The Off-Season

I entered my true off-season last Sunday with different fanfare than I expected. Last Saturday, I was supposed to cap off my race season with a PR half-marathon. Instead, after about 4 miles of the race, high heart rates and coughs, sneezes and wheezes associated with the virus I managed to catch the week before, I called it quits, DNF'd and took a leisurely stroll/jog back down to the finish line to cheer on my fellow training buddies as they crossed the finish line. I've never DNF'd before and I felt some sheepishness, but I'm certain it was the right thing for my body. My body was still fighting hard whatever bug was attacking, and it needed rest more than anything. There will be another day in my future to push myself hard.

Much of the rest of the weekend (with the exception of our fabulous end of the year TG brunch) and Monday I spent resting with a Kleenex box not too far away. I dragged myself to the doctors on Monday since after a week and a half, I still hadn't seen measurable improvement and when I coughed I sounded like I had the plague or black lung. After Monday's day off and the assistance of some new meds, I finally started to perk back up on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This week I took full advantage of my off-season break. Only two workouts - a tennis match Wednesday night and a trainer ride Friday morning - and neither one of them too strenuous or early in the morning. Next week I hope to get back to a little bit more regular workouts but plan to keep it loose and fun between now and the end of the year. I'm also looking forward to a little revamping of my blog and setting my next year's races and goals.

So . . . if I'm a little quiet on the blog front, I'm probably out enjoying the off-season. Hope you are too!