This cold I've been battling has had the weirdest progression. One day I feel fine, the next day my throat hurts, then my throat feels fine but my sinuses are a wreck, then my sinuses feel fine but my lungs are all tight...
I had a really fabulous run last Thursday with Kristin that reminded me that even though I'm really resting more than tapering now, I'm still capable of running. This was a good mental boost, because I cannot run with a cold in my chest. My asthma is too difficult to control. I'm gasping for breath just sitting around.
So mentally, yes, I'm a little freaked for the marathon. But I know my body can do this as long as I'm not sick by next weekend. Colds are only supposed to last 14 days, right?
Anyway, I took a nap Friday and then slept til noon Saturday...so at least I have the resting part of taper/sickness recovery covered. We saw Matt's dad Saturday and finally made a big house purchase we've been talking over...rugs!
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| Matt really likes shaggy rugs, so we got one for the bedroom. It's finally starting to feel comfy in there! |
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| We went for a big, patterned rug in the living room. |
We've been wanting rugs for awhile and I feel like these are kind of important purchases because they're brand new and decorative...I think we're finally figuring out what style we like for the house.
It was a good thing I got all that sleep Friday/Saturday because I woke up super early Sunday to go cheer for Kristin and Mari at a half marathon. I was originally thinking of running while I waited at the finish line for them, but my lungs weren't working well enough.
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| At the park pre-race! |
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| And they're off! |
I had spent Saturday night making a sign. The pink side said "KRISTIN & MARI EAT 13.1 FOR BREAKFAST!!!" and on the back I wrote "BEAST MODE: ON! YOU'VE GOT THIS!" I spun the sign so the majority of runners saw the general message but flipped it when Kristin and Mari passed.
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| Matt watched a terrible movie while I got my craft on. |
I took up my post around mile 6. A few runners wanted pictures with the sign. It was awesome to hang out and offer support; I was sad I wasn't running, but happy to still be involved. After a few weeks of cool weather, today was surprisingly hot really early on; by the end of the race it was in the 80s and I heard there wasn't much water on the course. So in short, this was a hard race, but Mari and Kristin finished strong!
I'm so proud of both of them, and I'm reminded that spectating can be just as rewarding as running. I definitely teared up a few times as I watched runners dig deep and finish what must have been a truly brutal half.
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| True story...but we still went and had brunch afterward! |
Now I'm looking at two more days of a work before break, and just six days until the marathon. I feel...resigned? Like, yes, I will do this and I know I'll finish it. But oooh boy do I wish my health and my confidence were where I want them to be right now!
Any words of comfort for my likelihood of kicking this cold in time for the race?
Any positive words of advice? (This is a strictly #nonegativethoughts zone right now because I need to pump myself up!)
ABK
I'm sure you'll be feeling better by next weekend. I love emergen-c, and I really think it helps me, so if you're looking for something to try to help fight it you might want to start there. Otherwise just lots of rest. And don't worry - all that extra rest will help you have extra energy on race day!
ReplyDeleteI've been drinking Emergen-C like crazy. I do think that it's helped a LOT.
DeleteJust trust in your training! Thank about your 20-miler often, I don't think anything can give you a confidence boost before a marathon like knowing you've already run 20. Also, just think, since it's your first marathon no matter what time you finish in it will be a PR and since you're just setting a baseline for future marathons, there is really no pressure. This marathon will be all about the experience - and it will be life changing in such a cool way. Even with my (horrible) finishing time, it was a completely life changing experience for me. Picture yourself crossing the finish line a lot and get ready for that awesome moment because it's gonna be here soon!
ReplyDeleteYour finishing time was what it was. I wouldn't call it horrible. You seriously had a LOT going against you and you powered through and finished that beast. I'm beyond inspired by that!
DeleteBut yes, I'm trying to envision my 20 over and over. I just have a hard time believing I'll be able to do it, and add a 10k, again!
Take vitamin c pills and drink Oj :) Also, try to calm down and relax - whenever I let my nerves get to me, it makes my asthma so much worse because I tighten up, which makes it hard to breathe.
ReplyDeleteMy asthma isn't related to my nerves at all, luckily! This was all sickness, and prednisone seemed to knock it out!
DeleteMaranoia- LOVE IT! I never heard that one before. :) I also really like your area rug for your living room. Classic yet fun. :) I understand your worry about being sick for the race but you have been sick for so long, it's gotta clear up soon, right!?
ReplyDeleteI think it's finally gone! It hung around just long enough to get in the way of my last long run! boooo.
DeleteI love that lounge chair you have in the living room.
ReplyDeleteThat chair has a history. Our friends had one and my husband wanted one SO BADLY so we stalked it in the store for like 6 months until it was on sale and then bought it. We love it!
DeleteTry drinking throat coat tea! It always helps keep my throat issues at bay. It's in the medicine section usually and doesn't taste the best (but that's just me...if you like black licorice, you will like it!), but it always does the trick :)
ReplyDeleteYou're going to eat 26.2 for breakfast in a few days no questions asked! You will do fantastic and have worked so hard- it will pay off in spades! :)
PS love the rugs. a lot.
I've add tea and hot toddies back into my evening routine. That's been a definite help!
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