How do you decide when you're too sick to workout?

[fluffycookie]

I've had a head cold for almost a week now that is showing no signs of going away. I didn't work out over the weekend, but I ran on Monday and did the eliptical yesterday.  I have no fever, just a running faucet for my nose and a slight cough, but I feel run down.  When you are sick what symptoms would make you decide to skip workouts?  Everyone that I know that has had this cold said it lasts forever.  My next 5K is on May 26th and I've been working on trying to up my speed (I'm very slow).  I used my inhaler before my run on Monday and felt okay while running, but practically fell asleep later on the couch.

TIA!

[Susie]

I keep working out if the symptoms are above the neck. I stop if the symptoms are in my lungs, or if I just absolutely need a massive night's sleep.

[wambam]

Apr 30, 2014 11:15:15 GMT -5 Susie said:

I keep working out if the symptoms are above the neck. I stop if the symptoms are in my lungs, or if I just absolutely need a massive night's sleep.

This, exactly.

[G22]

I'm a baby when it comes to working out and being sick. If its just a minor cold, that won't stop me. But most anything else I'll take a break.

[fluffycookie]

I ended up going. I used my inhaler before and was still a little tight in the beginning in my chest, but after a few minutes my breathing loosened up. The only real reason that I went was because my Costco tanks came and I wanted to see how it worked during a run....needlss to say I will be ordering more tonight because I loved it! Tomorrow is a rest day and I told MH that I was going to bed super early tonight.

[Deleted]

If I feel weak (i.e. run down) then I give it a miss. A cough, runny nose etc and I will keep going.
Headache will also stop me - running makes them worse through dehydration.

[jamalynn]

Apr 30, 2014 11:24:34 GMT -5 wambam said:

Apr 30, 2014 11:15:15 GMT -5 Susie said:

I keep working out if the symptoms are above the neck. I stop if the symptoms are in my lungs, or if I just absolutely need a massive night's sleep.

This, exactly.

 This.  But if I have a fever, then I don't run either.  Also, I seem to get strep a lot so if my throat is hurting, I usually don't run because I probably have strep.