womp womp

Well, so much for that January marathon I was training for and hoping to run. The week of Thanksgiving I got a cough, from a simple cold. I didn't let it hold me back. I still ran a 15-mile long run. The cough really didn't seem like a problem. I ran two 6-milers on the treadmill the next week, because it was dark and rainy all the time. I survived. But then the rain stopped, and I ran outside. In below-freezing temps. Turns out that's not a good idea if you already have a chesty cough...

I got worse. I skipped my 17-mile long run. I didn't run for an entire week. I just coughed and felt congested. Then on the Friday that I was finally ready to attempt a few miles indoors on the treadmill I started to have pain in my side every time I coughed. So I didn't run. The next day was 70 degrees outside (in December?!) so I attempted an easy 4 miles. It made me cough a little, which wouldn't have bothered me much except for that new sharp pain in my side.

Also, my IT band wasn't happy. That was disappointing. I'd been doing lots of lunges and single-leg squats even when I couldn't run, which I assumed was making me stronger and would help keep the IT band in line. But no.

The rest of the weekend was filled with painful coughing. But don't worry, I never had a fever and the doctor (and an x-ray) confirmed I didn't have pneumonia. Now my cough is gone for the most part, except when I'm outside in the cold. Then I get a tingle in the throat and cough a little. And I think my side is getting better, but it's still uncomfortable to cough. I'm not even going to try to run for the next few days.

So, after what will be three long runs missed and only four weeks away from the January marathon, I'm calling it quits. It's okay I guess. I knew there was a chance my body wouldn't hold up to the marathon training, but I didn't realize actual sickness would also get in the way. Oh well.

(Also, I've learned about coughs and being sick and how I can sometimes get away with pushing through things but other times I need to give into rest. Lessons learned...)

Thanksgiving Weekend

This year I spent Thanksgiving with family in Richmond. I arrived Wednesday evening, in time for music time. We've been having lots of music time over there lately.

If you can think of a hymn, we probably have it in one of these...

Thursday (Thanksgiving!) I went for a five mile run, then made rolls. There were seven of us for dinner. It was nice. After the meal my aunt let us "kids" take Cooper for a walk instead of doing dishes, which was super nice of her. Cooper was happy, too.

Walkin'

Hanging out with Grandpa before the big meal.

Friday I slept until 12:30. Yikes. I got up for a couple hours, and then took a nap. I guess I was tired.

Saturday I got up early and headed out for a long run. I parked downtown and did an out-and-back on the Cap-to-Cap trail. My fifteen miles went fine! (Despite the cough I'd been having for a few days.)

Richmond in the distance.

Family-friends came over for a good lunch, and more music time. After my nap I thought I was going to head back to C'ville, but I stayed another night. Most of my nights were spent watching TV or movies.

Sunday I slept in again. Then we had lunch at home, followed by a quick game of Rook. I finally left that afternoon.

It was a pretty laid-back weekend, which was perfect.