Cycling After Covid: The Risks & How To Get Back To Riding Safely
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- How does COVID-19 affect cyclists? Over the past year the virus has been one of the most researched diseases in medical history, and we are able to build great data sets about how it affects people, including fit and healthy cyclists. If you catch the virus can you make a full recovery from it and ride bikes again with no lasting affects? If you've had the virus you might already know, and be looking for the best way to recover. Si spoke to Dr Jon Greenwell who works with EF Pro Cycling to find out more.
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Have you been affected by the Coronavirus? How did you find your recovery? Let us know in the comments below.
This sounds odd, but Coronavirus forced me into teleworking. As a result I had time to focus on cycling around my work schedule, and have dramatically improved my fitness. I'm left with the belief that, like many forms of illness, my improvement in fitness has improved my immunity to Coronavirus. Since I'm surrounded by people who aren't very fit (typical office drudgery, bad diet from eating out, etc.) who have gotten COVID, cycling has very much helped me avoid COVID. Plus there's the benefits (psychological and physical) of being fit while dealing with the harsh realities of being in solitary from COVID.
I took up cycling because / thanks to covid and I'm racing Irish juniors now 👍
first ride out after was crap.
@@scottbert9556 of course now home working you are now less exposed to sources of any disease. So is this as a result or a by product of home working isolation or greater fitness. One does not necessarily lead to another.
@@scottbert9556 That doesn't match my experiences. Please be careful to not lull yourself into a false sense of security. While obesity is definitely a risk factor to be more severely affected by Covid, it can hit fit people just as well. I have two very fit friends, 40 and 35 years old, who weren't able to climb one set of chairs when they fell ill. Overweight me had mild symptoms only.
Si is such a genuinely likable guy. He did a great job representing us.
He is a top man
Note to mischief making gcn presenters: Pressing the dislike button twice on Cmac's comment only neutralises it.
Yes, one of my favorite gcn presenter.
@@gabmichael8546 do you believe in Santa, too?
i like si too but he has to tote the party line. its obvious
I contracted COVID-19 in hospital it seems, tested negative on admission but positive 3 days later. I was sent home to isolate, experienced a 39.5 fever and really bad aches and pains.
These have all but gone and all other symptoms as well 10 days after the positive test.
I have episodes of atrial fibrillation sporadically over the past years and do visit a cardiologist on an annual basis to keep an eye on things. He recommends the bike but not to go mad which is tough for anyone that loves being out on the bike.
I can see that the virus could affect all organs including the heart if the lower back pain I experienced was anything to go by, I was in a bad way.
I have no energy at the moment 12 days post testing so will be staying resting and recovering.
A few days more off the bike seems a small price for many more in the future.
Stay safe.
I'm 67, and have suffered from AF for about 3 years. I tested positive for Covid a few days ago, and I think I've been fairly lucky with symptoms, i.e. no breathing or taste & smell problems. Nor do I get any suspicious pain. However, it's left me feeling weak and tired, and I'm going to give it a good three or four weeks before venturing out again. Good luck with your recovery.
Really keep on top of a y symptoms of AF. My 72yo mother had it, which I wasn't aware of, although my sister who is a nurse did know. Despite constant pushing from my sister, my mother resisted going to the doctor. She had some blood clots from that were thrown out because of the AF and had a massive stroke, which she ultimately died of.
Thanks for sharing your personal experience. I hope the “it’s all a hoax” conspiracy theorists take note. May you continue to 100% recovery.
@@jameslinehan5807 That's a sad story, I'm so sorry. I did go to a cardiologist and when he told me I had to go on life-long blood thinners because of stroke risk, my ears pricked up. I took notice!
@@jameslinehan5807 sorry to hear that .... RIP
Almost 8mnths after Covid. Still struggling with symptoms. Only start cycling a week ago. Not easy.😷
Good luck with the road to recovery! Sorry to hear that.
take care.
I know what you are going thru. Took me 6 months to get back to riding. And 2 more to get Mack to 40 miles a week. Still not back to the 100miles per week I was doing pre-Covid.
oof.
Best wishes. I clearly got off lightly!
Here because I’m getting back into cycling after Covid. Would be great to have an updated video on this matter. Cheers
In short terms: Don't exersice too soon after a serious illness... Be patient!
After ANY serious illness and covid is not serious for 98% of the infected.
Get a grip ASAP
@@frutt5k yes, after any serious illness... and you are right. The absolute mayority don't get any serious effects by Covid-19. But if so, then you need to be very patient.
@@frutt5k there is serious and then there is SERIOUS.
Any respiratory or circulatory illness has the potential to cause complications long after the initial infection. Please don't downplay the potential.of Covid to bite you in the arse.
@@patrickgrounds2157 Keep lving in fear for nothing. It's your life. It's a new flu nothing else. Read the WHO papers.
I got on the bike yesterday for the first time since I contracted Covid 19 on 21.01.21 and was ready to go back this afternoon but noticed my heart rate was unusually high at 160/70 bpm at a moderate 20/30 km/ph. Following your advice I think I'm gonna keep resting instead.
Thanks to GCN for posting great relevant content once again.
Considerations for Return to Exercise Following Mild-to-Moderate
COVID-19 in the Recreational Athlete was a helpful read for me and provided some nice guidelines to follow. Good luck with your recovery
that happens when you take a few weeks off cycling.
No such thing
It takes a long time. I had it in Nov and just now approaching regular HRs. In my 50s - still a ways to go. Basically, it feels like my heart is one size too small now. I'm ok @ 140 BPM, but if I push over 150 bpm, my heart will ache afterward (never felt THAT before). a very fit, 40 yo friend says he's been this way since last March. It's a bastard.
@@baker2niner there is no IT. Truth matters. They're locking down the world based on an IT that doesn't exist.. because people think theres an IT (a disease called covid19 caused by a virus) they buy into the Lie and don't resist... IT is just normal sickness. Not caused by a virus.
