WEEK 6: 33 miles, sick, and Burlingame 15K

Monday: Chapman/Jordan Road from KSC; Log 8
Tuesday: 0
Wednesday: Core/hip strength + 5 miles on TM (tough- getting sick?); LOG 5
Thursday: Bretwood Bridge from KSC with Tat- rickety! Definitely getting sick! LOG 10
Friday: 0
Saturday: 0
Sunday: BRRR-Lingame 15K: 1:25:16/9:10 pace; LOG 10

Tough week.  Wednesday I could tell I was getting sick as I struggled to get 5 miles.  I was sweating profusely and just not having fun.  I tried to blame it on the heat inside so headed out Thursday in the cold.  That wasn't much better, I felt very rickety and could feel all the little inflammations and "injuries" my healthy body can keep at bay.  Friday I gave up and then Saturday too.

Sunday I really wanted to run the 15K trail race in RI.  Saturday I felt pretty awful but all we did was drive to RI and eat and go to bed early, so I was determined to wake up "better". And I did.  It was a chilly brusk day- but the sun was amazing.  The "snowstorm" didn't materialize so the footing was going to be good too.  So why not- it could either run the rest of this cold out of me or make it worse.  I took the chance.  I even planned to do an extra loop afterward to try to salvage the weeks mileage. 

We went to Burlingame State Park (which is HUGE) to run a two loop course.  The trails are pretty fun - twisty- and pretty flat- a couple rolling spots.  I tucked in a group behind Pard and just went with it.  I felt bad for the people around me as I was hacking up post nasal drip and trying to blow my nose conspicuously (I'm sure I wasn't successful).  We got to the open road part and I went ahead to try to catch the girl in orange who lead our pack through the single track.  She was running really steady. I kept her within striking distance for a lot of the rest of the loop and some of the beginning of the second.  Then I started feeling really thirsty and craving red gatorade.  This was a late race for me and we had eaten breakfast a LONG time ago.  I was beginning to feel it.  I saw someone had dropped their water bottle for themselves on their way thru the second loop...smart.  (No I didn't take any).  As I felt sorry for myself I lost the girl in orange...rather, she lost me.  This is where I was kind of on my own and experimented blowing snot rockets while on the run. FUN!  I made note to be sure to wipe myself down before coming to the finish!  I heard people coming up behind me and decided I should just run a little harder- it wasn't like I was going very fast- I've put in the miles, why was I being such a wuss?  The postnasal drip I had been swallowing for 6 miles must have some caloric value!  Somehow I convinced myself and I was able to muster a little strength to recatch the girl in orange.  I got to her just after all the bridges and thought for a little while I could even pass her, but I was getting real worn out.  I was sick afterall.  So just before the last turn I did a quick check to make sure I didn't have snot all over me and finsihed somewhat feeling good.  I didn't negative split...not even close (41:45/43:32), but I wasn't sore like I had been earlier in the week and was just tired and very hungry.  Really I felt pretty good- like I had run the cold out of me.  We bagged the extra loop idea as we got cold and heard they were picking up the flags.   Greg won.  That was good for him after a week of sickness too.  It's fun to go to another state and know so many people there!  It was a fun day.  I love trail racing (especailly with my husband! ;)) awwww.

This week I will try to get back to over 40 miles. The week isn't starting great though as I didn't run today because I just don't feel great.  The congestion is gone,  but still not healthy.  I also have to get back to lifting some weights!  I have been wimpy about that all of a sudden.  Hopefully once this virus is done bothering me I will get on track and I'll feel like a runner again.  Looking forward to some early spring road races...hopefully it won't finally snow!  It's a process and I love it!