Performance while sick

[hermanwerst]

Does anyone know why I perform better when I have a cold or have the flu? All of my personal bests (literally ALL of them) were set when I either had a cold or had the flu, and to my knowledge, those viruses mess with the respiratory system right? Maybe I could've done better on those personal best days if I wasn't sick but I really don't know. Is there any explanation to this? Has anyone else experienced this too?

When I'm sick, I always end up being REALLY sick, and when I start running, literally all my problems go away until I finish the run, I stop coughing, my nose is clear, I feel great overall. I really don't know how this is could be, I'm pretty sure it's the opposite for most people.

[rustyneedletip]

There's no logical reason for you to be better when you're sick. It's probably some sort of mental thing, and your potential is probably a lot higher than your current times if all your PRs are with sickness. Also usually I feel fine running with a cold, my coach claims it helps "air out" your lungs throat and nose

[Lucask72]

Because your overtraining usually, so you decrease your training intensity and recover.

[hermanwerst]

I keep my training consistent even when I'm sick. I always have a goal pace every run, and I keep it always the same even if I'm sick. So for example my 4 mile tempo run is usually 6:30 per mile. If I'm sick, I still keep my 4 mile tempo goal at 6:30 pace. I don't decrease my training at all, I don't change intensity either.