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Okay...so I just got a PR running a half marathon this past Sunday and ran under 2 hours (barely but I did it!) Now, I have caught a chest virus.... coughing up dark green nasty mucus sometimes bloody green mucus....sorry for the TMI.

My question is.... the half marathon I just ran is basically a training run for my upcoming marathon on October 27th. I haven't run at all this week because I feel like holy hell. Should I try to train anyways or is it in my best interest to rest? I just don't want to sabotage my marathon training! Ya know?

You need to see a Dr. ASAP.

That is definately a trip to the doctor, you may need antibiotics or an inhaler or both. Don't mess with that crap.

They can let you know as well when you can start training again.

Bloody mucus? The only running you should do is to the doctor!

I've always heard that if it's above the neck (just a head cold) that you should go ahead and work out. Below the neck, rest. You definitely need to rest!

(((Shelly)))

Please go to a dr and rest. I hope you feel better. Sending mojo.

I went to the doctor yesterday and he prescribed me a z-pak but said to only take it if it was a cold and not a virus (since it won't do me much good if its a virus). I am admittedly still taking it though in hopes that it will knock this out. But, I forgot to ask him about the running. I'm sure he would tell me not to.

My throat was pretty inflamed. I thought I had strep but they did a test and it wasn't (thank goodness!)

[This message edited by She11ybeanz at 9:13 AM, September 19th (Thursday)]

I'm glad it wasn't strep and that you went to the drs. Hopefully, the meds kick in quick. (((Shelly)))

Thanks.....I hate missing training but I'm afraid if I try to push through it, that it will take me twice as long to recover! UGH....

She11y Congrats on your time. That is awesome.

Now as far as running while sick. If you are running a fever then no exercise. If you are achy all over without running then no exercise.

If you have no fever, and no achies, and you are easily coughing stuff up, then you can exercise, but only at 50% of what you would normally do. THIS IS OF COURSE IF YOU ARE NOT WEEZING AT ALL.

Bloody mucous is nothing to mess with especially if you are coughing it up from your chest. It's actually expected in sinus drainage when you are sick.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids, and getting enough rest. Try a netti pot for the sinus drainage. These things are amazing, and can really help clear out the head, and cut down on the drainage that is contributing to your sore throat.

Also if they did a rapid strep and it was negative then they should be doing another that will be resulted in a day or so. Rapid strep only tests for one type, not both. The other you have to wait to see if grows.

So in summary, skip the workout for a few more days, drink lots and lots and lots of fluids, neti pot as much as you want, and sleep, sleep, sleep.

No training without a Doctor's Ok. The stress of training may weaken the immune system, causing the virus to linger even longer. You want to heal as quickly as possible so you can begin training normally again.

Since you just came off a half, resting a bit is ok.

I'm all about the Netti pot! I used it as soon as I got up this morning before work! Okay...I will rest rest rest and if I feel up to it, then I will try to do an easier run tomorrow....if not...continue to rest!

Taking a little extra rest this close to your marathon won't hurt you. And since you are sick, it is even more important to rest up.

You are going to start tapering soon anyway (right??), missing a few trainings is not going to ruin your marathon effort. After you feel well - as in 100% - if there's still 2 or 3 weeks left, you can get in one last long run. After that, you would taper. When I was training for a marathon (I have completed 3), my last long run would be 25-28 miles (yes, LONGER than a marathon) 3 or 4 weeks before the race. If you only have 2-3 weeks before it's probably best to keep your last long run to 20-23 miles max.

It sounds like this is your first marathon, is that right? Are you doing a run/walk? This is a good technique for a beginning marathoner to get through to the end.

Get better soon, and good luck in your race!

No, this would be my 3rd marathon! You are a BEAST! My longest run for my 1st one was 18 miles...and I ran it in 4:39 and my 2nd one, I did a long run of 21 miles but had a bad race and ran it in 5:05.

I can't imagine running much more than that for my longest run....I would probably die!

And, no. I plan on running the whole thing and only walking through the water stops. That technique seems to work best for me. I didn't do that in the 2nd one and tried to run through them and blew my race...ended up walking a lot at the end.

[This message edited by She11ybeanz at 12:59 PM, September 19th (Thursday)]