My friend caught covid 19 and he's been in ICU for a good 3 weeks and sometimes critical, but thankfully he survived and even though the respiratory is a bit worse than before but thank God he's alive 🙏
Thats great news, my father was in ICU too and it's a miracle he survived. He's home now and doing well 🙏
That's brilliant news.
@@orlandofive Hope you don't have to lose someone to let go your ignorance!
@@taichihead42 pneumonia is one of the possible effects of covid.
@@orlandofive don't think that all governments would close down their countries for no reason at a extreme economic detriment.
Please do an updated vlog on this subject. Stellar work as always #GCN
It has taken 8 months to get to the point I can ride 40miles in a single ride. The first 5 months I couldn’t even ride 4 miles. COVID sucks! Still only doing about 60 miles per week down from 100+
It has taken me a year from developing symptoms in Feb 2020 to getting back to near normal fitness levels. I took it very slowly, getting stronger each week. It has been hard work.
I felt quite good after 10 quarantine and 10 recovery days and even took a first ride. I got worse thereafter (that can be just a coincidence, though), gradually I got more and more fatigued and brain-fogged and 6 weeks on I am at home for the third week, not knowing when and if I get better. So, yeah... give it time, guys!
@@taichihead42 Yeah. Had my blood, hearth, lungs and brain checked. Covid is not made up and frankly at this point it blows me away that someone would not see that. Have you had your eyes tested?
i've had exactly the same symptoms at the same temporality. 5 months after getting initially sick, i got back on my bike for a real ride and been working on my muscles. I still get tired sometimes but it doesn't last long and it isn't as intense as it used to be. chinese medicine has really worked for me...
Just to be curious, have doctors found anything abnormal on your tests ?
@@aminatah Hey, thanks for the info, it really gives me hope to hear about your recovery! Out of curiosity, have you been vaccinated? I have heard that many people get better after the vaccine jab and I had mine 3 days ago so I put my hopes in it.
To answer your question, all test were flawless, on paper I am perfectly healthy 🤷😄
@@MichalBrat I am looking forward to your updates. My wife and I tested positive for COVID 19. Tomorrow is 8 days since my sudden onset of symptoms. Work will let me telecommute for as long as I'd like but I am looking forward to getting back in the office because (a) my office is a perfect one hour cycling commute in with a shower and a private office and (b) I like my job. On Sunday I will pedal my velomobile 2 miles roundtrip at about 5 mph just to ease in. If that works then 4 miles roundtrip once per day around the block once to twice per day with an objective of training to get back to my 17 mile daily velomobile commute but at a leisurely pace (less than 10 mph) with at least one photograph posted to the GCN app every ride. Clearly my wife and I have canceled our 100 mile overland trip and will instead pedal leisurely on the 8 mile long rocky trail just 0.1 mile from our home.
@@MichalBrat I haven't been vaccined yet, i'm waiting to get all my tests done. The thing that really helped my body get better is traditional chinese medicine. i've been given some a plant based remedy and it really worked for me
So have you been feeling so far since you got the shot ?
Tested positive on 2nd Dec 2020. Only been out on the bike once since but have done a fair few 5km run (with no health related problems) to date. Fitness feels 'normal' like pre covid.
Test is meaningless
@@orlandofive OK Gary. 👍🏻
@@chi-sumhau2474 youre brainwashed
👍🏻
@@chi-sumhau2474 😜
I have had covid and now recovered im slowly getting back on the bike.
Initially i was extremely tired and couldnt even walk around the block. My sens of smell was affected and the tiredness seemed to be my only simtoms.
Ive started using my bike on the wahoo trainer with some trepidation after reading articles from JMC which recommend similar care as you have in your article. Im using Sufferfests Transition training plan as a starter which ive had to re start as i found i was getting very tired after only a few rides.
The step test at the begining of training showed that id dropped 50% of my original FTP. Im now three weeks from completing the traning and feeling a lot more confident that im ready for my next stage of training.
One thing i will take away from this is REST. I now realise that rest nd listening to you body is the key to recovery. Good luck to you all.
Have you tried scent retraining? I lost most of my sense of smell except for lemon. You do lemon, rose, eucalyptus, and clove, 10 seconds each. I bought the oils on Amazon. Most of my smell is back, except rose still smells like linen to me.
@@sleekoduck thanks for replying. I didnt loose my smell i had the permanent smell of rotting flesh, not nice. Thanks for the tip i had no idear you could retrain your smell.
No u didnt
Had my second dose of maderna yesterday and I’m definitely not in active shape today. Prayers to anyone that has Covid.
Nobody has it
@@orlandofive think you took a wrong turn there mate.
You’re looking for GCN -Gullible Conspiracy Network. Or maybe Global Covid Naysayers.
Just take a left into the rabbit hole. You’re welcome.
@@tonywilliams1532 another person with no ideas. Just lame insults
Why did you have a vaccine? Are you sick? it hasn’t been long enough for a vaccine to be tested properly?
@@tonywilliams1532 well he is not looking for you is he? So why comment then? I’m in Asia and we are laughing at the English with the drama of cold 19😂😂😂😂
Si! This was some proper journalism, making good sense of this platform. Thumbs up.
It was a proper gander.
I´ve been infected with covid and had rather intense symptoms for a 23 year old... I still suffer from being really short on breath while riding my bike just going to the shops and stuff, not even training... don´t underestimate covid guys!
shortness of breath is not that dramatic
No you didnt
@@JK-dv3qe it IS, when you compare it to the time before the infection, what is usually a few weeks ago. Have you ever felt ten years older within a few weeks? That's what corona feels likein my case.
