I was supposed to be running at Yarrabilba this weekend. Entry had been paid and the last 4-6 weeks of training had really been targeting a strong performance at the weekend.
I’d been doing all the right things – my main sessions consisted of…
– A weekly run of 3-4hours averaging 300-400metres per 10kms to replicate the average gain at Yarrabilba;
– Splicing in a hill repeat session to work on my uphill power as strength;
– As well as a weekly ‘speed’ session to help improve my overall general speed.
– Other sessions included some easy recovery runs as well as core strength workouts.
The point is, I was working diligently and had really been counting down the days to the race.
Unfortunately, about a week out, the bug hit our family – first it took out the kids, and then my wife. Deep wet cough, blocked sinus’, general fatigue. Suffice to say I was starting to worry!
Not only that, but I had a full day wedding to photograph on the Saturday before the race, while my wife had a baptism to photograph on Sunday (aka race day).
The stars were not aligning and to top it off, Thursday I started to develop a little wet cough myself.
To cut a long story short, my wife saw the Doc and was diagnosed with a bacterial infection and prescribed a bunch of meds and plenty of bed rest. There was no way she was going to be able to work on Sunday and we were left with no other alternative than for me to take the job for her. The previous days long wedding coverage had started to take its toll, and as soon as the baptism shoot was over – my body let lose and my wet cough developed and my infection took hold.
Even though my wife was sick – we were thinking she’d be better by the weekend and well enough to cover the baptism. I think in the end it was just as well that she couldn’t work – because I maybe have been tempted to run the race despite my worsening condition.
I’ve had a few days to think since then and I’ve made my mind to never start a race unhealthy. Races will come and go, but if you want to give it a good crack don’t fool yourself into thinking you might be OK. I’m going to take all the hard work I did and bank it for another race in a few weeks time when I’m better. Had I tried to race, I might have ended up much worse and been at risk of losing all my fitness. As it is… its been 4 days now and I’m starting to feel much better again. Ready to start building up my next training cycle next week and preparing for that next race.
My takeaway – respect the race and respect my health. I want to be in this for the long term!
There’s always next year!!
