Monday, March 12, 2012

Bubonic Plague

Perhaps bronchitis + a sinus infection is not the bubonic plague but it certainly feels that way.  There are 6 days until the NYC Half Marathon - for those not paying attention it has been all consuming in my life.  It has been an enormously large goal that I signed up for - my very first 13.1.  One that makes me extremely uncomfortable to the point that I've been working so hard to prepare.  But as the saying goes, "People plan, God laughs".  Well then I guess I'm the punch line.  I've been so sick for the past 5 days and everyday I think it's going to get better but then it seems to get worse.  Today I decided it was time for a visit to a professional.  At my doctor's appointment I failed the breathing test, had to get a breathing treatment, a shot of steroids in my rear, a week's worth of steroids to take at home and a prescription for Zithromax.  And still I'm having trouble taking a really deep breath and my headache is unbearable.

Then the question of the hour: "Can I run my half marathon on Sunday?" to which he responded, "Will you lose your job if you don't run it?".  Well that answered that one - he said it was crazy to consider it even if I were feeling better by then bc I wouldn't be completely recovered and would cause further damage.

I could actually cry thinking about not doing it - I've been so excited about this race from the day I registered.  I've not wavered in my excitement or training and now this.  This is completely out of my control, nothing I can do, no distance I can run, nothing my beloved coach can do to fix this - just me and Mother Nature not getting along.  This has never happened to me before - I've never had to back out of a race for anything and this sucks.  Perhaps I'll be completely cured by tomorrow  - let's hope!





Friday, March 9, 2012

When Life Gives You Lemons...

More like when your long run turns out to suck so bad you wonder why on earth you continue on?  Monday was supposed to be my first 10 mile run ever.  Of course 2 out of 3 kids were home sick but I wrangled a babysitter so I could still make this happen.  It was a terrible run - I felt like crap, my times were beyond slow even for me, sitter called at mile 8 so I had to head home.  But while out on the run I stopped to take some photos - it really is a great feeling to run in the quiet of nature, no music, no other people, just me (and my iphone camera when something pretty popped up!).  The pictures don't do it justice but New Jersey really is beautiful.  Fresh air and quiet make it all seem worth while.






One week left until I get to run through the opposite of quiet: TIMES SQUARE with 5,000 of my closet friends!