symptoms.

Two questions - does this hold true for a lot of you? Sick less often thanks to running? Also curious know if you run through sickness, or chill out for a few days...

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[Decaf]

Total posts: 1070

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I got sick a few weeks before both marathons I ran. I read something somewhere that it's common. Your immune system is shot or some s**t. But over-all, I'd say I get sick less often. I'm sure almost everyone on here reaps the same benefits as you.

If you aren't dying and feel up to it, just run nice and easy. Don't do any workouts or anything. Nice clean air on a run will feel great. There are also other things that feel good that help with the flu, but this isn't the right forum.

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[running for Him]

Total posts: 18

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I usually have opposite health impacts. once i start running in the summer and fall and then again in the spring i always get sick because of it. I dont know if its cause of more exposure to drastic indiana weather or not but usually take a day maybe two of and take it easy on runs for a few days.

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[blackheart]

Total posts: 26

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From a physiological standpoint moderate exercise does improve immune system function. After intense physical activity (workout, race, some long runs, etc.) there is a window of 12 hours to a few days, depending on length and intensity (some workouts probably a few hours, marathon likely days) where the immune system is somewhat suppressed. So in general, being a runner will make you less likely to get sick but you do need to make sure you're taking good care of yourself if you're in the middle of an intense period of training.

With sickness, if your symptoms are neck and up it's OK to run, neck down probably not. If you have a fever then definitely not. Light running can even often help temporarily relieve symptoms such as congestion and running isn't going to do any harm if you just have a headache, sore throat, nose, sinus etc. It's not a good idea to run if you have symptoms in your chest since that indicates lung involvement. Stressing your lungs while they're already under the weather will slow your recovery from the illness and you're not going to get much out of the run. Running with a fever is not a good idea since running elevates your core temp. If you already have a fever, your core temp can get dangerously high pretty quickly.

GI stuff is really your call. If you can eat and drink pretty normally and feel like you're pretty well fueled and hydrated then running (albeit possibly with a few pit stops) isn't going to do much harm.

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[BrewPat]

Total posts: 5083

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I was sick for the longest time, then I got divorced.

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