Running with a cough...

[Villains_Rock]

I know about the "neck up" rule and I have been resting up fighting a cold. I still have a nagging cough. It's productive and I have been feeling a ton better, but I can't seems to shake it. Between resting after the Wine and Dine...my baby's double ear infection...and this cold....I have not been running in over a month. I really need to get back to it, but....the cough. Should I run even though it goes against the "neck up" rule? I feel like I will never get my resistance back up if I don't get out there and get back to it!!

 

[FireDancer]

I was just getting over a cold when I ran the River Run half marathon in September. The cold itself was gone but I had some lingering chest issues including a cough. After less than two miles I had cleared up completely and it ended in a half marathon PR. As long as you think the actual cold is gone and it is just the lingering cough I think you'll be ok.

Worst case I'd head out and just listed to how your body feels. If after a mile you don't clear up and have trouble breathing stop.

 

[Villains_Rock]

Thanks Frank

 

[SAHDad]

I've run with colds before. Just take Franks advice - give it a mile, and, if your hacking up a lung, stop. You'll definitely want to do a slower pace, since you haven't been running in a while as well.

(I've tried racing with a cough. I didn't PR, but I felt sooo much better the next day, since I had hacked so hard during the race.)