Running a marathon puts a huge strain on your body. An official marathon is just slightly over 26 miles, which means you’ll probably be running for a while. The all-time best time record for men was set on April 2011, when Geoffrey Mutai from Kenya completed the Boston marathon in two hours and three minutes. This means you’ll be running at least this long and probably much longer. Whether you can run a full marathon while sick depends on how sick you are and how much energy you currently have.
Step 1
Rest for a few days before the marathon. While you would normally train every day before a marathon, you need to give your body a break if you’re sick. Sleep, take medication as needed, rest and hydrate your body.
Step 2
Bring some energy gels with you; take one every 30 to 40 minutes. The gels give you a burst of quick energy.
Step 3
Slow down your pace during the actual run. Depending on how sick you are, attempting to win the marathon might be a bad idea, especially if you have a fever or trouble breathing. Instead, slow your pace and focus on finishing, rather than finishing first.
Step 4
Drink up to 40 oz. water per hour. When you’re sick, drinking too much water can make you nauseous or worsen how you feel, so drink less if your stomach feels uncomfortable.
Tips and Warnings
- If your symptoms are located below your head and include things like a chest cold or body aches, it might be a good idea to skip the run. Head symptoms, such as sneezing or a runny nose, are much easier to handle.
- If you feel very sick the day before the marathon, talk to your doctor. He can best advise you on whether you should run.
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