@@JK-dv3qe of course its not but its been weeks since I've been infected and my symptoms were pretty mild to some older folks´
I primarily wanted to highlight taking covid seriously
@@orlandofive sure if you say so
I had COVID back in October and my symptoms seem to have been pretty consistent with other "mild" cases: sore throat, muscle weakness/achiness, heavey feeling in the chest, and shortness of breath. I was off the bike for a little more than two weeks then eased back in slowly. I ride roughly 200km a week now and I don't constantly feel any lingering effects; however, from time to time I get (what I have come to call) "COVID chest" which feels like my lung capacity is only operating at like 80%. It doesn't last very long, maybe 10-15 minutes, but it puts a damper on how hard I can go on the bike if it happens when I'm riding. Besides that I feel great.
Thanks for the video and keep up the good work.
i am 46 still testing positive, but first week was the hardest, my heart rate was crazy hight while resting in bed with mild fever and body aches, week 2 was extreme fatigue no fever no aches, its the end of week 3 now, i feel totally normal, been riding indoors with Zwift every other day, feels great to ride, basically a case of a mild flu, my wife got it from me and it hit her harder but she's recovered enough to start arguing with me so everything is back to normal.
Had C-19, noticed drastic drop in performance, lung capacity, much higher HR and general lack of strength. Once weather improves, I'll most likely go out for a ride more often so I expect to make a full recovery sooner rather than later
Is that the first time you've ever been sick in your life there's no such thing as c19
@@Rj-hu2fi i could post evidence and I have multiple times but the censors keep deleting the truth as it does not fit their agenda.
I've been infected with covid in November 2020. I had 7500km in 2020 and it my rides went to zero for eight weeks. Eight weeks after my infection I started again with slow and short rides. I had no power to start earlier. Since the restart I rode 400km, but I am far away from my old level. 60-80km rides with 25-30kmh were no problem before corona, right now everything I can do is 30-40km rides with max 25-26kmh. It's hard to be blown away from my strenght and condition within a few weeks, but I'm glad, that I can ride again. Stay health, guys!
how do you know you were infected
@@orlandofive We had symptoms (weired and unusal sore throat pain) and both, my wife and me, were tested positive with PCR tests. After a few days we lost our taste and weren't able to smell anything. Never had something like this before. It was clearly different to a flu and getting fit again took much more time than usual.
@@broadcast2k9 okay well the thing is there's nothing specific symptom wise for the alleged covid disease and the test is just not accurate so it's a big scam from top to bottom
I took it bad and genuinely didn't think I was going to make it..I know that sounds dramatic. I'm getting stronger every day but I don't intend to start exercise again until the temperature rises. I want to get back on my bike so bad but with current low temperatures it's too dangerous to go out.
Sounds like my experience. No cycling outside until at least March, I think, and only gentle turbo work until then.
@@matthewlewis2072 crazy times indeed, I was guilty of being a bit cynical and aube didn't take it as serious as I should.
Same here. Take your time and listen to your body! Good luck!
Sounds like the flu, heard that’s disappeared
Wee update, back out on the roads for a few weeks now. Just bopped in a nice 30miles and a decent pace. Getting stronger every day but somedays it's a real struggle to breath.
I had have covid and didnt had any symtom at all i was able to train on the indoor trainer trou the isolation and my ftp went up slightly in the time of infection
You must be a conspiracy theorist because wen ALL know, that COVID19 is deadlier than everything that ever happend to mankind...
That's what is so frustrating about the disease. Some people have no symptoms, yet 1/2 million Americans are dead-plus so many more abroad.
There was a few covid infections with symptoms in my training group. Probably more without symptoms. Everybody came back to normal activity like after any other seasonal infection.
When I got ill I was pushing 4.47 watts/kg after doing structured work for 9 months straight. I had myocarditis and had several tests. EKG, seven day heart event monitor, blood work, several trips to the cardiologist, then a stress test with an ultra sound before and after the stress test. After almost 5 weeks I was finally cleared for exercise. But, my body wasn't ready. I was having shortness of breath horribly. I went to the doc again and did a spirometer test. I didn't do well. My lung function tested 10 years older than my actual age. We did a chest x ray and didn't find anything, so I was told to get back to exercise and start pushing it. I did. I immediately did an ftp test and found that my ftp had dropped 54 points! Huge bummer. All that work I did was gone. So, I went back to my structure, riding indoor only 4-6 days per week. Now, 6 months later, I am pleased to say that I am testing exactly where I was just before I got sick. So, to be clear, six months of structured work, all indoor, and I am just now where I WAS. Glad to be back! Stay safe!
Good info. Thanks. What was your recovery regime? All Z2 Z3? or other? Where did you have to back off, if anywhere?
@@eddiefast2125 Great questions. I started with a low volume sweet spot program. I purposely lowered my known ftp an extra 15 watts and completed the entire six week program. My thought behind this, was I didn't want to chance pushing the heart rate too hard since it had taken quite a beating during the illness. Once I made it through that program, I started back up as usual. I was very concious of not doing too much volume in order to minimize inflammation in my body. I hope this helps!
I used to be an International 800m track runner who now uses cycling as a way of keeping very fit and for commuting.
I had Covid 19 from the 2nd of January this year and it was the worst illness I have ever had.
After a week of free symptoms I started commuting again a couple of times a week. Last weekend I had a fairly hard ride on Zwift.
This week I started suffering from Atrial Fibrillation quite badly lasting over 5 hours on Thursday evening.
This video has really settled my nerves regarding this as I believe that I am Immortal. 🤣👍👍
I know the feeling I'm an ex international swimmer and covid messed me up. I'm asthmatic anyways so it wasn't fun :')
Slowly getting back into cycling but it's taking me 6 weeks so far
@@supernoodles908 Hope you get to were you want to be soon.🙂
I had COVID and was very sick. It took at least 3 weeks before I could even take a slow walk around my garden. I built back slowly, and now I can say that I am back up to full speed with no lasting effects. Thanks for the great videos!
I had Covid last year. January 21st i picked it up from a patient i triaged (I'm a nurse). She had just flown back from China.
It totally wiped me out, I've been fit all my life but i couldn't get up the stairs without panting.
I went for a short MTB ride of about 22miles on February 14th and i was absolutely corpsed.
