A cold, a cough and the Test

[henczel]

I've been training for the Test of Metal for a while and, as luck would have it, I came down with a brutal cold on Tuesday.
I'm hacking and coughing, runny nose, headache, the whole deal.
I was thinking of loading up with Red Bull and Sudafed and starting on Saturday, but was wondering if anyone else has ever raced while sick.
Will I do myself more harm (I'd hate to miss the Test, but I'd hate to have pneumonia all summer even worse)?

[LeeLau]

you'll be fine. Just pace yourself. The weather will be great - treat it as a fun ride and take it easy.

[heckler]

just don't eat any poo.

[onfirenobrakes]

I did a couple years ago and shut down at the top of ring creek rip and ended up in the first aid tent with minor hypothermia. Your body will tell you though

[onfirenobrakes]

I did a pre-ride last Monday in the rain because it was the only day I had - I'm sick as a dog today and I'm absolutely convinced it is a parasite that I picked up from the horse-poo in the mud - symptoms are consistent with Giardia. I'm super bummed - I'm out.

[brian]

2 years ago I started puking the Wednesday night before the race. Started feeling better on the Friday and wasn't going to do the race since i hadn't really eaten for 2 days but decide on Saturday morning to at least to the first half and take it from there. Started dead last in the queue and kept an nice pace and felt fine and the powerhouse so kept going . same pace. got some buddies on the 9 mile so the pace picked up a bit with a finish line sprint. ended up doing just under 3:50. moral of the story - keep a good pace and you should be fine.

[Lofft]

Can’t say I feel too badly for you. I was doing my last pre-race ride on Saturday and wiped out at the top of the Plunge. Ended up with a severely sprained ankle. Ughhhh! Good luck to everyone on Sunday.

[Spaz]

2 years ago I started puking the Wednesday night before the race. Started feeling better on the Friday and wasn't going to do the race since i hadn't really eaten for 2 days but decide on Saturday morning to at least to the first half and take it from there. Started dead last in the queue and kept an nice pace and felt fine and the powerhouse so kept going . same pace. got some buddies on the 9 mile so the pace picked up a bit with a finish line sprint. ended up doing just under 3:50. moral of the story - keep a good pace and you should be fine.

3:50 from the back of the pack!! Shit man, that is quick.

[derwood]

Just got back from watching the pack rip through alice lake.

Everyone was looking strong and with current trail conditions and weather,Im betting on a new course record this year.

A lot of 29er's and singlespeeds in the 1st half of the pack.....

[Dantes Inferno]

A lot of 29er's and singlespeeds in the 1st half of the pack.....

that woulda changed 1/4 up 9mile.

[shorelocal]

Winning time today was 2 hrs 31 mins by Max Plaxton. I believe that's a new record.

[mp_rider]

Tyler Alison 15 years old pulling the elite men along the roads!! he was top 8 untill he blew his drivechain up on the smoke bluffs!! He would have been under 2:40 for sure.................My test was hell, thats all i can say haha

[onfirenobrakes]

I've been training for the Test of Metal for a while and, as luck would have it, I came down with a brutal cold on Tuesday.
I'm hacking and coughing, runny nose, headache, the whole deal.
I was thinking of loading up with Red Bull and Sudafed and starting on Saturday, but was wondering if anyone else has ever raced while sick.
Will I do myself more harm (I'd hate to miss the Test, but I'd hate to have pneumonia all summer even worse)?

So How'd ya do anyway?