Getting colds sure is a bummer! I mean I like to run, but I sure as hell don’t want my nose going on a marathon. Another thing that I hate is getting a sore throat and the constant coughing. To top it all off, I don’t get to run and train. The most I could do is probably lift weights, but according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), resting in bed is among the best treatment for the common cold.

I wonder where or how I got my cold. According to the NIAID, the common cold is caused by viruses and not really by abrupt weather changes. In fact, “there is no evidence that you can get a cold from exposure to cold weather or from getting chilled or overheated.” Initially, I thought that I got it from my trip to Los Baños or Tagaytay, but actually, I think I had it even before we left.

So just to play it safe, I’ve stayed away from anything cold. Instead of my fresh fruit shakes, I’ve been having herbal tea. Maybe I’ll take this time to rest and “recover” also from training. Hopefully, this will be gone so I can do well this Sunday.

Cold Treatment

There is no cure for the common cold, but you can get relief from your cold symptoms by

* Resting in bed
* Drinking plenty of fluids
* Gargling with warm salt water or using throat sprays or lozenges for a scratchy or sore throat
* Using petroleum jelly for a raw nose
* Taking aspirin or acetaminophen—Tylenol, for example—for headache or fever

[SOURCE: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases]