Dealing With a Cold While Training
When I get a cold, it literally happens overnight. I go to bed feeling completely fine and I wake up to a scratchy throat, sore bones and stuffy sinuses. Welcome to my week thus far.
Getting a cold doesn’t need to stop your training in it’s tracks, but it is important to understand what a respiratory illness can mean. If you have been increasing your training and not resting properly, it can be a sign of over training.
Should You Run When You Have a Cold?
This question causes a lot of back and forthing for people, but the most common answer I have received is to follow the “neck” rule. If your symptoms are above your neck, go for it! If they are below, affecting your breathing or your gut, take a day or two off of training. Additionally, if I find that I am weak and achy, I take a day off as well and sleep instead. There is no better way to get your body back on track than to get some R&R.
Other things I lean on:
1. Oil of Oregano
First, let me warn you about the flavour – it is about as potent as turpentine and tastes about as good. On the plus side, it has antimicrobial, antifungal and antiparasitic properties. The plant, which is high in fibre, iron and vitamin K, also contains many phytonutrients that are said to act like antioxidants, preventing cell damage. I do a few drops under the tongue about 3 times a day.
2. Fluids
Keeping a steady stream of water, tea, orange juice with ginger and any other hydrating beverage is going to help flush you out and clean out your system!
3. Raw Garlic
Chop up a raw garlic clove and eat it as quickly as possible. I know I am horrifying you here, but the antibacterial elements of garlic help to stop a cold in it’s tracks. No, swallowing it whole to overcome how unpalatable it is will not work! You need to chew it to release allicin, a very potent antibacterial that is only present shortly after garlic cloves are chopped. Other ways I get it down is chopping it over peanut butter ezekial bread to help negate the taste.
4. Probiotics
Increasing your beneficial flora in your colon will help you to fight off infection. I take a probiotic tablet every morning, but when I am fighting a cold, I double the dose.
5. What remedy did I miss?
These remedies normally have me back on my feet and training within two days.