Due to lockdown i continued to ride my bike to work (8.4 miles) for the next 3 months and my strava times got better but it's only bee in the last 2 months that I've felt my usual energy levels coming back.
Take care out there xxx
i just tested positive - the perspective about the 10 days of mild torture really hit home to me. Will rest up and hit it hard in the new year.
Just subscribed to GCN+ i was thinking about it and then realised I love the gcn channel presenters and decided its actually the least I could do. I've been given hours of free entertainment and learnt alot. So here's to an exciting future gcn!
Thanks, this means a lot and we really appreciate it!
@@gcn not as much as I appreciate seeing hank cycling the tour on a 100 year old bike and then the documentary of mark beaumonts around the world in 80 days, how he cycled that many miles a day is absolutely incredible... I'd have paid just to see these two shows, let alone all of the other content. Thanks for replying and thanks for being an awesome cycling network
@@taichihead42 grow up
A depressing, somewhat reassuring and absolutely necessary video. Thank you for this.
I have not had COVID-19 and in my region, I am about 2 months away from being eligible to get vaccinated. A started wearing a heart rate monitor on my rides in December and January (February has been brutal with respect to weather, so no rides this month), and what I saw was that I push myself really hard when I ride. As a result, I've put myself into quarantine as much as is reasonably possible. It sucks, but I've made it this far through the pandemic without getting COVID-19 and I'd rather not lose the race when the finish line is in sight -- a small compromise for a lifetime of joy on my bike is worth it.
Thanks so much for this valuable info. I was diagnosed with covid about a week ago. Lost smell and felt very congested. Never had fever but shivers. Hopefully after those 10 days I won't feel fatigued. All the best to everyone who has been through this and may you have many biking miles ahead
Thanks for this video. Its been almost a year since I developed Covid and my breathing is still not what it was. I also had 6 months of very strange neurological issues (inability to read rows of numbers for example) which have now cleared up. I'm still riding, but some days its exhausting. I'm glad you guys made this video, and have contributed with science and data to the subject, at a time when some people are still spreading disinformation about the illness.
First, thank you so so much for this video. I had COVID, confirmed by an antibody test, and back on the bike struggle for breath. I took about a week off, am probably now paying the price. My lung capacity/max flow has remained the same, but ability to get air in and convert it to oxygen doesn’t work as before. Breathing is all over the place, and my Garmin says I am in recovery most of the time. Will definitely talk to my GP, hopefully they will be sympathetic to a rider/runner.
When I had the vaccine, I knocked me out for a week. Tip. Don't go on long rides, I had to get picked up half way through my normal 35 mile ride. I had no breath to get up the hills.
Just to be clear, the vaccine knocked you out, not the virus?
@@aaronpostlethwaite8449 flu symptoms and lack of energy
@@aaronpostlethwaite8449 Knocked me out yesterday the day after my first vaccine dose. Didn't have the energy to do anything, feverish and muscle aches all over. Back to normal today fortunately. Seems to be the same for almost everyone who had the latest batch. Must be a volatile one. Put even the toughest men in bed for a day. Shouldn't last more than 48hrs though.
Log this stuff the ZOE symptom study app, they are trying to get a population size data set on the side effects and effectiveness of each vaccine.
@@armadillito The Yellow card app looks more appropriate as we don't have Covid19 itself. I filled in a side effects report yesterday on the website but just found the app.
I had covod in January, and it was relatively rough but many have been worse off. I'm an 'ex' athlete, so assumed my recovery would be fine. They're treating it as 'long covid' and as of right now I'm experiencing some liver damage as a result, and about 15 different symptoms that are persisting 7 weeks in.
I was told to rest up, but had to do some exercise and so I managed to do 12km on the bike today, but it was a battle. Hills were a real struggle, as was top gear. My body just didn’t have the strength, nor the energy. Haven’t exercised for a while due to being ill. This is no joke, but a very informative video. Well done Si 🤙b
I had a moderate case and was a bit difficult to get back. I rode a few miles after 2 weeks of not having any symptoms. Went for a longer one after the doctor's ok. It's like starting over, but don't give up, you will get there eventually
No you didnt
Dude, get some rest! When I had it in December, I listened to the doctors first and foremost. Lots of sleep. I have co-morbidities, so I was already taking steroids for asthma and had access to a nebulizer, which I used often. I took Metamucil to prevent diarrhea and dehydration proactively. I lived on soup and green tea. When I recovered, I started a regimen of resistance band PT and scent retraining (lemon, rose, eucalyptus, and clove). I'm ready to get back to cycling and I can smell normally again now in February. It's hard to be patient, but you have to be. I've been checked, no long covid - that's when you get long term tissue damage in your organs. Good luck and have a speedy recovery!
U didnt have covid because it doesn't exist
hi, I had Covid in October and as of today, I'm still breathless with a cough, fatigue, good days, and bad been confirmed as long covid now have inhalers to help which they do. I have been trying to ride my bike starting at 20k up to 60k on the flat which is hard around here legs feel good taking it steadily things I have done is flip my stem to raise my bars so I'm more able to breath better which seems to work. now in a long Covid study experiment. and making good progress onwards and upwards.
How about an update. This was at my reading 8 months ago. Since you wre/are in a formal study the findings and your subjective report would be interesting/of value. Thanks.
Great video Si thank you. I had covid at the beginning of November. Was very ill for about two weeks with fever, headaches and a chesty cough as well as all of the aches and pains associated with the flu. I was off the bike for about 6 weeks. I started again slowly but did struggle with breathing and heart rate for about three weeks even taking it very easy. Four months on i would say that I have almost recovered but still not still not doing the 10/11 hours a week training i was when i contracted the disease. Recovery from rides is slower and I cant get my HR within 10 bpm of my max when doing intervals! My advice would be just take it easy and not be too hard on yourself, give yourselves plenty of time to recover properly, the road isn't going anywhere!
Proper grown up stuff from GCN. Excellent feature, thanks.
