Bones McCoy, where the hell are ya?!
Yep, believe it or not, I’m sick again — gradually getting better, but sick nonetheless with yet another cold. My entire life I’ve gotten frequent upper respiratory infections. I guess it’s just my personal physical weakness and I haven’t let it sidetrack me for too long, but here we go again.
TRAINING DIARY FROM THE PAST WEEK:
Saturday 6/9/12
After a suddent sneezing fit yesterday, my left nostril began to burn in that familiar fashion that always heralds the onset of a respiratory bug. But that couldn’t be, I thought. I hadn’t treated a sick patient in well over a week, was as careful as usual about handwashing, and didn’t think I had been overtraining to thus weaken my immune system. Regardless, there it all was this morning: stuffy nose, raw throat, fatigue and achiness. Feh! The day had originally called for a 12 mile training run, but with the weather forecasting a very hot and windy day combined with the way I felt, I moved that workout forward to Tuesday, June 12, which would hopefully find me feeling better on a cooler day. Instead I spent 45 minutes easy running followed by 45 minutes on the bike. Then I went into the City to hang out with a friend, ate a lot of meat and drank too much beer. That part was fun.
Sunday 6/10/12
A much-needed rest day after my Bacchanalian blowout.
Monday 6/11/12
A sick day. A snot-slinging, glazed-eye, stuffy headed sick day. Phooey.
Tuesday 6/12/12
Still sick. But I had to do something….anything. So after sulking for about an hour, I looked back over my training blog for the year of my first half-marathon in December 2009 (which was my best-timed half marathon as it was just before the stress-eating and weight gain that started when my life went cuckoo). I never ran more than 10 miles when training for that race either. My long run plans were derailed by snowy weather — because it was a winter race and back then that stuff bothered me — yet I did better than I’ve done since. So I made myself a big bowl of what I call “decadent oatmeal”, 1 and ½ portions of thick cut oats with butter, brown sugar, walnuts and Silk soy creamer, and washed it down with 16 ounces of water. Then I dressed, laced up the running shoes, and set out to walk, just WALK no matter how fast or slow, for as long as I could. After the walk I would end all thought of the 12-miler and any regret for not doing it. When misery threatens to eclipse the progress you have worked so long to nurture, it must be banished. It can’t be given a nano-molecule of power lest it overtake you completely. Hell, I’ve never done a race I felt prepared for anyway. Why start now?
Despite my best intentions, I didn’t make it very far before I completely pooped out. I felt weak and devoid of energy, and I couldn’t talk myself into pushing ahead. Another day of rest was needed. Bleh
Wednesday 6/13/12
Feeling slightly better, I gave myself a goal of 3 miles, no matter what the speed. I walked the first mile then tried to run, making it only several steps before needing to slack off. After walking a bit, I repeated the same effort and was able to run a little longer. I figured I would just do this as many times as I could and continued. By the end of the outing, I was able to run about 1/4 to 1/2 block without feeling too bad. Recovery was well on the way.
Thursday 6/14/12
Feeling a bit more improved today, despite a night of sketchy sleep, I covered the same 3 miles of road this morning. I felt stronger from the start and finished almost 7 minutes faster than yesterday. I’m still not at 100% and COMPLETELY unsure if I am up to the 15k I have planned for this coming Saturday but I’m heading down to Peoria anyway. There is a 4 miler on the same course as the 15k, so if I can’t do the very hilly 9.3 miles I signed up for, I’ll do the 4. I’m hoping better sleep tonight and tomorrow combined with an extra 24 hours of healing time will power me through the longer distance. But we’ll see.
More to come….
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Edited to include sessions up to the Half Marathon in Anchorage:
6/15 — 45 MINUTE bike ride
6/16 — PEORIA STEAMBOAT CLASSIC: dumbed down to the 4 miler. It was brutally hot and I wasn’t up to a 9 miler. I did okay but not stellar. Main goal at this point was rest and readiness for the half marathon. In considering two years of running Peoria, I’ve decided I might not do this race again. It was a long way to go for what is not an exceptional event. Water stations were sparse and one was merely a table with some lady’s garden hose nearby to fill cups. The after party was nice but I can drink beer at home.
6/17 — a day of unanticipated REST. The “cold”, instead of healing, at this point turned nasty. Chills, thick green snot and a bowling ball seemingly rolling in my sinuses. The second true sinus infection of my life! Phoeey! I called myself in a Z-pack and decided to take it easier for a few days.
6/18 — 60 minutes slow, mostly walking, some running
6/19 — 35 minutes easy pedaling on the bike
6/20 and 6/21 — days OFF; 6/20 I spent my extra time packing and 6/21 was a full day spent flying from Chicago to Anchorage (via DFW….go figure)
6/22 — lots of walking around Anchorage, including a walk from midtown to downtown (approximately 3 miles)
Half Marathon Race Report next.
Boldly running where I've never gone before 