One of the biggest challenges I face as a triathlete is with how much I get sick. I have little plague carriers in my house, and with their viruses, they tend to bring a dose of sleep deprivation, making me extra susceptible to the contagion they are hitting me with.
Having said that, I love my darling little plague carriers.
The problem with being sick is that it leaves you feeling completely out of shape, and like you can't do anything. Even if you logically know that your fitness doesn't disappear that quickly, having days where you're out of breath walking across the house makes you wonder how you ever managed to run, let alone doing it for hours at a time.
In preparing for my recent 10k race, I had looked at my blog from this time last year. It was the same. I was repeatedly sick, in fact, even more than I have been this year. Plus, I was dealing with knee issues that didn't get fixed until I changed my bike pedals. That issue had my missing a lot of biking and running. I was left floundering, and still managed to figure it out without hurting myself or giving up.
So, I'll get through this.
One major difference I have now is my coach. Rather then questioning whether I'm okay to just get back to my program, I sent her an email. I don't have to wonder whether I should reduce volume, or if I'm safe to do speed work. Instead, I can rely on her education, personal experience and experience coaching other athletes.
I trust she will also tell me that I am not completely out of shape. A week out of the game doesn't mean I've gone back to a sedentary lifestyle. And then, I'll have to believe it, because it's coming from somebody that I believe knows these things.
For now though, I'm going for a run. How far or fast, I don't know. We'll see what my lungs are telling me. I'm not 100% yet, but I'm ready to get back in the game.
I forget how old your little plague carriers are, but seem to remember them being in school. Maybe you need to talk to the school about some of their classmates. I wouldn't be surprised to hear there is one kid that the teachers, if asked privately, would say shouldn't be there, but the parents are la la la.
ReplyDeleteAt least your immune system is being kept topped up. And sometimes a sick rest is good to help you recover.
Glad to hear you're back at it.
I have only plague carrier but I definitely don't have the extent of workouts you do; still, I can appreciate what you are going through since I do to a lesser extent. Just do it gradually and persist. The amazing thing about the body I've learned is that almost always bounces back faster than the first time you learned it or did those distances, etc.
ReplyDeleteI got sick in early march. The old me would have tried to train through it a bit or start back early, the new me just went to bed for four days and did no training for five, then eased back in. It's better to rest and recover so we don't end up getting sick again soon! Glad you are on the road to recovery :)
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