Fortunately Mr. Mucus came for a single-man getaway and didn't bring the wife. Pneumonia on one side was plenty exhausting for me! |
Thanks to this guy deciding to drop by unannounced for an extended vacation, I spent the last three weeks (including my birthday weekend) coughing and blowing my nose, either curled up on the couch in my pj's or wishing I was. I had to take several days off work and should have taken even more.
I was not very active. Every day I thought maybe that would be the day I'd at least go for a walk. Then my cat Murray would do something funny, I'd start laughing - which would lead to coughing - and next thing I knew I was collapsed on the floor, unable to stop, and scrambling for my inhaler. So running and working out? ha! Not gonna happen.
Murray's favorite Wii acvitity |
I have to say, I was really good about taking care of myself. I'm not always so good about that. I tend to push myself too hard, not give myself the rest I need, not fuel myself properly for workouts, over-train, etc. But with pneumonia, I didn't want to mess around. I waited until my lungs were clear before easing back into indoor cardio workouts - elliptical, spinning, and boot camp. Even then I was still coughing and tired out very easily. So I kept my heart rate lower and took breaks when I needed. They weren't my best workouts but they were way better than lying around on the couch. And although they tired me out it was in a good way. I slept better after and had a little more energy.
Still, I wasn't running. I skipped the Detroit Free Press 1/2 Marathon that I was signed up for. I was bummed out to miss it but it was just last Sunday, only 6 days after finishing my antibiotics. And I was still coughing and using my inhaler. Perhaps not the best idea.
Saturday in boot camp I ran one mile inside. Despite being boring on the track, it went well and I only coughed a little bit from it. That was encouraging.
Sunday morning I decided to lace up my running shoes and get outside. I have to say I was nervous. After 3 weeks of being sick and sedentary (and perhaps not making the most healthy of eating choices), I didn't think it was going to go very well. But what did I have to lose? I could turn back, cut the run short at any time. The temperature was mid-50's and the sun was shining bright, so it was perfect. I set my new iPod Nano to shuffle, clipped it on my shorts (half the size of my 1st gen and finally hands-free - yay!), and off I went.
As soon as I got out there I knew it was going to be a good run. I didn't pay much attention to my heart rate or pace during the run. I just went. By the time I got home I ended up doing 2.5 miles with a pace of right around 9 min/mile. Not bad for my first time out. The most important thing, however, was that I felt GREAT!
I ran another 4 miles today at an 8 min/mile pace and felt even more comfortable. I just registered for two 10K's this coming weekend - Run of the Dead on Saturday and the Wicked Halloween Run on Sunday. I can't wait for both of them!
So, Mr. Mucus, you may have knocked me off the road for a while but in the words of George Castanza, "I'm back, baby!"
Good-bye, Mr. Mucus! |
Have you had a setback/had to take time off from your running?
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