Help! Any advice? Sick before half...

[lenshanem]

My first half is just over a week away and I have caught the flu or some kind of bad cold - totally got the fever with the chills and all that mess... It feels like it is going to my chest. I'm so freaked out! On the advice of my Mom I'm taking Emergen-C Immune Defense. I'm in taper mode so no long runs planned, but I did miss a short run today and will probably miss tomorrow, too. Who knows about next week's runs...

Should I panic if I miss all these short runs right before the half?

I have followed this training program without fail and now here I am at the end and missing all my runs.

I really hope I don't give this to DH cause he was gonna run, too!

 

[ironz]

Shan...rest and hydrate (not with just water, though)!!

If you get better for the start, you'll be fine...you've done the training, and have done quite well at that! Don't sweat the short runs between now and then...the work is all in the bank by now. If you're feeling better by middle of next week, do one or two very short runs just to get your legs used to it again. Trust that you have done the majority of the work.

I bet you'll be fine! Keep us posted!

 

[andromedaslove]

You should be ok. You have put in the important work, the only thing these next weeks were for are to let you rest while still moving. Make sure you rest... hydrate ..... and relax. I missed the last two weeks of my training schedule before the full this year too, because I got sick and then got lazy, and thanks to my training I was still able to PR. I hope you feel better soon!!

Dana

 

[ScoJo15]

Shan - You should be just fine...tapering is so that your body can rest and heal before a big event so just make sure you are drinking water and resting up. You might want to visit the doctor just in case, he/she can give you some good antibiotics.

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

Shan, I echo everyone else's response as well. The short runs in your taper won't make a difference to your training as you've already put in all the hard work. Rest your body so you can be healthy for the half.

Get well soon!

 

[wtpclc]

Shan, before the 07 full, I was down and out sick. Hoorizontal fro 3 days a week befoe teh race. Monday was the first day I left teh houe. WOrked (in a haze) Tue to Fri and did nothing else but pack. Ran 30 min Friday night and was not thrilled with how I felt. Did ok for teh full on SUnday. Was still hacking up a storm, but did ok.

Do not think about runnign at all, unless you fell 110%. Put all your focus on getting better. 1 week off at this point wll not harm you. Overdoing it wel.. I know how scary adn awful that feels.

 

[Creativebeth]

I actually PR'ed on a day I was really sick......who knows why, but I felt horrible, but ran well.

Beth

 

[princessrunner]

Shan, 3 weeks before the WDW half, I had a "procedure" where they removed a huge polyp from my colon with lots of cautery used. I was told I could not run for 2 weeks, at all, period for fear of bleeding. Talk about forced taper!! Anyway, I made it a week and a half but never really got back to my former running speed. My longest run was 8 miles before the big 13.1. I finished in 2:31:44 which was more than I had expected by a long shot. I went into it thinking I would do a run/walk but ended up running the entire way.

Believe in your training, believe in your body. You have amazing powers of recovery now. Hydrate, rest and get well soon!!

 

[Cruella de mom]

Shan - You are going to be fine. Rest Rest Rest. Lots of juice and water.

And when you are feeling sick and don't feel like you can run the race, remember, you have until the day before the ING to call me in to run with you. I would be honored to run it with you. Or I could just start the race with you to get you through the first few miles. Whatever you need or want. I know you want to do this race all on your own but if you change your mind, know that I am available.

Missing the runs won't hurt you, you have done the work and you will be fine.
Don't panic. It is normal to feel panic at this stage of taper even if you aren't sick. You have 9 days to recover. Thats over a lifetime in virus years.

Cecilia

 

[twotoohappy]

just wanted to send you some
and well wishes for a speedy recovery
and for a great race

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks everyone for all your wisdom.

Cecilia, you are too sweet.

I went to the doc today and he put me on antibiotics. Said it was a virus but gave me the antibiotics anyway to keep from getting a secondary infection. He used to run races when he was younger and told me he understood how important this was to me.

Basically, I feel very weak and have a nasty chest cough - two things you don't want to have when you're running.

I wish I could just lay in bed, but yesterday was like packed with responsibilities. I was sweating all day long. I almost started crying last night when I was helping my oldest with a paper. I'm normally a tough gal, but I'm feeling very sorry for myself right now.

 

[wtpclc]

Hang in there SHan!!!! Just rest as much as you can!!!!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Shan, do what you can to rest. You WILL be fine at the event.

Cecilia made a wonderful offer! Use it if you want the support.

WISH Team Rocks!

 

[lenshanem]

Checking in. My Mom took the girls last night and DH is at work today so I have the house to myself. I thought I was feeling better yesterday evening, but woke up this morning I think feeling the worst I've felt since last Wednesday. I definitely have the flu. I had the flu shot, too and so did the rest of my family. Maybe mine didn't take??? Now it is in my head in addition to my chest. I finally had to get out of bed and sit up I thought I was gonna die just laying there. Trying to drink some Gatorade now... Running is the last thing on my mind right now.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Shan: Sorry to hear you are feeling worse... try to take decongestants, I found the Shower Steamers to be awesome. You put the tablet on the shower floor and let the steam rise up with the methol and stuff and it helps your head open up and makes you feel better. I hope it starts to clear up. Even though you got the flu shot, unfortunately it doesn't cover all the flu strains and this year there are a few tough strains that were not covered. I was sick (head cold) the week before my Ft. Lauderdale half. Was feeling better when I did it, but had to take along tissues and Halls cough drops just in case I needed them along the way in my fanny pac.
I hope things get better for you, try to rest up, take in fluids, try to keep your head from getting too full of stuff, use saline nasal spray, etc.
Take care of yourself.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Oh Shan...I'm so sad for you that you are so sick! It's still a week away though...PLENTY of time to get better. Follow everyones' advice and just rest up as needed. I know you are worried...but I still have faith that you'll be at the starting line and all your awesome training is going to pay off!

Sending you TONS of PD and good wishes that you get healthy SOON!

Hang in there...try not to stress about it.

 

[ScoJo15]

Hang in there Shan!! Still OVER a week left until the half. Try to keep getting the fluids in and ride it out. Resting is the best thing to do right now...the good news is that your legs will be good and rested for the race :

 

[escape]

How are you feeling today?

Sending you lots of and for a speedy recovery.

 

[wtpclc]

Shan - SO sorry to hear you got worse. Glad you were able to havea day of rest! FYI, they giuessed worng on flu shots this year, and only one of the 3 strains in teh shot was a match. Hence the reason flu has been so bad this year.

Hope you're doing better now!!!

 

[Lexxiefern]

Shan, I hope you are feeling better, but there is still time. Gets lots of rest and drink lots of OJ.

Becky