Hi Cat, I personally would wait a few more days to do your longest run because if you run and its really tough it may knock your confidence. Tapering is important but you could do a long run about 8 or 9 days before and still get plenty of time to rest your legs before the half. I am also doing a half that  day and will most likely do 12 or so miles a week beforehand. Try to rest, sleep and eat well over the next couple of weeks. Hope this helps. 

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread, but I have a variation on this question.  I too have a stinking cold which laid me up in bed over the weekend.  It's now just a head cold with a bit of fatigue (which may be psychological!).  I have my first half marathon on 10 October.  I've run up to 10 niles several times, was due to do 11 at the weekend but couldn't (although I'd done a 6, and 8 and several gym sessions throughout the week). For my own peace of mind I want to do 12 miles this weekend before tapering.  Is this too little too late, or do I risk prolonging the cold and not being able to compete?  all I want to do is get round the course without walking - I'm not concerned about time.

Well done Marge, thats great. I did the Marwell 10k on Sunday and that was plenty far enough in that heat. It was knackering.

Well done Marge, tremendous effort in the face of adversity. I know I couldn't do that distance yet whatever the weather or body state, the half marathon was a challenge to me in those conditions.

Yes - finished the marathon in 4:25:30 = 17 mins off my previous best; but it was REALLY hard and extremely hot. Had to walk a bit at the end, but I think that was conditions rather than the after-effect of my cold - everyone around me was walking a bit by the end. Thanks for encouragement and advice!

When I have a head cold or sniffly then if i'm still in the mood for running i'll run at two thirds pace and two thirds distance of what i would normally have planned.

If its chesty couch or cold ie below the neck, then i ease off altogether. knowing if its less than a week then i wont lose that much fitness, knowing that i will come back raring to go.

Hi Marge, how did you do?

I'm on tenterhooks now, hope you sorted your cold out and managed to do the marathon.

As a doctor my advice is similar to Derek's. If you have a temperature or systemic symptoms such as headache, aching muscles, fatigue then I would do nothing-you need to rest. If you feel ok then a gentle run without any pressure might actually help as it can alleviate stress and gentle exercise can boost your immune system, whereas there is evidence that intensive exercise makes you more prone to minor respiratory infections.

There is something known as the Zatopek phenomonen after Emile Zatopek, where athletes are unable to train due to illness or injury and then go on to produce the performance of their lives- so I would try not to worry about the marathon, you will probably be ok.

Hi Marge in my opinion all of these are related to a stressful situation. I'm no doctor but there is a tendency to catch all sorts of infections usually colds or rhinitis where you are under pressure either at work or at home or both where your immunity system is low, and no doubt the marathon is adding to it.

I would say take it easy and do some easy running, don't set any targets just go with the flow and spend more 'me' time if you can up to the event.

I think you have done all of the hard work now and you should be tapering, I reckon you'll be ready on the day snotty nose or not and be able to complete the full distance.

Let us know how you get on.

Derek 

I know this has been discussed a bit before - but this time it's serious!! I'm about 5 days into a stinking cold - sore throat, snotty nose - but it's only 8 days until the Edinburgh marathon. Haven't run since Monday, had a stupidly busy week at work, and don't know how best to proceed - gentle run, gym instead or rest for a few more days?? I've done all the hard sessions, but don't want to blow it now....