Running with Covid-19: How to relate, recoup & recover.
After two years of being under the radar, Covid 19 caught up with me two weeks into 2022.
Since I tested positive for Covid last week, I have been getting tons of questions ranging from how I felt at the onset to how do I gauge returning back to the road.
So let’s dive right in 😏
What prompted me to take a Covid test? I began feeling unwell, but not like a cold or flu unwell if that makes sense. I have not caught the cold or flu in years so when I began to experience body aches and chills, my awareness was heightened. I had a headache that lasted for 5 days even after taking painkillers. When I fell asleep in the middle of an important training session due to extreme fatigue, I was concerned. However, because I am ridiculously stubborn when it comes to running, I decided to go on a 12 minute run to complete The Stack challenge on Nike Run Club and halfway in, I struggled to breathe. I was scared.
The test results: The moment I left the testing site, I already believed I had Covid. My nasal swab from my rapid antigen left a burning sensation in my left nostril. By the time I arrived at my home, my positive result was confirmed.
How I really felt: The first 5 days of the virus were the worst. Extreme fatigue, loss of appetite and headaches came after the body aches and chills. I couldn’t be around my son or my run group. There were definitely tears of sadness at that point. I needed to take naps at 12 noon daily because that was when my body went into shut down. I would not compare my symptoms to a bad cold or flu. I do recognize that everybody experiences different reactions.
How I handled nutrition: I am forever thankful to my nutritionist Gimme Gourmet for not only fussing me to eat but delivering my meals and food items to my doorstep. I am thankful to my friends for making healthy grocery store runs for me- fresh fruits, all natural coconut water, leafy greens. It was what I needed to keep my strength and my immunity up and to maintain the standard of nutrition I have become accustomed to.
Returning to running: Getting back on the road was more difficult than I anticipated. I started off slowly and stayed within that one mile parameter. Breathing was still difficult after being in isolation for 7 days and I needed to stop multiple times to catch my breath. My heart rate was elevated and I was drenched in sweat after very short runs. I felt discouraged about my health and I worried that I lost fitness after a short stint with the virus. Strength training in my driveway wasn’t much better.
The bottom line: It has been two weeks since I developed symptoms. I tested negative yesterday and our local health organization has signed off on my quarantine release. I am still battling lingering fatigue and occasional nausea. My running has been looking amazing (by the numbers) but I know that I have ways to go and I am not completely out of the woods. I am taking my return to training cautiously. My advice to my fellow runners is to listen to your bodies always; take it easy after a Covid diagnosis. Have realistic expectations of what your body can and cannot do in the days and weeks ahead. Eat well. Hydrate. Rest. Keep your immune system up.
Have you had a recent Covid diagnosis and are unsure of how to approach your running? Let us know 🤗
Coach Linda