I had it a mild case but I have found that there have been some other lasting effects after recovery such as dizziness light headaches but they subsided over time. I did take 2 weeks of from I door cycling found I didn't have the wind right away. Just started back my training this week monitoring my breathing heartbeat cadence etc. So far so good. Thanks you all for all that you do.
Si (and GCN), I cannot express what an important message this is you are sending out. Having suffered from a virus, unbeknown to me, a few years back, I can attest to the risk of exercising hard when your body has not recovered from a coronavirus or similar. I cannot echo enough the point made at the end of just staying off the bike for 10 days after symptoms have disappeared - it’s impossible to downplay the difficulty of staying off the bike for so long, especially during lockdown, but the potential problems that can occur if you don’t just aren’t worth the risk. Trust me! Thank you for this GCN, will share as far and wide as possible.
I tested positive, 10 days later (first day of freedom after isolation) i went back out on the bike and did 12 miles. Felt absolutely fine, I guess I was extremely fortunate to be fit, young and healthy and not get it badly
Same here. Many others are not so lucky.
Thank you GCN and Si for very informative information on Covid Cycling. Si, this quality presentation is worthy to be on BBC, Amazon Prime, Netflix and of course GCN Doco's🌟
Si: "some cyclists experience debilitating fatigue "
*cuts to shot of Oli*
#neverstoproasting
I was wondering if anyone noticed and if Ollie has seen this video.
Got covid in December. An older guy at 62 years. Has taken a month and half to get somewhere near recovered. On the bike again but it’s a struggle some days. Weather doesn’t help lol
No you didn't because it doesn't exist
@@orlandofive yes you are right. I wasn’t Ill my wife didn’t go to hospital and wasn’t on oxygen because she could couldn’t breath. I didn’t spend nights by the phone worrying myself sick that she was alone and terrified and there was nothing I could do about it. I can only suppose you have not had this traumatic experience and I sincerely hope you don’t get it but if you do, you will be thankful for the people who will look after you as they did my wife. It’s very real. Good luck.
@@vincekempster3020 WHAT WAS THE evidence that the CAUSE OF SICKNESS was a virus! no emotional outbursts. facts. People never got sick before 2019? (note- people get sick because of toxemia mostly, not because of viruses)
@@sockdoper I gathered as much, but I thank you for the heads up.
I have asthma, epilepsy and high blood pressure, which are all currently stable due to medication I am terrified of getting covid and have been really restricting the amount I've been going out. I am signed up to a Spokes coach, mainly to keep pushing me to get on my bike on Zwift. We're not really aiming for massive strength gains, but it's just to keep my fitness and motivation up. It's £55/month, so not too bad in terms of cost and if you can afford it and have lost your motivation, I feel it is worth the cost.
EDIT: I meant to add that it seems likely that I will be in the next lot of people to be vaccinated, so I'm really looking forward to that.
I've got my first vaccine jab next Wednesday, so really looking forward to that :-)
Thank you for a very informative film, on a very serious subject. Great work
Currently, due to snow situation in Poland it's 7 days for me without a bike. I'm going crazy and extremely grumpy :(
As for Covid, my friend had it and complains about weird symptoms recently, like waking up in the middle of the night with elevated pulse and higher pressure than usual. He had all of the heart checks and there's no damage to the heart so yea, it's all weird. Trying to calm him down when we ride together so he can transition into a better state of mind.
I had it back in February of last year. I had 3 days of heavy coughs and it lingered for 2 weeks before all symptoms went away. However, I've noticed a higher than normal heart rate and I've been woken up in the middle of the night with an elevated heart rate and heart palpitations. I get weird chest pains and back aches occasionally too. I also suffer from the olfactory issues almost daily with the "burning toast/sulfur" scents no matter where I'm at.
Can we sue the Chinese government and W.H.O. for the coverup???
Good luck, it's been 2 months without riding since i got the covid in december. Feeling very depressed without cycling :(
What snow situation in Poland? I did a 113 km ride like 3 days ago and I'm goig to do over 150 km tomorrow....
To Ywoj kolaga cierpi na kowidoze
@@Motorep146 Best of health to you! I hope you get better ASAP!
I am going through it now, i had a lot of fever, body aching and tiredness 😩. I don't know from where I got it but recovering at home. After this video although I do not wish I would spent couple more days without cycling. I am nearly 58yrs old and should be more aware about my health. Thanks
You should do an update. A lot more has been learned. It seems like the most important thing is to REST and not get back to activity for as long as possible to help avoid long covid
Thank you so much, I was searching exactly this content as I am now trying to recover from Covid. So once again Thanks
I have Covid at the moment and have been looking at stuff to set my expectations once I'm "in the clear". This is a really good video. Is there a more up to date one?
Thanks team for this video! It helped answer some of my questions that I couldn't find awnsers I found reliable. I gave myself 14 days of rest, monitoring my resting heart rate then started with zwift rides not exceeding 135bpm to monitor my heart rate as I went and slowly, slowly built from there. Through the whole process I also monitored my spo2 levels, and feel like I'm back to where I was, plus seeing the data everyday gave me some peace of mind.
This video and all of the information in it is fantastic! Funny enough, I was diagnosed with pericarditis and myocarditis in October 2019 (just before all of this) - only testing positive for the common cold! Had pain while breathing and my RHR was up above 110 before going to the hospital (usually in the 50-60 range...). As a result, I was forced to shut down all endurance activity for 6 months (luckily, it was during the winter). Intervention with medicine, rest and positive results with followup scans has resulted in my heart recovering well and I've even done 650 miles since discovering Zwift in mid-December 2020! I also completely cut out alcohol as it could only hurt my recovery and to be honest, I don't miss it!
It is long known that common flu can cause the inflammation of the heart muscle. And the recommendations were actually more or less the same as for Covid. I am not sure about the common cold as it is also a virus. World be a much safer place without viruses, the aliens.
