Monthly Archives: November 2007
Not the way I wanted to hit 0 miles
So, what I thought would be one day off from worked turned into two and now on Wednesday afternoon I’ve nearly lost my voice, but actually feel much better. Better now than a few weeks ago, right? All plans of running the 5k on Saturday have been put on hold unless I somehow get rid of this chest congestion by then. I’m not giving up hope, yet, but I’m not going to worry about it either. If it happens that’s great, if it doesn’t, then oh well. My No. 1 running goal this year has been met.
This sickness has brought an unexpected running void into my life this week, but I certainly realize that my overall health is much more important than any other goals I have at this time. While 1,000 miles is certainly in reach, having a successful half marathon in March is more important than running myself into a hospital.
I want to run, but my body has other plans
The body has a unique way of telling you to stop. On Saturday morning, I woke up with a sore throat, but didn’t feel bad. I quickly took some medicine, including a powerful throat drop, and felt fine. So in the nice cold morning, I went out for a nice, steady 4 miles. Later that afternoon, I started feeling bad.
So Saturday night, I didn’t feel that great, yet I didn’t have a fever. Yesterday I did nothing. I slept for a couple of hours in the early afternoon and watched a lot of football. I didn’t feel all that bad, but some minor sore throat lingered. Then today, it’s the same. There’s very little fever, but I don’t feel like doing anything but sleeping. I was already planning to take a half day off work for something else, but I’ve turned it into a full day off. My brain wants to go, but the rest of my body is saying no.
It seems my quest for 1,000 miles has slowed, but the end really is in sight. I’m just not going to run while not feeling well and then ruin my chances. I’m also eager to set some goals for 2008, but like I’ve said before I’m waiting until I hit 1,000 miles. Also, this weekend I’m hoping to run in the Bedford Christmas Classic 5k. There’s also a 10k that day, but it feels too soon after the marathon to run hard for 6-plus miles. Meanwhile, it’s time to get some more rest…
If you ran on Thanksgiving, then ate twice as much as usual, this blog's for you.
Am I the only one who is tired of hearing/saying/reading about running so you can eat whatever you want during the holidays? With yesterday being Thanksgiving, and the Festival of All-You-Can-Eat Turkey continuing through the weekend, all I can think about is getting up tomorrow morning and going for my longest run since the marathon. While it’ll probably only be four miles or so, it’ll help my mind, and it’ll help my body get into calorie-burning mode. But I’m getting tired of eating whatever I want to during the holidays and then thinking running makes it OK. I feel fat and bloated and sick just thinking about it.
For those who ran a turkey trot yesterday, that 5k or 10k or whatever distance doesn’t give you free reign on a 500-plus calorie piece of pecan pie (please, click on the link) or six slices of ham. But we do it anyway, don’t we? Sure, running helps and we’re certainly entitled to dive in a little more than some people should, but why do we go so crazy? (If anyone can figure out how to make pecan pie still taste the same at half the calories, please post a link to the recipe.)
I’ve heard that a local YMCA is doing a campaign of “Maintain, Don’t Gain” this holiday season. What a great idea — instead of packing on a few winter pounds, maybe we should focus on being happy with what we have and focus on not over-indulging. A few extra cookies along the way won’t hurt, but an extra piece of pie probably will. Make tomorrow your weigh-in day and challenge yourself to not gain weight between now and Jan. 2. It’s likely from all this eating since yesterday that you’ll have a few pounds that haven’t worked their way out of your body, so that’ll make the challenge even easier.
I feel like maybe I should apologize for this mini-rant, but after losing 40 pounds a few years ago, I am tired of gaining a few pounds during the holiday season. Each year it gets harder and harder to shed it off. It’s time for me to stop it, and it’s time for many others out there to stop it too.
Thankful I can run
Fellow blogger, Jason, posted a list today of running-related things he’s thankful for. I’d suggest checking it out. I pretty much agree with everything on there, as most runners probably do. (Only difference is I’m thankful for Advil.)
Each Thanksgiving seems more and more like an early Christmas. The decorations are out, people are already checking their lists twice … and we still have more than a month to go. But before I get to Christmas, I wanted to express how thankful I am that I can run. While every runner talks about getting faster, losing weight, setting PRs or discussing gear, we need to set a day aside - like Thanksgiving - where we give thanks for being able to have those discussions in the first place.
So Happy Thanksgiving everybody. Don’t eat too much turkey.
By the numbers
Since finishing the marathon became such a high priority, I never did look at the actual statistics with where I finished. According to the marathon’s Web site there were 3,783 starters. You have to do a little digging to find that there were 3,684 finishers.
I placed 1,852nd overall, so I was barely in the second half. A mid-packer. Out of 230 in my age group (25-29), I was 131st. And out of 2,215 male finishers, I was 1,272nd. Crazy, crazy numbers since I’m so used to runners with 200 or fewer people. These are all numbers that generally I don’t care too much about, but they’re out there for me to possibly challenge one day.
I'm tired
I’m tired. After months of what felt like non-stop thinking about running and spending 4-5 days a week getting up and running, I’m just flat-out tired.
I know this feeling will subside, I’ll get re-energized and will enjoy running. Besides, I have a 1,000 mile goal to hit. I have a half marathon in less than four months to run. I have 2008 to plan. But I’m tired. I know there’s no rush or no pressure to run hard for a little while, and I don’t feel bad about it. On the days I have run, I can feel my body still getting over the abuse of 26.2 miles.
Some people can just get right back out there and keep racing. But did I mention that I’m tired!?!? I’m not one of those people. Not yet.
Hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving. For those turkey trotting that day, have a great run. I’ll be running my own, very slow trot that day, but I’ll be out there no matter how tired I feel. There’s no reason to stop now.
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