The best laid plans

I certainly do not pretend that I do everything right, or even have tried to do everything right when it comes to running these races.  I am certain that any number of you could easily show me where I have gone wrong on many levels and in many steps along the way.  Although, I have paid attention to some stuff and made every effort to stay healthy.  There is the whole eating thing, and the whole stretching thing and the tapering thing and resting and hydrating and training.  OK, so I don't stretch or warm-up, but those other things I have made an effort.  I have not run a whole lot this week and I have not run real hard when I did.  That is my idea of tapering.  I have taken days off.  Basically running every other day or so, depending how I feel.  That is my idea of resting.  I have eaten three meals a day, which is not really normal for me.  I don't often eat breakfast, but I am trying to be good.  I have plans to eat 50% carbs two days before the race and hydrate adequately.  I also have a plan to stay loose and warm the day before the race, so that I do not get stiff.  I have even been eating some Goo ( I am told it is spelled Gu... I checked, Tommy was right, it is Gu) while running so that I can get some nutrients and test how my body deals with this protocol.

So, maybe I don't do everything right, but I have made a pretty good effort.  Yesterday I went for a light run.  Pretty easy... 3.37 miles, negative splits, at a 7:45 per minute average pace.  8:02, then 7:46, then 7:36 and the last .37 at 7:16.  I do not plan on running today or Friday.  The race is Sunday morning.  I felt good.  I ate some Gu after mile one.  Just testing it out to see how I do.  Eating while running is not so easy for me.  I am breathing heavy and now I have to swallow something with substance.  Then my mouth gets all full of thick, viscous saliva.  Meanwhile I am still breathing heavy.  I was pretty sure that I sucked in some saliva and started to cough a little bit.  No big deal, but coughing every minute or so trying to clear it from my lungs.  After the run, I continued to cough for the rest of the evening and figured my throat was sore and I created a "tickle".  No big deal, should be fine in the morning.

Well, guess what?!?  It is not gone.  I have a sore throat, more snot in my sinus, dripping down my throat than I care to discuss at the moment and I seem to have the typical "head cold" type symptoms.  How the heck did this happen?  Ain't nobody got time for this.

Yes, I went to work.  No, I am not a typical woosy man that cannot function when he has a little sniffle. Sorry, guys, but the stereotype is often true.  I am still going to Tulsa and I am still going to run, but this is a little disappointing.  I don't enjoy being sick (who does?), and I am imagining that this is going to affect my performance.  Could it even, potentially prevent me from finishing?  I am going to say NO.  The only good news is today is Thursday and the race is not until Sunday, so I may have time enough to get well before the race.  The only thing that concerns me is that I relatively never get sick.  When I do get sick it is usually one of those things that starts small, like a sore throat and then gets pretty bad where I am laid up in the bed for a few days.  I don't generally need a nurse or nursemaid or anything.  Truth is, when I feel bad, I would prefer to be left alone.



My son, Noble just had his tonsils out a few minutes ago.  He is 11 years old and a good boy.  So, I think I am just developing a sore throat as a sympathy for him.  I imagine that he will have a sore throat for several days after he wakes from the anesthesia.  Surely I am not sick.  It is only for Noble's sake, right?  Poor guy.  We would covet your prayers for his healing.  As I am told, the surgery went well and he is in the recovery room dreaming about the ice-cream that he is planning on eating.



Lord, let Noble heal quickly. and uneventfully.  Amen.