No Time for Sick Days

The cool weather this week has definitely helped my running performance. A couple of swift runs along Lake Monona in Madison were aided by the cool morning air. This is the good news. The bad news is that I found myself afflicted with a cold to go along with the change in weather. Luckily, Wednesday was a planned day off so I took the opportunity to enjoy a rest day. By Thursday I was ready to hit the pavement again, or so I thought.

I had forgotten about a reception I had to attend after work on Thursday so at the last minute, I had to delay my run for about a hour. When I finally laced up my shoes, it was windy, almost dark and raining. The training schedule said 4 miles so I headed out for a there and back loop. That's when things started to go downhill.

Right as I reached the 2 mile mark, I started to feel sick. At this point all I could do was continue with my run as I was at the turn-around. Sometimes if you just keep going, the feeling will go away and that was what I was hoping for. Unfortunately that's not what happened. I will spare you the details of my sickness, but let's just say it wasn't pleasant. I remembered there was a gas station a block or so off my route so I headed there desperately hoping to make it in time. I did - sort of. After cleaning myself up in the bathroom, I headed out for my remaining 2 miles. Amazingly, I felt great on my way back.

There may be no time for sick days during marathon training but if you're willing to not give up, you can really see what you're made of. And possibly see what you had for lunch.