Forget Couch to 5K - How do I get from 0 to 8K?

morningstar

morningstar

Cathlete
So, I'm really sick and have been for a week now. I have some sort of awful rhinovirus. The doctor put me on a steroid puffer to help with the coughing, and it has helped, a little. Here's the thing: I have an 8k race coming up in two weeks. I was prepared for the race before this illness happened, but I haven't been able to work out, walk, run or anything for a week and this illness shows no real signs of stopping anytime soon. Forget the fact that my boss is ready to murder me (therefore making the race irrelevant if she carries out the evil deed), does anyone have any ideas of how I can go from 0 to 8k in one week? Assuming, of course, that I can actually start working out a week from now. I know I could walk it, if I had to, but I'm not a power walker and I would likely be the last to finish.
 
I have to say, I don't think you will be taking part in that 8k race as a runner. So what if you walk it? Who cares? Does pride matter more than health? You have to be able to walk before you can run. Walking the race would be a sign of recovery.

If you are not able to even do a simple, easy run a week from now, then please remove the race from the table and focus on being able to breathe!

Please don't let the stress of this race hanging over you put a stop on your healing. Deal with your health issue. You can schedule another race later in the year once recovered and back in full training.

If you head to runnersworld.com you will find features and articles suggesting ways to psychologically deal with race day disappointments and deals like this one. S

Health comes first.

Clare
 
I guess I'm almost looking for permission to not do the race. I have other races lined up, but I've been looking forward to this one for 6 months and trained through ITBS to do it. It's on a beautiful trail in a park that I run in frequently and I just really really want to run it. I don't want to walk it, because what would be the point? I walk at least 7k every weekday, walking is not a challenge to me at all. It would just make me feel worse not to be able to run it. It's not about ego, so much as that I love running and would feel bad to be around all those people who get to run the race.
 
I'm so sorry to hear that you've been sick! I must agree with Clare! Focus on getting well, then see if you fee up to the race, but take it easy and don't push yourself more than you can do. If you aren't well enough, just don't go. Better to take the time to get well than to relapse from pushing yourself to hard!
 
Morningstar:

good for you that you have managed a level of training through and beyond ITBS, that is not easy. Your training will have stood you in good stead and you will recover quickly, once you are able to start training again, but even once you feel like you can, it will probably take a good two weeks until you are pushing hard with your running again, both time and distance. Don't sweat it. It is a disappointment, I know and I know how depressing those can get. I am currently injured from running with a double hip bursitis and it has me depressed as hell trying to find other ways to workout that even approximate to the same level of enjoyment and satisfaction. Don't walk the trail then. Aim to run this particular race again next year and when the race is going on, stay home and watch a fine movie instead, or read a fabulously engrossing novel, one of the all time greats so that you feel that you have at least enriched your life in some way on that afternoon in question. Feed the mind if you can't work the body. That's good too.

If you want it, here it is: you are hereby totally justified in not running this race. To try to do so could make you even more sick.

Clare
 
If you were training and on track for the race before the illness hit, you'll be fine to run it IF YOU ARE UP TO IT! You won't run it was well as you could have if it weren't for the illness, but if you are feeling fine by then, by all means, run. But if you AREN'T feeling great, then I'd highly recommend bagging out. As others have mentioned, it could set you back and you'll be out for even longer - ugh.

If you do start feeling well, then just do easy runs to get back in the groove - don't push anything and don't do any hard core workouts. I hope you are feeling better soon!!!! I've had to drop out of races due to illness before and it just sucks. :(
 
MStar- don't make yourself sicker. Skip the race. Select a different one. A lot of runners have to push a race later into the year for injury and illness.

Hey, at least you weren't hit by a car like the Two Gomers!

I hope you feel better soon, hugs from a safe distance from your bugs (I rhymed :p)
 
Well, here I am a week later, still sick, still coughing, still runny nose, still can't taste anything, still pathetic. My body is getting flabbier and my spirit is weakening. Bloody hell.
 
I'm so sorry! I know it sounds trite, but I really know what you are going through. Last year I had signed up (paid) for two races. I was trained and ready to go, my ITBS was under control and then I got sick, really sick...and ended up having my thyroid removed.

I would cry watching other people workout or run because I could barely move. The day of the first race came and went, I could barely get out of bed. The second race came and I wasn't in shape at all. My mom brought me the t-shirt but I couldn't even wear it because I didn't feel worthy. I finally came to terms with the fact that it wasn't going to be my "fittest year yet" as I had planned.

This year I am so much better and even though my ITBS is a little worse, I'm making THIS year my fittest year yet.

Hang in there even though it sucks right now. It will get better and you can do that race next year.

Healing hugs:)
 
Doing the race will set you back more at this point, and then future races could be in jeopardy. Give yourself the permission to slow down, rest and heal. This race will be around next year, and the year after and so on.

I was sidelined with pneumonia one year for 3 months. Once I was able to get back into the water and swim, all I could do was 1000 yards. It was pitiful. But it came back, and I was able to swim and race again. You have the rest of your life, rest now.
 
I did it after all! I felt about 90% healthy with only a little gunk at the bottom of my lungs. And it was great! I did almost exactly what I hoped to do and it was a beautiful warm day on a lovely course. Just what I needed to feel myself again.
 
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