Feeling sick

Ugh, the allergies have turned into a cold or flu thing that seems like it is moving into my chest. Two days until my first race and I am having some serious doubts about whether or not I can or should do it. I actually think I still may be able to run it, just run through it and do an easy pace; 70% of max HR maybe as a target? I have done two runs since coming back from Seattle and I am now thinking I won't do another until the race (if I do it).

I have been drinking a lot (airborne and tea) and trying to eat warm foods on the advice of my future acupuncturist. She recommends nothing raw though I still think I'll drink my green drink (actually this batch is all fruit and no veggies, I really need to go to the store.)

I have also been doing some stretching to hopefully help keep limber. I was really sore this morning, sort of achy. Our run last night was really slow so I am pretty sure that had little effect on my muscles. I rubbed in some arnica gel and that seemed to help.

Unexpected break

Yesterday was the first time I had run in six days, not the best time for a break considering that I have my first race of the season coming up. I was in Seattle this weekend so I knew I wouldn't be running Fri-Sun, then for some reason I didn't run the two days before. To make things worse I drank way too much beer in Seattle (as well as milk in lattes, animals, perfume on the train and seasonal allergies) which all contributed to a major allergy break out. I have been sneezing and blowing my nose since Sunday. Ugh.

So yesterday I ran eight miles relatively slowly. My lungs were a bit congested from all the allergy crud, but it went well. Getting out and running seems to help with the allergies a bit. I think getting away from the animals and their dander helps too. Even though I feel somewhat worse today, I think I will try to get out and do another one today.

My plan for the week is to not overdo it before the 15K Shamrock Run on Sunday. I want to get my head clear before Sunday, but I am pretty worried about being able to do so. I am hoping to get at least three runs in before the race, but I don't want any of them to be longer than six miles with maybe some speed work included. It really sucks to have worked so hard to get into racing shape and then just let it go a week before my first race. Oh well, I am not all that concerned about this one and plan to "run through it" and treat it like just another run.

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Enjoyable long run

Sunday was time for another long slow run. I usually enjoy these runs quite a bit, slow relaxed pace, good conversation, the joy of covering lots of miles.
This was an especially enjoyable one. It was relatively warm, the sun was mostly out, there were a lot of runners out, my running partner brought her new dog who is adjusting well to me and others. All the makings for a nice run and a great day.

We headed up to Lief Erickson trail in Forest Park, a mile and a half of uphill neighborhood running before we got to the trail head. We like this trail with the Declan as it is a wide hard packed dirt road that allows him room to avoid others if he gets spooked. It also has quarter mile markers all along the way which is nice and needed when you forget your watch (I felt naked without my constant stream of numbers to look at, but that also added to the relaxation of the run.)

Our run was punctuation with frequent stops to see other dogs and people. Declan did great and had a really good time, tail out for most of the time. We joked about my running partner telling the tale of Declan's rescue over and over again, she has it down to an elevator pitch. I could have heard it a hundred more times that day. At three miles up the trail we turned around and headed back. It was a little muddy that day but not as bad as it has been in the past. It is sort of fun getting mud all over yourself, makes you feel like a warrior. Speaking of, a run that would be fun, but I doubt I will do it: Warrior Dash.

Down the trail and back to the car we headed to the running store to see if we could get them to honor a coupon that we no longer had, but we got the wrong sales person, grrr. So new shoes for her and new socks for me are going to wait. Next came sushi again, I love the train of food that passes you constantly. After dropping Declan off we headed to Best Buy to get her a replacement laptop for the one that just died. The almost half off deal was a nice capper for the day (for me anyway, she still had manure to buy which wouldn't fit int he car with me so I got away with not helping, I tried!)

Anyway, great run.