I'm angry.
I'm angry at the flu, I'm angry at Winter, and I'm angry at myself. This post was supposed to be a recap for the Vancouver First 1/2 Half Marathon that occurred last Sunday, but the thing is, I didn't race.
I felt great on Saturday after the snowshoeing. Before I did that, I had worried I'd be really sore and it would effect my ability to run on Sunday. But as it turns out, it wouldn't even matter. I had organized all of my race stuff on Saturday evening, repacked my hydration pack etc. In fact, it's all still sitting there on the counter (as of Monday).
At about 11:00PM, I started to feel "off". By 12:00AM, all hell broke loose. All of the sudden, I found myself in the throws of the stomach flu. I was clammy all over and more nauseous than I have been in a really long time. All I could think was why is this happening now? The night before my 2nd race of the year. I took some Gravol and headed to bed hoping that something amazing would happen in the next 5 hours that would change how I felt.
Not surprisingly, 5:00AM came and went and I was no better than the night before. I had to make a decision even though I felt like it had already been made for me. I could go and end up sick on the sidelines most likely ending in a DNF or I could stay home and try to get through this in a more comfortable situation, the most comfortable you can possibly be when your body is emptying your insides in every way possible...
There were 3 local races that happened on Sunday. I did the First Half and Fort Langley Historic Half last year (they were on different days). My twitter and Facebook news feeds were full of shiny new PRs and amazing race stories. I tried my best not to feel sorry for myself because it's not like this doesn't happen to everyone at some point or another. You might remember that it has happened to me before. Frankly, when you plan 14 races or more per year, it is bound to happen, but that doesn't make it any less disappointing.
I'm trying to count my blessings, you know it's only the flu right? But I still wish I was there and that I ran an awesome race, instead of looking at my incredibly low mileage for last week and wondering what I could have done differently.
Maybe I could have been eating better and then I wouldn't have gotten the flu. Washed my hands more, been taking more vitamins... I don't know. Maybe I would have done all of those things, and still have gotten the flu.
All I can do is get healthy and move forward.
Has this happened to you? Would you have done the same thing or would you have attempted to race?
I've had that happen to me more than once. One time I was trained and primed for a full marathon. On the Saturday of the expo, I woke up so sick and dizzy that making it to the bathroom was a feat. Someone was kind enough to pick up my race packet for me. I thought worst case I'd just crash the half the next day. Race day I was no better, and I was just crushed. Since then, I'm always very wary about Jan/Feb races.
ReplyDeleteIt happens. I'm not sure there's a lot you can do about it in terms of eating or taking vitamins. This time of year, the germs are out there. People cough right next to you in the grocery store, germs are on surfaces like gas pumps and door handles. If you're around kids, they're just human petri dishes. You can only do the best you can do. I'm so sorry you missed your race. I hope you feel better.
RAcing when you are barfing, or flu-like is plain silly. you could damage yourself more than the crappy you are already feeling. I sure feel for you,,,but sometimes you have to. I missed one race last year - a 10 miler. I ha shingles and just couldn't run. I was so embarrassed that I never ran. But I was SICK. stupid, stupid flu! feel better xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you weren't feeling well!! If you can't keep anything down then running a half marathon would be zero fun at all. Maybe a 5K you can push through, but a half marathon is a long way to be uncomfortable and unwell for. Please don't beat yourself up for not racing. You made the right call. I doubt that there is much you could have done to prevent it, sometimes these things just strike us. I hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely made the right call by staying home. Running a half is hard enough when you’re feeling great let alone puking your guts out. It sucks but that’s the beauty of being a frequent racer! Onto the next one!
ReplyDeleteIt's heart breaking not to race but you did the right thing. There will be other races!
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