Had it in August... took me ages to get over the fatigue symptoms. I only managered to get on top of it this year. In some ways I thinking cycling helped. I obviously listen to my body and started riding again about 14 days after my symptoms ( was about 24 days since initial infection) and as I slowly built my fitness back did I notice my fatigue, just during the day reduce.
I have missed this video, thank you gcn! I just had Covid, nothing too hard on me but hard enough to lower my ftp by about 20 watts and making me feel trash after every ride!! Thank you Si and Gcn, now I know that it might be better to take a pause from Zwift and cycling. Thank you!
I'd be interested in how well people recovered from COVID after being vaccinated. And also if the Omicron variant makes a difference to people's recovery.
GCN has been pumping out 🔥 videos lately! Thank you for the entertainment and public service announcements!
@gcn
Would love to see a new video on this topic, now that we have an additional year’s worth of data and research
A very good effort and analysis. I just stuck for last 5 days with covid without cycling and still showing positive while wondering when I could restart my cycling found very useful. You answered all my concerns with good explanations.
@Thurai, It's been 5-days for me as well since I got covid, and I am also dying to go cycling. Keep in mind that your tests will continue showing covid-positive for months, even after symptoms have disappeared. So, perhaps for you and I, as this video suggests it might be best to start cycling after the number of days indicated in this video. Cheers.
I've possibly had covid twice (extremely mild symptoms the first time in March and the only hint I had when my whole family got it over Christmas was my HR on the bike was a bit higher than usual) but amazingly my immune system has been bombproof and my fitness barely took a hit.
Did you get tested? Otherwise you might have nothing but a common cold or mild flu
@@mbal4052 No on both occasions (never got listed symptomsso couldn't), but for the first time I had been stuffed in a car three days beforehand with someone who tested positive 48 hours later, and the second time my whole family tested positive. So I think there's a strong possibility I've had it
how quickly did you get back to training?
I got this shit during mid june and I've been free for a week now, but my cardio levels truly went to shit. also, I haven't shit in a whole day.
If anyone is suffering from a tight chest or a persistent cough, I personally found the power breathe to be a game changer. Within a couple weeks of using it, my chest opened up and I even felt better than before.
Really interesting, I am just out of my ten days self isolating following a positive test. First few days just aches and a cough but the second half was horrific and my breathing became a issue. I do have asthma and have now been left with a shortness of breath just going to the loo and I have a chest pain similar to what I have after a asthma attack. Doc has doubled my inhaler intake and antibiotics for the crap on my chest. I think if it continues I would very much consider speaking to my gp again.
That sounds nasty! Good luck with the recovery.
@@gcn Thankyou, the good thing is I am use to recovering slowly from the rare occasions I have had severe asthma attacks. More gutted that I had my best January in years albeit all on zwift and now I am in a worse training/health situation.
I am similar, asthma etc. Diagnosis mid-Dec, full suite of symptoms, three lots of antibiotics/steroids plus two months off work and I am probably still only 80-90%.
Take it easy, stay safe.
@@matthewlewis2072 Sounds like you have really been through it, I hope that I dont have to go back on steroids but had them in the past due to the asthma. Hope you get back to 100%
The test is meaningless there for you didn't have covid
Tested positive 20th December. Had mild symptoms followed by a chest infection leaving me struggling to walk up the stairs. Gave myself 2 weeks rest before starting exercise again. I seem to be doing OK now stepping up my training slowly.
Got COVID in November. Had most symptoms but no GI symtoms and I didn't require hospitalisation. Was off work for 4 weeks and took 7 weeks off the bike. Got back on the bike around Christmas, gradually increasing time/distance on the bike. Mid January I did my first zwift race post COVID, developed chest pain/tightness with SOB and coughing. Coughing settled down around a hour later. It happened again last night. Nearly like an asthma attack, I don't have a history of asthma. The air temps were low (around 1 or 2 degrees celsius) on both occasions but I've cycled through previous winters and nothing like this has ever happened me before. Thinking it may be COVID related but going to check with GP on Monday.
For last 3 days I’ve been looking for some reliable informations about it and finally I’ve got it!!! Big thank you for that video!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏
I am 51, had COVID last October. Very mild symptoms, body aches, sore throat and loss of taste and smell. Thank God no SOB or cardiorespiratory symptoms. Felt bad about 2 days then all resolved. I have not had any long term symptoms and did a lot of hunting in November without any physical limitations. I pray that is also the case when the weather breaks and I get back on my road and gravel bikes this spring.
During infection: track your symptoms, including pulse ox, fever duration, cough, respiratory rate, resting HR, psychological readiness to return to sport. After recovery: ask your doc about the latest RTP (return to play) guidance and then BE PERSISTENT to get your cardiac and pulmonary screening. Think of recovery timelines more like breaking a bone than catching a cold (i.e. 6 weeks rather than 6 days).
I tested positive for covid on 5Th Feb 2021, with very mild symptoms. After 11 days of quarantine, I got back on the bike on the 22nd February with a very easy ride. Just 3 Km and a very easy speed. Then with one rest day after each ride I increase the distance and speed, 20 Km, 30 km and 50 km on the 28th Feb.
I always pay close attention to my breathing and heart rate and how I fee after each ride.
So far everything seems to be fine.
Thanks for ghe insight GCN
GCN does science and Si's forgotten his glasses.
I am late 50's and tested positive for Covid 19 in November 2020. I only had mild cold-like symptoms. I underwent the 10 days isolation and limited any home exercise to stretching. I felt relieved to have been unscathed from the infection but since returning to commuter riding (10 miles a day) and weekend leisure riding (usually 2 x 25-30 milers) I have felt more lung burn than I was used to getting and generally less aerobically fit. I have kept exercising but avoid any extreme workout and gradually seems to be getting better. I would say take small steps to build back and listen to your body rather than following any specific timetable.
Hi Si and the team@gcn!
