I’ve got a stinking cold and have had for a week now, the only positive thing about it is that I can lose about a pound in weight simply by blowing my nose 😕

Would a few HIIT turbo sessions or going for a run be a bad idea?

If your chest is clearish and no fever, then maybe. I wouldn’t do anything high intensity though. I’ve had a hideous head cold all weekend, and am pondering the same thing. Not today for me though.

I don’t think it is really recommended, probably something to do with letting you body recover from the infection before putting additional demands on it.

Having typed that, I cycle commute everyday (20 to 50 mile round trip), stinking cold or not. It blows away the cobwebs (and excess mucus!) and makes me feel better, so take the above advice from a hypocrite like me as you would from any other person who says “do as I say, not as I do”!

No, just no. Wait till it’s gone.

My preference is to dose myself up with paracetamol and ibuprofen, drink a load of water and struggle through some physical activity than sit around and wallow in my own self pity. I’m convinced it helps the cold pass quicker.

Yeah, that was my attitude too, until one day doing the same resulted in a collapse, then eventually chronic fatigue. Took years to get back.

Hmmm, will probably go with a middle round option then, brisk walk at lunchtime for a couple of miles should help and limit any potential damage.
Going a bit stir crazy with all this sitting about.

Normally your muscles will tell you if you’re going to be doing damage. Mine ache walking up the stairs today, so it’s a definite no. Still needing profen or paracetamol would rule it out for me, partly because it will mask those kind of messages.

Like the side effects from FLU jab ,can get weird sometimes .

Make me all aches n lack of energy for a day.

If it’s only in your head (snot, sinuses) get out. If it’s in your body too (chest/aches/temperature) take it easy i.e. go out and do something steady** particularly if the weather’s nice as it’ll fill you full of joy.

** I may have contravened my own advice by going hike-a-bike in The Lakes…

Not recommended. Superfit athletes have died overtraining when sick 😐

In my experience a bit of lightish exercise helps. I’ve had a mild cold for a couple of weeks on and off (courtesy of the start of the school term!). Sitting around in a centrally heated house just made me feel worse and getting some fresh air really helped. Yesterday I took the decision to go on a club (road) ride rather than have a lie-in and I felt much better for it. I was slow and off the pace, but it cleared out the snot and made me feel human again.

What I wouldn’t do is anything high intensity tho’

As scuttle said, advice I was given years ago by a professional cycling team doctor;-
Above the neck – ok to train/ride, below the neck – rest.

If it’s just a cold mtfu and go for it.
Bare in mind if you were prehistoric man and you were being chased by a sabre toothed tiger you wouldn’t say i can’t run today i’ve got a cold.

I never train when feeling really bad but it’s how soon to get going again when recovering I struggle with. Once I did manage to get bronchitis, which took me 3 weeks to get over, when doing a ride when a cold seemed to be going so am cautious.