I am putting up this post because it is a goodreminder to myself and others that even though you have the best intentions, sometimes things just don't work out in your favor.
One of the events that I had on my calendar this year was the Cinco De Mayo Half Marathon located in Snoqualmie Washington. This was my first 10+ mile event and I wanted to be prepared in such a way that I would finish in the top 50%.
The Half Marathon was May 5th. I registered in December. I started a 16-week half marathon training plan that implemented the following workouts:
2x a week: Runs ranging from 3-4.5 miles
1x a week: Runs ranging from 3 to 12 miles
I worked 4 months for this race, ran 3 times a week, and kept my goals laid out.
It was hard training through the washington winter, but I sucked it up and did it.
On my 11 and 12 mile runs, I was confident. I was going to nail this. I started to get excited for the upcoming event.
...and then it happened...
10 days before the race, my wife came home sick from work. She is a personal trainer and works in close quarters with people. She was complaining earlier in the week that all of her clients were coming in sick.
**SIDE NOTE: If you are sick, there is ZERO reason for you to be going to the gym. I understand people going to work when they are sick...they have bills to pay. But the Gym? Really? Do you really think it's a good idea to be raising your heart rate, breathing heavy, and sweating on equipment when you have the flu? I don't see any reason what-so-ever for people to go to the gym when they are sick.
Anyways. I had to quarantine myself from my wife. It was getting to the "Danger Zone", and I really couldn't have the flu affect something that I have worked so hard for. I took emergen-C, I avoided contact, I washed my hands every time I touched something.
3 days before the race: My body finally caved in.
2 days before the race: I woked up with a full blown flu.
I still had 2 days. I will rest, have vitamin C, and fight this to the end. In the meantime, I complained about it here:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=438435&posts=18&mid=4188394&highlight=&highlightmode=1&action=search#M4188394
1 day before the race: I am flooded with fluids and going to pick up my race packet. I know that it is doubtful that I will be able to do it, however I am still confident that if I show up at the starting line, there may be a good chance that enough adrenaline kicks in to carry me through. I go for a walk with the dog and try jogging. It is difficult to jog for 5 minutes. After that, I pretty much knew what my fate would be.
At this point, I figured we could still go and see the start of the race. If there is any devine intervention then I can give it a shot...but it was a very slim shot.
The morning of the race, It was difficult to even make the walk from the car over to the start line, which was about a half mile. That was the nail in the coffin. There wasn't even a point to standing with the other racers. We were just there at that point to watch them start the race and then we'd go home and rest.
It was incredibly disappointing.
Needless to say: I still have the shirt sitting in my closet as a brutal reminder that nothing is certain.
One of the events that I had on my calendar this year was the Cinco De Mayo Half Marathon located in Snoqualmie Washington. This was my first 10+ mile event and I wanted to be prepared in such a way that I would finish in the top 50%.
The Half Marathon was May 5th. I registered in December. I started a 16-week half marathon training plan that implemented the following workouts:
2x a week: Runs ranging from 3-4.5 miles
1x a week: Runs ranging from 3 to 12 miles
I worked 4 months for this race, ran 3 times a week, and kept my goals laid out.
It was hard training through the washington winter, but I sucked it up and did it.
On my 11 and 12 mile runs, I was confident. I was going to nail this. I started to get excited for the upcoming event.
...and then it happened...
10 days before the race, my wife came home sick from work. She is a personal trainer and works in close quarters with people. She was complaining earlier in the week that all of her clients were coming in sick.
**SIDE NOTE: If you are sick, there is ZERO reason for you to be going to the gym. I understand people going to work when they are sick...they have bills to pay. But the Gym? Really? Do you really think it's a good idea to be raising your heart rate, breathing heavy, and sweating on equipment when you have the flu? I don't see any reason what-so-ever for people to go to the gym when they are sick.
Anyways. I had to quarantine myself from my wife. It was getting to the "Danger Zone", and I really couldn't have the flu affect something that I have worked so hard for. I took emergen-C, I avoided contact, I washed my hands every time I touched something.
3 days before the race: My body finally caved in.
2 days before the race: I woked up with a full blown flu.
I still had 2 days. I will rest, have vitamin C, and fight this to the end. In the meantime, I complained about it here:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=438435&posts=18&mid=4188394&highlight=&highlightmode=1&action=search#M4188394
1 day before the race: I am flooded with fluids and going to pick up my race packet. I know that it is doubtful that I will be able to do it, however I am still confident that if I show up at the starting line, there may be a good chance that enough adrenaline kicks in to carry me through. I go for a walk with the dog and try jogging. It is difficult to jog for 5 minutes. After that, I pretty much knew what my fate would be.
At this point, I figured we could still go and see the start of the race. If there is any devine intervention then I can give it a shot...but it was a very slim shot.
The morning of the race, It was difficult to even make the walk from the car over to the start line, which was about a half mile. That was the nail in the coffin. There wasn't even a point to standing with the other racers. We were just there at that point to watch them start the race and then we'd go home and rest.
It was incredibly disappointing.
Needless to say: I still have the shirt sitting in my closet as a brutal reminder that nothing is certain.
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