Recovering

I'm supposed to be on my way to Mankato, MN in preparation for a 10K race early tomorrow morning.  However, Dear Hubby and I decided to pull out of the race.  Two reasons:

1. I'm not ready due to my recent illness.
2. It's a long distance away requiring an overnight stay.

We decided that for a 10K, it wasn't worth it.  I am a bit disappointed, but I really think we made the right decision.  It would be a completely different matter if the race were closer to home, or if it were more significant...like a half or full-marathon.

That's the bad news.  The good news is that I am recovered and feeling strong.  I've had a few personal training sessions focusing on strength training, and now I'm ready to get back to my running schedule. 

The temperatures are cooling off, so no more feeling like I'm running trapped in the middle of a freshly baked muffin.  No more battling mosquitoes.  Right now it's the cool crisp air of fall leading up to the snow and ice of the Minnesota winter, and I'm planning on continuing to run outdoors.

Last winter I marveled at the folks I saw out running in the frigid cold.  I couldn't fathom what could entice them to continue running in those conditions.  Well, my next goal is to run a half-marathon in February, and it will be an outdoor race, so I'd better get in gear and get used to running outside if I'm going to be ready for that. 

I will focus on building back my running base for the next four weeks and then begin half-marathon training in earnest Thanksgiving week. 

Setbacks

No!  I haven't given up on my goal of running a marathon in 2012.  I've just had some setbacks in my training.

September 10 was a gorgeous day, and my hubby and I ran our first 10K race.  It went really well.  My pace was good, and after crossing the finish line, I discovered that the race organizers made a mistake in where they placed the starting/finish line, and the race was a quarter-mile longer than a 10K.  So, rather than 6.2, it was 6.45.  I felt great, and I was eager to begin training for my next 10K, which would be in 5 weeks.

BAM!  I got sick.  Headaches and sore throat and cough.  I tried to run anyway and discovered that running when you have a cough isn't a good idea.  So, I rested and recovered.  Started to feel good and was excited to get back into my training regime...BAM!  Sinus infection.  My husband and I ran anyway.  I thought my head would explode, but made it 3.5 miles at a snails' pace.  The next day was a rest day, but I woke up feeling better and started imagining my next run, then KABLOWIE! I got hit with a vicious GI infection and ended up in the ER.  3 liters of IV fluid and some really strong drugs got me through.



Here I am today...two weeks before my next 10K.  Only two runs under my belt since my last race a month ago.  I am feeling better but still foggy.  Gonna try to run tomorrow--easy run to start building strength and stamina. 

There's just really something to having a race on your calendar to keep you motivated.