do I carry on training

[eugene fulchini]

does anybody know if its alright to continue training, when having a very sore throat or wait a week until healed or carrying on riding, this seems the first time i have experience a sore throat its very painful any ideas lads!

[Bally]

In theory if you have a virus/infection you are supposed to let your body keep all its energy to heal the problem, training with any sort of intensity can deprive your body of energy/immune it needs to sort things out.

[glen smart]

To core a sore throat follow this procedure:1. Gargle strong salt water for 10 minutes three times a day. (Lie down so that the salt water solution gets to the sore area.)2. Day two, you will be feeling much better!

[eugene fulchini]

thanks alot lads

[daft punk]

Joe Friel says in his book that if the symptoms are above the neck it is generally ok to continue training but at a reduced intensity. Below the neck and you should stay off the bike until you feel better.

[Kahuczech]

Don't train in this condition, you may increase your chances further infection/prolonged recovery.

[Arthur Heaton]

Fully agree with Bally & Kahuczech you must wait.

[harry adams]

if the sore throat is accompanied by other symptoms such as headache, runny nose, you may have a cold. Colds are caused by viruses and hard training with a virus infection can be very dangerous as the virus can cause inflammation in the heart with serious consequences for your health. Don't want to sound pessimistic but you're better doing nothing until symptoms disappear otherwise you will only set yourself back even longer. I remember reading about the great Beryl Burton who died while cycling. The postmortem discovered scarring in the heart tissue, the conclusion being that in earlier years she had continued to train while suffering from cold viruses and didn't realise that she was causing damage.Sorry to be so morbid but a week off the bike will not see your fitness suffer that much.

[Tom Staniford]

if anything you will come back with renewed determination, vigour, and focus. Always a great thing to have when training.

[Robert Hick]

To add to Tom's post above, when I've taken an enforced rest through illness I've found it can be a blessing in disguise. Got back on the bike and found I was faster and had more stamina. I suppose my muscles had fully recovered and my glycogen levels were way back up. I'm the first to admit that I'm sometimes guilty of overtraining after Christmas which probably made me susceptible to illness in the first place.