Recovery after having the flu

[dave.79]

Just want to get peoples thoughts on getting back on the bike after the flu.I contracted a bad flu which turned into a chest infection and completely destroyed me.Am now on anti biotics and feel realy weak .Hope to get back on the bike in a few days but fear that its gunna take ages to build back to where i was.And also dont want to push to hard to quick and run my body down even more.any advice is appreciated.Cheers Dave

[westab]

Dave,

Whilst I am no doctor nor the most experienced cyclist here - two peices of advise: 1. speak to your doctor and follow his or her advise. 2. listen to your body.
The second part is harder to do as we often hear only what we like. I had a cold about a month ago which developed into a throat infection and bronchitis as I didn't listen to my body and take it easy when I should.
With coming back to riding I started slowly and did only what I needed to - only to work and home. Also I limited myself to the small chain ring which forced me to not to work too hard and to roll down the hills for a break. After finishing the anti biotics and when I was feeling better (which happened at the same time) I did start to ride a little harder - this actuall means to ride my normal pace or just below for just one km of the ten km trip to work. The first day I did the 3rd km (flat) - went OK , the next day the 5th km (slight uphill) - went OK, the next day the 4th km (containing steep uphill) - not so good as I was coughing by the top. Went back to 3rd km the next day. After a five days riding I started to push it on two seperate kms after ten I was back to riding my normal pace everywhere but I still have trouble on a couple of hills near my home. so I just take it easy there. I am now back to about 90% of normal.

With the lower lung capacity (I assume) my gauge ot if I am pashing too hard is if I could talk clearly if a friend rode up behind me. If not then I would back off or even stop to get my breath back. The first week was a killer - so it was early to bed and lots of health food (light). Now it is nearly back to normal it is all about nice high fluid levels and a reasoable amount of protien to help with rebuilding the muscle tone I lost after one week off the bike.

Hope this helps.

[Peacewise]

When you feel completely recovered from the flu, wait another day or two before training again, and then start slowly. Consider where you used to be as a goal to reach in a month or two.
If you are using a periodized training program, rewrite the program to include a few easier weeks of training and change everything after that to reflect your new circumstances.

[Tornado]

My 2c is wait until you are confident that you have fully recovered from the flu. If you get back into it too quick and you get sick again you will be even further behind. They reckon that you recover form in approx half the time that you had off. If you get rather ill twice this will be worse.

[g-boaf]

Just take it easy before getting back out on the bike after the flu - if you start too quickly, the flu might just come back.

If you've got rollers or a wind-trainer, try using that indoors. It will be warmer and you've got more control over what is happening, if you feel a bit bad, you can stop and you don't have to get back home.

And drink plenty of fluids and eat good food, as the doctor will tell you. Get to bed early too, and don't burn the candle with long hours at work if you can avoid it until you are fully recovered.

[Phil]

Had the flu six weeks back. First weekend ride a week after I was off the anti-biotics my heart rates was sitting on 92% Max Heart Rate on hills I am normally at about 75-80% on, and going slower than usual.

Knew damn well I was struggling - is there a correlation between exercise before recovery and heart attacks? No idea, I ain't a doctor, but take it easy and listen to your body. In my case it should have been to take another week off.

[ColinOldnCranky]

Had the flu six weeks back. First weekend ride a week after I was off the anti-biotics my heart rates was sitting on 92% Max Heart Rate on hills I am normally at about 75-80% on, and going slower than usual.

Knew damn well I was struggling - is there a correlation between exercise before recovery and heart attacks? No idea, I ain't a doctor, but take it easy and listen to your body. In my case it should have been to take another week off.

You mentioned the flu. But also antibiotics. The word is that antibiotics are for bacterial infections, not viral. The flu is viral (though it can allow you to succumb to oportunistic bugs including bacteria).

Was it the flu or was it a cold?

+1 to g-boaf. Influenza SHOULD be taken seriously. It is NOT something to be sneezed at. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

[Phil]

Had the flu six weeks back. First weekend ride a week after I was off the anti-biotics my heart rates was sitting on 92% Max Heart Rate on hills I am normally at about 75-80% on, and going slower than usual.

Knew damn well I was struggling - is there a correlation between exercise before recovery and heart attacks? No idea, I ain't a doctor, but take it easy and listen to your body. In my case it should have been to take another week off.

You mentioned the flu. But also antibiotics. The word is that antibiotics are for bacterial infections, not viral. The flu is viral (though it can allow you to succumb to oportunistic bugs including bacteria).

Was it the flu or was it a cold?

+1 to g-boaf. Influenza SHOULD be taken seriously. It is NOT something to be sneezed at. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

Was it Flu or Cold.... Well the doctor probably did say (but I did not listen), and the Anti-biotics cleared it up. Lungs full of crap, achey, etc.