Alright, yes, I realize that’s been way too long since I’ve posted. And believe me, I do feel kind of bad that I’ve been M.I.A for a little bit after all the encouraging and insightful comments you all left on my previous post. I really do appreciate all the well wishes and have read through the list at least twice while I was sick but I seriously did not feel like ruining everyone’s day and holding a pity party for myself, so I figured I’d wait until the whole sickness episode was over before I reported again. Unfortunately, I remained infected for way longer than I ever anticipated (~10-12 days…yikes!) and is only now recovered enough to a point where I am not coughing, sneezing or running to the bathroom every hour and can sleep through the night without interruption. This is a major upgrade from how I felt even just 48 hours ago, believe me, so I’m not complaining.
What is frustrating me to no end however is that although physically, I feel about 90% back, my running, especially my speed game is only about 60% back from where it was just a few weeks ago. I know this because although I’ve been able to complete the majority of my easy, steady, and long runs, I have not finished a speedwork session successfully since before I got sick. And it’s not been from lack of trying either. Over the weekend, I wanted to try a marathon-paced run, but wasn’t able to sustain the effort past 2 miles. Yesterday, I attempted a tempo run of 7 miles but quit after 4. Time and time again, I’ve failed and failed at maintaining a faster pace that its all wreaking a havoc on my sanity and confidence. I realize that I am physically still not 100% (since I still intermittently cough while running and have trouble taking in fluids in between breaths) and should not extrapolate my current running state to how I will perform when I’m fully recovered but I can’t help but wonder if my speed and stamina will come back to me in time. Yes, I know it will…but I just wonder sometimes. I have a relay race with Flyers where I will be running the toughest segment (7 miles of hilly terrain) of the entire course coming up this weekend (with a 20 miler over three bridges the next day) and the Queens Half Marathon coming up next weekend. So my speed will be called on plenty and often during the next two weekend. I hope my legs still remember how to perform in front of a crowd!
Thanks again for all the well wishes. I am getting better…slowly! Don’t you all worry, I’ll find my way back here soon. Hope all is well with everyone and their running!
16 comments:
Hope ya feel better! I, too am coming off one of the nastiest colds I've had. Sucks.
Hang in there!
I hope you continue to feel better Lam!!! We're all pulling for ya to make a swift recovery and go back to shaming us all with your speedy times! :)
ekkk that cold just wont let go! i hope you continue to feel better and are back to 100% soon, both in health and speed! that is always frustrating when you can feel it stealing your speed away. you will get it back though - hang in there!
That is so frustrating. Your body will remember what to do, though. You have a great base, good muscle memory and mental toughness. Hang in there.
glad you are feeling better, we all missed you. don't worry too much about the speed, it will get back quickly (it always does). just don't bean yourself up because you're not where you want to be as quickly as you hope.
Ah, I know the feeling. You are physically better, no longer sick, but there is lingering fatigue and a sense of blah as the body recuperates after the illness. So frustrating! I say forget about your training plan this week and just put in the miles. By next week, you will be back 100%. NY marathon is still 2 months away, you have lots of time!
keep doing everything you can to get better! but 10-12 days is a LONG time to be sick. plus your body is still recovering so don't be too hard on yourself for not being at your top speedwork form. (although TOTALLY easier said than done i know!)
Hi LL
Seriously, you've got to take it easy on yourself for a while. I know all the work you have put in this summer and how much progress you have made. That just doesn't go away overnight. On the other hand, it takes so much energy for our bodies to fight off these new, tougher than ever bugs. And I know you know this, but it is something to hear it from someone else.
You'll be back and better than ever!
I heard somewhere that for every week off it takes 10 days to get back to where you were---and if you are trying to run in those ten days it is going to be affected. You WILL get it back, just talk to the part of you that knows that, and ignore the other guy.
Keep taking care of yourself. It'll all come back soon.
it's definitely frustrating. i'm sure once you are back to your old self it won't feel so impossible anymore. FEEL BETTER ALREADY!
Remember that it takes time to build back up to where you were before you got sick...you'll get back there, I know it! I hope you feel better soon, but keep resting as much as you need to. It will be better for you in the long run.
(Get it...long run?? har har...)
I can imagine how frustrated you are! Maybe the tough weekend will help you kick it and you'll be back. I hope so, anyway!
Feel better -- hope you're 100% soon!
Glad you are better Lam! Your speed will come back in no time.
Glad you are starting to feel better, Lam. Hang in there! Your speed will come back to you . . . it always does ;) Just give it a little time.
you will be fine! just rest up and feel better!
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