Sick at St. Jude

[jessmarimba]

You made the right decision but I probably would have started anyway (and either DNFed or suffered the whole race). I just don't always see sense in those situations!

I hope you are feeling better soon!

[Bike Chick]

I know that I did the right thing but it was a tough decision to make. I just didn't want to jeopardize being sick next month for the marathon. The head cold has turned into a dry cough this morning. Now I have to decide whether to do my 6 mile run tonight or rest. How much time can you take off when you are sick without affecting your fitness level?

[OakLeaf]

Eat plenty of protein (your body needs it to make those white blood cells) and a few days off won't hurt you nearly as much as staying sick will.

Seriously, if you haven't started on black elderberry extract yet, get some. I've tried all kinds of things for colds, and if it was placebo effect, something else would've worked a long time ago. That stuff works. Like most things it's probably best if you take it as soon as symptoms start, but I don't think it's too late.

Anyway hope you feel better soon!

[goldfinch]

I know that I did the right thing but it was a tough decision to make. I just didn't want to jeopardize being sick next month for the marathon. The head cold has turned into a dry cough this morning. Now I have to decide whether to do my 6 mile run tonight or rest. How much time can you take off when you are sick without affecting your fitness level?

I've wondered about that. I've been sick for a week and have not done any exercise at all since last Monday. I just haven't had it in me. I think though I can try a walk or short ride today. Or better yet, maybe a trip to the pool where it is warm.

[jessmarimba]

I know that I did the right thing but it was a tough decision to make. I just didn't want to jeopardize being sick next month for the marathon. The head cold has turned into a dry cough this morning. Now I have to decide whether to do my 6 mile run tonight or rest. How much time can you take off when you are sick without affecting your fitness level?

I did my last real run 3 weeks before my half. I ran 12 that morning, came down with a cold that afternoon, and it quickly turned into bronchitis. I didn't run at all for 2 weeks, then did one crappy 5 miler about a week before the race. I didn't lose anything substantial fitness-wise, though mentally I was kind of a mess (I wouldn't recommend that route!) But at this point you're ready. You've done the months of training. Let your body do what it needs to recover.

[OakLeaf]

I second Jess, with one exception - if you're well within a week, I think you could try one last long run before you start your taper. The mental confidence you'll gain IMO will outweigh whatever you lose by cutting your taper to three weeks instead of four.

Remember the balance you're trying to strike isn't about working out as though you were well. Unfortunately, that option is gone. It's about "how much fitness will I lose if I depress my immune system, draw microbes deeper into my lungs by hard breathing, and stay sicker longer?"

[Bike Chick]

I felt better as the day went on and decided to run this evening and give it the 5 minute rule. If I felt like crap after 5 minutes, I would quit. My legs felt rested and it was invigorating to run so I got 4 miles in and called it good. Then I came home and read your responses. Oops! I wonder now if I did the right thing.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement, especially about how I've done the training and I'm ready. I know deep down that I'm as ready as I will be but it's my first marathon and I'm not that confident. I have one more 20 miler in a week then I start my taper. Once I have that out of the way, I will feel better.