Not So Much Running…

By the time I got home from the Tulsa half marathon three weeks ago I was completely worn out. I took a nap, which I try to never do on Sundays, and I was still tired. When The Walking Dead was on later that night I had a cough and could barely stay awake long enough to see one of my favorite shows.

Monday rolled around and I called my doctor and got in to see him Monday afternoon. The diagnosis? Upper respiratory infection. Armed with a z-pak, prednisone and cough medicine with codeine I was on my way. Thinking I would be feeling better in a day or two.

I knew that I was in no mood for running. I had decided during the half marathon that I was going to take a little break. I was worn out and not having fun and really needed a little break.

Thanksgiving was a couple of days later, which meant the Turkey Day 5k. I had so much fun at this race last year. I was bummed that I was not going to feel up to running, so I talked Josh into signing up and going for a 3 mile walk with me.

The weather was wonderful!

He’s smiling even though I made him get up early.

Rochelle stopped by after her 8+ mile run to walk a few blocks with us.

There was a Tim sighting at the OK Runner water stop!

It was a great day, I just love seeing friends out at local races. While I was sad to not run that day I still wasn’t really missing running, my motivation was about zero. That’s fine though, with my hacking cough I thought it best to take it easy.

The following Thursday, I met Rochelle and Patti for a nice easy 4.5 mile run from my house. I was fine when we were moving but whenever we stopped I would again start hacking. It had been a week and a half since I had been to the doctor and I still had a cough, felt tired, and just didn’t feel like myself. I stuck to other non-running workouts and lots of baking until last Tuesday.

I called my doctor and told him I still wasn’t feeling better. He called in another antibiotic for me, which was filled by my pharmacy about the exact time Josh got home from work and swinging by Target to pick up more cough drops and Mucinex. Nothing better than a husband that will turn right around and drive across town again to pick up your meds.

The antibiotic was one I had never heard of and I could tell after just a few minutes that it wasn’t going to work for me. My tongue, ears and face started getting very itchy and while I tried to convince myself that maybe I was imagining it after a little bit of it not going away I had to take two Benadryl and turn myself into a walking zombie for the rest of the evening.

I again called my doctor and went to see him last Wednesday. Turns out my upper respiratory infection had turned into Bronchial Pneumonia. No wonder I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I left armed with another antibiotic and an inhaler. I even took a sick day last Thursday. I spend the day catching up with The Newsroom on HBO just in time to see the last episode of the series air last night.
It’s been three weeks since I started to not feel well, and how do I feel now? Not fabulous. I have gone through more tissues than I can count. (I actually ran out at work today.) I am completely sick of coughing until I feel like I might throw up, I am tired of feeling like I can’t take a deep breath, and

I am so tired of feeling tired.

And I am starting to be bummed about my lack of running. After three weeks off I am going to have to get back into shape before I can run with any of my group. It’s so frustrating.

Another Brookhaven 5K...

I have a love/hate relationship with the Brookhaven 5k. I ran my first race there back in 2009, and somehow have managed to not miss one since then. Even after my bike crash last year, I was back and laced up for a 26:40, and 6th place in my age group.

I picked up Rochelle and we met up with the group at about 7. Even during the warm-up it was hot, but I slogged through two easy miles.

We had one good photo op during the warm-up.

We made it back to the start, got in a few strides, and had time for some pre-race selfies. You should always carry your camera, and time management is important when you want starting line pics.

Kristy, me and Rochelle

Lauren, Kristy, Rochelle, me and Tiffany

It has been a few years since I actually felt ready to run Brookhaven. In years past I always managed to kill myself in the first mile, and I resolved to not to that this time. My plan was to settle into a comfortably hard pace for the first mile, hang on for the second, and hopefully kick it in on the last.

My watch clicked out a 7:47 on mile one, and I kinda felt like I was in trouble. If you unfamiliar with this race, it's sort of a big loop, but after the first mile you make a right hand turn and head straight into the sun before turning right again. Just when you think you are about done, you head back into the neighborhood and wind to the finish line.

My right hand turn into the sun about killed me. It was a perfectly clear day, and it was hot and humid. After all, this is Oklahoma. By the time I turned right again, my stomach started to not feel so well, I think the Advil I took when I got up was not agreeing with me. Mile two clicked off at 8:10, and I was ready to be done.

I had no kick for the last mile, I felt empty. Mile three was 8:15 and I was so glad to be almost done. I finished with at 25:23, and fourth place in my new age group. I was happy with how I did, and even happier to see all my super sweaty friends at the finish.

More pictures!

Rochelle and I.

Me, Kristy, Lauren and Ro

 I do love this race! I always see lots of friends, and it's put on by my favorite running store. I sure wish it was put on in weather that is more agreeable to running. There's always next year.



Why I Love My Local Running Store...

The Moore tornado on May 20th hit not too far from where I lived from 6th grade until I graduated from high school. My junior high was damaged and neighborhoods that my friends lived in when we were in school took direct hits.

I was excited to help my favorite local running store OK Runner distribute shoes and apparel to people affected by the storms. The shoes were donated by individuals and running stores across the country. The clothes were donated by Brooks and Moving Comfort. I love Brooks. I have been running in their shoes since my first 5k and I have been proud to be a Brook Fanatic for the last few years.

I have never seen so many boxes of running apparel in my life.

There was box after box of shirts, shorts and jackets that we handed out.

I never thought I would love Brooks more than I already did, but I was blown away by this amazing company and their generosity.

On Friday I took these clowns with me. Carson, Hailey and Camy helped all afternoon handing out clothes. They had a great time and worked very hard.

Trey, Jerry, Tim, Rochelle, Tiffany and me.

Rochelle and I went back on Saturday and helped fit people in shoes and help load up all the remaining shoes.

Tim and Gus, they spent two days away from their Norman and Edmond stores to help show Moore a little love.

It is exactly this sort of thing that makes me love my local running store. It's a local small business that organized this huge event, not the big chain athletic stores. It's the small businesses that are going to be there for their community when it counts.

Need new running shoes? I recommend you go talk to the people at your local running store, they are there because they love running and I bet they will take care of you too.

 

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