Adjusting your training for illness

Being ill sucks, particularly when your training is going well. Here’s how to get back on track.

Last week I was struck down with the lurgy. I had a terrible long run on the Saturday morning where I wanted it to end throughout. But I just thought it was one of those things that happens during marathon training. On the Saturday evening my throat started to feel a bit sore and my body started aching. Uh oh.

I spent the next three days moving between my bed and the sofa dosed up on paracetamol and ibuprofen. Some people deal with illness by mainlining green juice and ginger shots. I am not one of them. I survived on a diet of original Lucozade and white carbs. But I survived. Running was the furthest thing from my mind, despite new pairs of running shoes arriving and races in the calendar. I didn’t leave the house for four days and even a mile run/walk with the beginners group I’m coaching was out of the question. I was due to be doing a 30k race yesterday but, despite feeling a lot better, Sunday morning came and went without me pinning a race number to my vest.

This is probably a scenario being repeated up and down the country as runners training for spring races get struck down with illnesses. So, here’s my advice.

What to do when illness strikes

I’m talking here about run-of-the-mill colds and flu or sickness bugs you might pick up. If you’ve been unwell with anything that has needed you to be seen by a doctor or admitted to hospital, seek a professional medical opinion about returning to running.