Cold medicines and race peformance - General running

baldbloke

07/02/2013 at 10:15

oh dear, seem to have timed a flu bug to peak perfectly at the Wokingham HM on Sunday.

any views on the best cold medicine stuff to take in build up to race, and just before, in order not to impede performance too much. wondering whether the paracetemol, codeine in this stuff is going to slow me down more than the bug itself.

Joolska

07/02/2013 at 10:39

If it's really flu or any cold is bad enough that your breathing is affected you shouldn't race. There will be other half marathons where you won't risk giving yourself a chest infection or (I accept this is rare, but is a risk) damaging your heart.

cougie

pirate

07/02/2013 at 10:52

If you're ill - then don't race. You'll only make it worse.

Theres a rule of thumb that says - above the neck is fine - but below - just dont do it.

Tom77

07/02/2013 at 11:00

Flu can cause Myocarditis, which can be fatal (although it's usually much less serious). Best not to take any chances.

Elstead runner

07/02/2013 at 15:07

Don't race. If you are ill enough to need cough or cold medicines in the week to ten days before a race, don't do it.

Nasty coughs and colds can put a strain on your heart even without the impact of the various chemicals that are put into the "remedies". There are thousands of half marathons every year so it's not as if this is a one-off event. There's only one of you though.....

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