Friday, February 06, 2009

... and Now for the Downer

I guess it was only a matter of time. About a week ago I noticed that Maia and me were the only healthy members in the household. Over the weekend, Maia joined to other side and on Wednesday it was finally my turn. I did notice a sore throat on Tuesday evening, “uh-oh”, and the suspicions were realised during a rather bad night. Now I know why Maia was screaming hysterically, though I managed to keep my self in somewhat better control.

Niamh tried to talk me out of running in the morning which was a completely wasted effort because running was the last thing on my mind. I stayed home from work, and I fact slept almost the entire morning, and still rested some more in the afternoon. On Thursday I WOULD have stayed at home had this been a normal working day, but it was the second day of a 3 day-seminar (each day a week apart) which I really did not want to miss. I got through it by taking a couple of ibuprofen every few hours, something I usually abhor. It was the same every time, the pills would take about an hour to really kick in, then I would feel almost ok for 2 or three hours, and then the downfall came until the next dose kicked in.

Today I’m just staying home again, recuperating. So far I haven’t run for 3 days and I’m pretty sure my lay-off will be longer than that. The mere fact that I really do NOT want to go running at the moment speaks volumes about how I feel. I will see how long I’m out of commission for, and then re-evaluate the rest of my training.

On the plus side I much rather have this happen to me now than in April. A few days off now won’t have much effect, and maybe the enforced rest will be good for my legs. I’m a bit worried about the duration of this illness, because all the kids were still coughing for quite some time after the first outbreak. Out of curiosity, I measured my resting HR this morning. My lowest ever reading was 38, before the Dublin marathon. Around Christmas it was 41, and the last two weeks it was 43 (probably a sign that I was already fighting off some infection). Today it was 69 – quite some jump, don’t you think? Not that I needed the number to confirm my decision to rest, I was merely curious.

One more plus, I finally found the time to cobble together some bits of Maia videos that have been on my hard drive for a bit. Don’t expect a masterpiece, but I like it anyway.


4 Feb
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5 Feb
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6 Feb
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17 comments:

  1. Great video! Cute kids- Hope you get better quick!

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  2. I had the same thing in January. two different doses of drugs to shake it off. While it is the hardest thing to do (mentally) rest is the real cure.

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  3. Hi - new reader here. http://irun4fun-deldean.blogspot.com/
    Congrats on those marathon times coming down so close to 3 hours. What's been the major factors to make that happen?
    I am training for my first 26.2 but have been running 10 yrs. Mostly I'm focused on the long run because I've never been a high mileage runner.
    BTW, a few friends will be over your way this year for Loch Ness, but I want to do my race this May (also can't travel oversea's to race).

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  4. Hope you feel better soon Thomas. You are obviously down and out if you aren't heading out for a run. Great video of Maia!

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  5. I'm sure the rest will do you good. Plenty of time before Boston so no worries.

    If I spun around that many times I'd split my head open. Maia seems to be able to fight off the dizzyness well.

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  6. She's cute as can be, with a good brother as well.

    Nice music, good Joseph Arthur.

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  7. rest well and don't push it too early 'cause you'll just take longer to recover and you need to be fit from Balycotton (not to mind Boston!!)

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  8. Hi Thomas,

    Well needed rest is the best weapon against a cold. I hope you get well soon.

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  9. I can't decide whether Maia's talent leans towards dancing or running.

    Yes, better now than April. 72 days to go. Get well soon!

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  10. You're playing it smart not trying to run. This is obviously a nasty flu and the rest will do you wonders. The video is great! Definitely some running talent there.

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  11. Dancer or runner, it's a toss up! Nice video, now take your time coming back and rest well.

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  12. Very nice video, Maia is a beautiful kid.

    I had a flashback listening to the music though....it involved a club in Baltimore and, well, I can't remember the rest.

    Hope all get well soon.

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  13. Sounds like the sort of virus i had before new year, expect a week before you feel like running again and that cough might hang on for a week longer.
    I think if your fit you can avoid the virus for longer than 'normal' people, but it gets you in the end!
    I week off wont do you much harm and you will be back at full strength within 2 week!

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  14. You're getting wiser with age. Rest weel and come back strong.

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  15. Hopefully you're getting better, Thomas. The legs should enjoy the brief rest.

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  16. Nice vids Thomas. Sorry to see you sick, but by now these occasional bouts should seem almost normal while raising a family. You're showing your intelligence by not running in this state. You'll be back before you know it.

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  17. more video! i could watch maia all day long! i love the blanket over the head bit! ha ha ha!

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