11/09/2026
My son and husband have been fighting a minor cough for the last few days. Luckily, I hadn’t noticed any symptoms until my run today.
Immediately after starting my run, I could tell my heart rate was higher than usual for the pace I was running. I instantly knew what that meant. My body was battling the same virus my son and husband had. Then, when I thought about it, I realized I felt weaker than usual during my strength training session yesterday and had to use slightly lighter weights.
Duh. I was getting it too.
So, I switched my plan from high-intensity intervals to an easy 3-mile run.
When I suspect I might be coming down with a cold, I do the following:
1. Stay hydrated. I make sure to get .75 oz of water per pound of body weight.
2. Prioritize sleep. I make sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep per night.
3. Back off on workout intensity. I still get my workouts in, but I might do a shorter workout, use less weight, perform fewer sets, or lower the intensity.
4. Skip the sauna and cold plunge. These can further stress your system when it’s already being taxed.
5. Take 1,000 mg of vitamin C.
6. Take both Umcka and ColdCalm. (See comments.)
As we approach cold season, I hope you give your body the support and rest it needs to get you back to normal.