Very nice video, as ever. As a cycling MD, and just out my 10 days, I had time to read up on some new data.I contacted some team docs I know, and they still advice pretty much the same points still. What I can't find is the effect of being vaccinated( I had 3 shots as healthcare professional). I had a quick recovery and I'm now training on the Canaria islands!
Good luck all, take care and thank you gcn!
A had a mild dose but struggled with the aftermath - dizziness and fatigue. Obviously dizziness and cycling aren't a great combination so I waited until that passed. Building back up very slowly and ok up to now. Positive test 6th Jan.
It’s almost reassuring reading some of these comments with such similar stories. I had suspected covid in mid March 2020. No testing available outside hospital and I wasn’t admitted. A rough few days of choking and temperature, followed by 9 months of chronic fatigue.
Just started feeling like I have the energy to ride again and starting to push 50-60k a week. Was previously getting at least 100k a week in just cycling to work.
Long way to go get but it’s comforting to read of so many others making good progress. Ride on 🤟🏻
A little chat with Alex Dowsett would be fine... He suffered a Covid-19 infection with mild symptoms few months ago.
Mild symptoms aren't really the issue, as it's pretty standard recovery stuff. It's the more serious cases where the challenges really lie.
For sure mild symptoms aren't a problem, when you're doing the right thing. Wait around 7 to 10 days after the symptoms are gone and then you can start with light excersing. You need to use a heartrate monitor. And when heartrate is normal you don't need to take further action. But if not, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.
But if you suffer a pneumonia then you need to recover around 6 months or more. Even when if it wasen't because of covid.
Interesting, but can you explore how to get back after long covid especially with post exertion fatigue ?
I don't have long covid, but my dietitian had me start out with resistance bands after I recovered from covid-19. It was hard, but I did get my strength up in a few weeks. The first few days, I would get winded just going up and down the stairs. I can handle 8k steps just fine now, I haven't done the bike because of the weather yet, but I'm sure I could handle it.
This happened to me. See all the UA-cam videos by Gez medinger. He has done loads of research on this. I followed his advice and got much better.
5 weeks on from a positive Covid test. Hospitalized for about a week. Fuzzy headed and very fatigued. Fortunate to have been able to do a very gentle spin on Zwift on Sunday, just to loosen up a bit as have been inactive for so long, but have decided to leave the bike alone until at least March, see how I feel. Stay strong people. We can bet this.
Hope the the GCN staff are staying safe and well.
For all you out there who are stressed cos you did it wrong. I DID IT WRONG!!! Had mild symptoms if what not at all. Did turbo session during my 10 days out of isolation. Its given me longer lasting symptoms ie cough and breathlessness. Having my 10 days off now feeling better everyday. However I am extremely worried after watching this video
Part 1. I most likely had it in March before widespread testing was available. My first indication something was wrong was a sudden 100% blockage of the left anterior descending artery which is the most critical artery in the heart and is known as the “widow maker”.
I was in excellent condition at the time and was planning on doing my first race of the year the following weekend. I even asked the doctor in the operating room if I would be able to race on the weekend not realizing how close I was to death. Doctors inserted a stent and got the blood flowing again within less than an hour of the original onset.
I did not think I had any symptoms at the time but, in retrospect, I had mild forms of most of them and even got Covid toe a few weeks later.
One of the critical measures of heart function is the ejection fraction. The normal range is 50 to 60%. I had previous tests indicating my baseline ejection fraction was 55%. Immediately post-heart attack it fell to 47% which shows there was heart damage, as would be expected with a 100% LAD heart attack. However, I was lucky because I understand many people have their ejection fraction fall to the 30s or even lower. I don’t know if this is true, but I think my fitness from riding probably saved my life and kept my heart damage to a minimum.
I was discharged from the hospital on March 13th just as the lockdown was starting. Because of the lockdown, I could not go to cardiac rehab and was given the okay by the surgeon to start riding the trainer 10:days after discharge as long as I stayed below 110 bpm which he authored me to increase to 120 bpm after a week or so.
Hi, I got vaccinated and 2 month later got positive for COVID-19. Do you have any updates about the rest period ?
After COVID I found that for 3 months afterwards that I had to start from scratch with my physical fitness. I had a lot of lingering symptoms such as post-viral cough, headaches, lethargy, arrhythmias. I found that I couldn't walk a mile without my heart racing but after persisting with it, it resolved.
I bought a bike when my holiday was cancelled and I found sticking to a sensible exercise regime, I recovered physically after 3 months but mentally took much longer. Physical rehabilitation was better when I had access to a pool and a gym.
Started showing symptoms 13 June 2021. Got full blown COVID sickness the following day. Was showing all the heavy symptoms (except life threatening symptoms) for the week of 14 to 20 June. Started feeling better, basically symptom-less, from 20 June. Will start training again Z2 from 1 July.
Thank you for the video.
GCNs videos on these important subjects are their best. This, the mental health and men’s health videos are top quality and very important for people to hear.
I had COVID in March (very strongly suspected) and it wiped me out for weeks after. To the point that a walk around the park would leave me struggling even a few weeks later. The state I was in at my lowest spurred me on to take my fitness (and general health) more seriously. I really took baby steps to get back into cycling: starting slow, short rides and gradually building from there, increasing distance, speed and gradient. To the point I can comfortably say 2020 was the fittest year I've had of my 30-odd years on earth. I've had a few long COVID symptoms but they've been super mild and don't seem to have affected my ability in the saddle. My own (highly non-professional) advice would be similar to as in the video. Don't push yourself too soon and ease back in if it's a struggle.
I had Covid twice and developed the cardiac issues described above. Despite wearing a mask and social distancing I got in Feb, and then again in October.
During the first round of Covid I developed pretty painful and intense pericarditis. Knocked me on my ass and was bedridden for a bit and all that. Went and saw a cardiologist who said similar advice - in my case, take a month off completely and then reintroduce exercise. The problem was, once I started reintroducing exercise, the pericarditis came roaring back. This re-inflammation, recover, try to exercise pattern went on for quite some time until the doc basically said "right, you're not allowed to get your heart rate above 70% your max HR for the next 3 months". The thought behind it being that over-use will trigger the inflammation again, similar to anyone who's had similar issues with inflammation in joints, etc.
