Trying to stay positive here but freaking out on the inside as my training has been completely derailed, last week by Christmas festivities and this week by illness. I did 2 miles on the treadmill yesterday and it felt OK but I was at my limit. I’m feeling OK just weak-ish. I looked through my books and the most sensible advice I saw was to do 3-4 20-30 minute runs before getting back on a serious schedule. I would so like to get my six-miler in by the end of this training week which is Sunday- so I’m hopeful I can do another 2 miles today (Thursday), then maybe 3 or 3.5 on Friday, 2 on Saturday and 6 on Sunday with the understanding that I may have to take a couple of walk breaks on the long run. Anyone out there for to give me advice?!!! I’m trying to push myself to get on with things with out injuring myself and/or getting sicker…
First of all HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Here’s my advice, for what it’s worth. I think if you have a flu, you have to take it easy. Here are a couple of articles about training while sick, the gist of it seems to be that you should not stop exercising when you have a cold, but if you have muscle fatigue, fever (flu stuff) then you do have to rest your body so it can recover.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04EFD61230F936A15751C1A96E9C8B63
http://www.backpacker.com/blogs/532
I don’t like the sound of your plan at all because it involves exercising 5 days in a row without rest and you’re not even supposed to do that when you’re heathy, never mind when sick! Don’t do it!
You already ran yesterday. Why don’t you take today off, then run again on Friday, take Saturday off, and attempt your 6 mile run on Sunday but be prepared to take walk breaks. You might be surprised how much better you feel by Sunday, but not if you are trying to exercise every day until then!! Do as little as possible today and Saturday!
Finally, don’t freak out. The half is only a preparation for the full. It doesn’t matter how you do for the half so don’t sweat it. You have plenty of time until May. Relax! Get better.
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I did run yesterday (on the treadmill of course) 2.5. I will take your advice and take today off- and then maybe do an easy 2 tomorrow and still keep my sights set on 6 for Sunday. I don’t exactly have a cold- although I do have a bit of a cough mostly it’s fatigue. The ol’ man is finally out of bed today after 5 days of shivering and sweating. My theory is that he is so out of shape that the virus hits him HARD- because as I said, even though I haven’t felt well- I haven’t been in bed for 5 days- not even one whole day!
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Sounds like a good plan! Be glad you have the treadmill. The snow/ice/slush conditions are different every day and I never know what I’m going to experience until it happens. Yesterday was pretty good with virtually no ice (around noon), the day before was horrendous with ice everywhere and a constant danger of slipping! But so far I haven’t fallen so I’m happy. I would totally be on the treadmill if I had one though.
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