Tuesday, February 2, 2010

More Challenges

These challenges for the marathon just keep coming.

I've been worried about the weather of course but I think I've come to grips with that. I heard a weather report on Monday that said if we get rain, it will be light and not the storm that pelted us a couple of weeks ago. Light rain, off and on, I can deal with. A steady downpour is a different thing, but that's not what we're going to get apparently. And even if it does rain a ton, I'll deal with it.

But now there's something else threatening to derail my hopes. The girls have been sick. In fact, Kennedy's sick today and is not going to school. About the only good thing about that is that I don't have to do my soccer game now, which means less wear on my legs and more rest for my legs and my mind. But Kennedy had a fever of 102.7 last night at one point. She woke up with 101, so no school. I don't have a surgical mask but I would wear one if I could. I've been wearing a handkerchief around my mouth a bit, but that only serves to make my face really warm so it's not working.

I actually think I caught a little bit of it, but that may be my head playing tricks on me instead. I've had no fever but I felt a headache and some coughing, and the faintest twinge of a sore throat. But that might be some sort of phantom illness my mind is using to play tricks on me.

Which reminds me... I heard of some sort of sympathy illness soon-to-be-fathers feel when their wives/spouse/girlfriend/whatever is pregnant. I got sick once, early in Mrs. LB's first pregnancy, like really sick. A fever, coughing... and it came from out of nowhere. One night, I'm fine and the next morning I'm burning up. And then it was gone, by the middle of the day. I don't know if it's an old wives tale or what, but whatever it was, it got me.

So, aside from any potential psychosematic illness I might face, I am feeling a bit sluggish. I think it comes from the lack of running. I was, after all, running quite a few times during the week all month, until last week. This week I'm limiting myself to one run, maybe two, but they will both be short.

And as far as the weather... latest forecast for HB is:

AccuWeather: Race Day, Partly sunny and cool, high of 62, low of 50

The Weather Channel: Race Day, Few showers, high of 63, low of 44.

10 comments:

Jen Feeny said...

For almost two weeks leading up to Chicago I took Airborne everyday and I'm not even kidding when I say that I brought a small bottle of lyesol on the plane with me (how did that make it past security) and I sprayed the seat I sat in! Load up on your vitamins and maybe get some Airborne and try not to think about it too much.

Katie A. said...

Oh no! So sorry about your little one!
Wash, wash, wash your hands and then wash them again. Do the 20 second rule of lathering, too! I would also reccomend Emergen-C, it's 1000 mg of vitamin C in a packet you mix with water. It fizzes and it pretty tasty - stay with orange or tangerine. You can find a box of it at Trader Joes. My husband and I swear by it. The second I feel a tickle or anything, I am drinking those likey they are going out of business! I can take 4-5 packets in one day. It's all natural, and you can't OD on vitamin C, your body process it too fast. Check it out.
Maybe an extra run or two will help you, not too long but enough to get your metabolism going. People who exercise stay healthier, so get the blood moving more and get those toxins out! Good luck! Let me know if you want more info on the Emergen-C. It's a box of packets.

Unknown said...

I'm echoing the above. Wash your hands, carry hand sanitizer with you, do not touch your face, take the vitamin supplementation suggested, neti pot if you got it, etc...

You're NOT going to let this derail you! You tell that nagging virus who's boss.

On that note, I'm going back to bed to nurse my sinus/ear infection because I didn't heed my own advice.

Tricia said...

Sounds like youre getting a lot of good advice. Hope everyone gets to feeling better soon!

Christy said...

I was so cautious before my marathon. Airborne, hand sanitizer, not touching my face, staying hydrated....

but I still got sick the Tuesday before I was supposed to run Disney. Sometimes, no matter what you do, you might still get sick.

I was sick for my marathon. And I was worried about how it would affect my running. I was coughing, had a runny nose, felt a slight fever...but I still ran it. And I still did great.

The number one thing to remember, don't let something like that get you down. You can do this. Even if you're body wants to fight off an infection, once you get to mile 3 or so, you're body will kick in, forget about the infection, and get you to the finish line. I promise.

And I sort of disagree with Katie A., if you feel sick, GET REST. Those last extra training runs don't matter.

Heck, I'm a pro running while sick. I ran the Wasatch Back with the flu!! (probably not my best idea...)

Good luck! I'm so excited for you!

Lisa said...

OMG, just about every blog I've read recently is about injury or illness.

Definitely does up on the vitamin C and wash your hands ALL THE TIME.

Take care!

Willoughby said...

Don't hit the panic button just yet! You've still got some time and you're not really sure that you're sick.

I agree with everyone else, take the standard precautions and wash your hands frequently, use hand santizer, etc., etc. I would caution you about the all natural vitamin supplements, though. Some of them have extremely high levels of vitamins/minerals and you don't want to end up with unwanted side effects (I speak from experience, I got pounding headaches and felt anxious and agitated while I was taking one).

I'll keep my fingers crossed for good health and good weather for you! I hope Kennedy feels better soon, too!

Zoƫ said...

Take it easy, LB! I hope your girls feel better soon.

I agree with the above comments on taking vitamins and drinking lots of water/tea.

And the weather looks FANTASTIC! You got this.

Tattoos and Teething Rings said...

Sorry the Ickies are going around at your house- hope everyone is well again soon!

Kerrie said...

Tall Mom posted something about Emergen-C today. Maybe you should check it out. :(