That was a real kick in the teeth. What do you do with 70% HR for 3 months? I'm a fit guy and I love to run/cycle fast and the idea of going at a snail's pace was a huge disappointment. I asked the Doc if there was a time limit for how long I could exercise, and his advice was "Doesn't matter how long you go out for, just don't break that HR limit."
So I needed something to train for. Truth be told I've always been a garbage endurance athlete. Never could run/cycle very far, but I looked at this as a chance to try and change that. So, boring as it was at first, I started training SLOW and long days, gradually going from 1hr/day to 3hr/weekdays and 7hr/weekends. The first few months were tedious, but I gradually started to enjoy these long low-intensity days out, and my distance ability skyrocketed. By mid-summer, 30km runs and 120km cycles (always been a better runner than cyclist) felt super normal and easy.
I had started throwing in some swimming to give the legs a break, and with all the mileage I was having to rotate sports throughout the week to keep the impact down. Anyways, by the end of my 3 month heart-rate probation, I was exercising about 20 hours a week, and with the sport rotation it turns out I'd been accidentally training for an Ironman....
So in the beginning of Sept, 7 months after Covid, I went out alone and did my first Ironman. No official event, just designed the course on my computer, left my flat early one Saturday morning, and crushed it. Was it fast? No. But by being forced to do long, low-intensity training for the better half of a year I was finally able to do the kind of distance/event that would have seemed impossible before I had Covid.
I suppose the moral of the story is listen to your body, listen to your doctor, and if you're forced to take time off take it seriously and don't screw around like I did in the beginning and set yourself back for even longer. Covid is shite, and we're the lucky ones not hospitalized or on ventilators. If it's possible, despite how grim things are right now, look at it as a challenge and opportunity to see how you can do a different kind of training or even a new hobby.
Oh and as for Covid #2 in Oct. I completely lost my smell and taste. 3 months later it still hasn't come back.
Stay safe everyone.
I was infected on 1/16/21 isolated until the 26th . First easy ride indoors ( New Jersey US weather) on the 31th . only four rides until today. Also doing yoga and breathing exercises.
Sense of smell still affected and some cough here and there.
after seeing this video I will definitely ask my doctor to check my blood.
Thank You guys for putting this video together. As you say there Cheers!!
how does a person know they are infected? because there's no accurate test .
I got the second Moderna shot yesterday, and I don't understand how anyone who is experiencing the typical symptoms can even think about exercising. I'm holed up in my bed right now with a slight fever, chills, etc. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to ride in the -22°C (-8°F) weather, but for now it's obvious that I need bed rest
@@forteus101 can i ask why you say vaccines are untested and doesn't stop catch or spread, when according to all serious available science they do stop catch and spread?
not looking for arguement or anything just really curious
I got COVID at the end of December, I stayed off bike for 4 weeks (approx) and came back slowly and mostly indoor. I managed to have an ecg and 24 holter as I have high HR in Normal moments.. I have a visit with the cardiologist on Monday (finger 🤞)
Nope
Hope everything went well?
Right now I'm to young(64) and in to good of health to get vaccinated right now, also I'm retired. I'm hoping as the roll out ramps up I'll get my shot before turning 65 in 4 months.
I had covid and was hospitalized for 7 days for shortness of breath last November. Until now, I have not fully recovered! I get tired easily but slowly now, I'm regaining my stamina . Most importantly, I have to strictly observe my heart reactions when training. Started training again from 5km and slowly going further. Tomorrow it will be my first +80km ride with my biker buddies.
Hello Si! I´m from Portugal and to this day, i'm fortune enough to say that I've never got infected with covid-19. Wife and daughter, my mother, my sister, my mother in-law, aunt, uncle and cousin from my wife's side, her brother... My closest friends and family... No one to this day had corona virus... Very fortune and grateful for that... Stay safe, stay home, keep fighting!
One more thing... Thanks for GCN+
Big hug
Stay safe Vasco - big hug to you too 🤗
Had what we believe to have been C19 in March 2020 there were no tests at the time, my Mrs had it at the same time. She's NHS, when the tests come out many of her colleagues who had positive tests had all the same symptoms. We're training, walking and cycling nothing major. Just keeping our hands in. I don't mind saying I was and still am frightened stiff, we fortunately didn't need admitting to hospital. But the after affects are still considerable, both physically with tightness of chest periodically and more so mentally, with anxiety and even episodes of depression. Horrible experience, but I'm mindful that we're much more fortunate than many other families. My heart goes out to all effected by this. Thanks GCN for broaching this. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Plus side roll on GCN+ 😁
Thanks for your comment, we hope you can get back into training and that you don't have any ongoing symptoms or side effects!
Here in the Philippines a vice Mayor of one of our province died of heart attack after biking for 30 kms(18 miles) last May 2021. He previously had covid and after he recovered and cleared he went back to biking. He is known to be healthy and athletic person before he got covid.
Took off nearly 20 days this past September due to the smoke from wildfires. You can most certainly take 10 days after any respiratory illness to make sure you come back strong.
This is a great video. I've just had covid and it has given me some info to work with, ten days rest is nothing in the long run. Are there any updates to the advice a year on from this video, possibly with regards to long covid and the newer strains? Thanks for the excellent work GCN!
Had Covid back in October with little to no symptoms, eased back into the cycling as I noticed my HR was higher. Had some chest pain so saw the dr, they sent me to hospital where I was in for 2 days with high heart enzyme levels, but an ok ecg and echo. Almost 3 months on and heart enzyme levels still aren’t normal so waiting for a cardiac MRI. Take the 10 days!!
My friend had covid and it shattered his fitness
Was that the first time he was ever sick in his life?