Another self-portrait from yesterday's "ride." We've had a lot of new snow this week, which means more walking than riding on these excursions. Walking, I've learned, is generally less fun. I've found creative portraiture helps pass the time.So I finally caught the office bug that has been making the rounds. This one already has taken me down much harder than the last one. It's actually pretty strange for me to be sick twice in the same season. My immune system is usually ironclad, but maybe all the recent stresses, moving, working, training, and other miscellanious tasks were more than my body could handle. Either way, I'm bummed about it. This was going to be my last week of training; regardless of what I end up doing this week, I'll have to launch into a pretty serious taper by this Saturday. And right now, my prospects are going rapidly downhill. Earlier today, I thought I could still train lightly through what seemed to be a minor cold. Then this afternoon, I had to eat a small packet of Sweet Tarts just to conjure up the energy to stand up out of my chair. I don't think those are going to sit in the stomach too well.
Maybe this is my body's unfair way of forcing me to slow down. Doesn't it realize that I still have so much to do? Even if I cut out training entirely, there's still so much to do in the realm of buying and planning and packing and studying and repairing and mailing and breathing deeply and chanting soothing mantras ... and there's another cold snap coming for testing and practicing and toughening up.
Right now, all I can think about is how disgusting Sweet Tarts are.
I hope I don't hate them forever. They're like the perfect energy food ... a cheap source of dextrose and maltodextrin with just the right hint of Red No. 40.
"Toughen up, just toughen up already."
I think I may be running a fever.
I guess that's all for today.
Fluids.. Fluids.. Fluids.. oh and did I mention Fluids?
ReplyDeleteAh, you'll be fine. Just let the bug run its course and don't stress about it. I ran my worst races after training hard right up to the planned taper, and my best after the same kind of last-minute colds and stuff. The extended down time is OK; you'll be stronger than ever at the starting line.
ReplyDeleteAnd Fluids!
Thats the funny thing about peak fitness, it's a fine line between stressing your body just enough or overstressing and falling into overtraining, injury, or sickness.
ReplyDeleteI know I've tried them all, and I prefer the peak fitness option. The rest of them are just plain annoying.
Rest up, do your streches, refuel. You know the drill, do what your body tells you.
You're doing great.
DG
Sorry about the blip in your training. You are healthy enough to beat it fast. They say "fluids." I say rest. Nyquil and 12 hours normally stop them cold for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's tragic that SweetTarts might elicit some adverse conditioned physical response. Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't happen.
Often when I've gotten sick like that during periods of intense training, I actually came back stronger; I think because my body was finally forced to get an extended period of rest. Don't try to push through it. Just relax, get lots of sleep and lots of fluids, and look forward to that incredible first day back you'll have once you're recovered.
ReplyDelete-Ryan
Sorry you are sick. Follow your friends' advice and get well quickly.
ReplyDeleteRest, fluids, rest, soup, rest....you know the drill. Feel better!
ReplyDelete...and ditto what Fonk said.
I've been reading your blog for what seems like forever. I'm finally going to comment. Get well.
ReplyDeleteXO Suzanne
P.S. Be kind to nature.
You have to be sick to do this race so I don't see the issue.
ReplyDelete