Hit me with your best shot
I’ve read runners are particularly susceptible to colds and flu, especially after coming off of a marathon. And wouldn’t you know it — I’m yet another statistic.
I wasn’t surprised to feel the tell-tale tickle in my throat a couple of days after returning from France. I had done a 6-mile run earlier that morning, and by the afternoon I started feeling pretty achy. It developed into a full-blown sore throat/runny nose by Monday. I took off four days from running and exercise to help my body heal.
By Friday I was feeling pretty good, so I ran a little over 4 miles. On Saturday we did a quick 3-mile run on a hilly course, then I did 7 miles on Sunday, including some hill training (I’m kicking my training up a notch; I’ll post more about that in a separate post). I piled more miles on the following week: 6 on Monday, a little over 5 on Wednesday, 3 on Thursday and almost 9 on Saturday (with more hill training). My Saturday run was by far the best; it was a gorgeous fall day and I was feeling strong. Afterwards I commented to my darling it didn’t even feel like I had run that far.
Then Sunday hits. We awoke to cold, pounding rain. That should have been my cross-training day, so I thought I’d check out the hydro-fit/water exercise class at the pool. But just hearing the rain pelting our windows made me want to curl up on the couch. I finally made it out to purchase a water belt, vowing to take the class the following Sunday. By that evening I developed a cough and by Tuesday I was laid up on the couch with a 100-degree fever. (In fact, as I write this I don’t think my temperature has yet returned to normal).
So, I now have to decide if this is the year I finally get a flu shot. I go back and forth each year about it; on one hand I feel since I’m not at high risk for catching the flu (I don’t work around a lot of people), then I can forego it. Besides, I’m a bit concerned that getting a flu shot will make me sick (although I’ve heard there’s a low risk for this).
But then I get hounded by one of clients each year to get the shot; she can’t understand why I wouldn’t want one (she’s one of these people who let fear rule her world — she’s stockpiled supplies in case terrorists or the bird flu hit, but that’s another story). And since I am increasing my training (again, more on that later), I probably am opening myself up to all sorts of bugs.
So I’m curious, how many of you are planning on getting a flu shot this season?
October 4th, 2007 at 6:11 am
hey … so funny you should talk about having a cold. i have found myself with one as well! it arrived yesterday in the form of sore throat & runny nose … on the way to our big dog run this morning, i asked coach if he had a magic elixir to get rid of it fast. and of course, he does: snort warm salt water. you read that right … put warm water & salt in a cup – stir to dissolve salt, get a little spoonful & snort. fun. i tired this morning & will do so 3x a day till i feel better … he swears by it. thought i’d share. fair warning: its a trip. feel better!
October 4th, 2007 at 6:32 am
I actually tried that the night before my colonoscopy in April. I couldn’t take any cold medication because of the procedure, and I managed to come down with a horrendous head cold. I couldn’t sleep at all, so I was up at 2 a.m. searching the Internet for remedies to relieve sinus congestion. That was one of them! It did provide temporary relief.
October 4th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Hi Betsy, I thought you might be taking it easy after your triumphant return from Medoc. It sounds like you’ve been getting lots of running in between bouts of illness. I hope this is the last round, and that you are back up and running soon. In the meantime I’m sure you are eating plenty of yummy soup. I probably won’t get a flu shot, but since I work at home, I don’t get exposed to as many things as people who spend their days with other people.
October 6th, 2007 at 5:50 am
Hey Betsy, I rarely get the flu so I know I won’t be getting the shot. I do get colds (at least 3 a year) and they always end up in a sinus infection. Whenever I feel the scratchiness of a sore throat coming on, I take Airborne. Have you heard of it? You dissolve it in water like Alka Seltzer. Since discovering it last December, I have not had a cold since. That’s really saying something because I ALWAYS get colds every year. Oh, and you can get it at Costco (at least at mine).
October 6th, 2007 at 7:13 am
I was downing that and swabbing with Zicam the first time, which I think helped reduced the severity. But for some reason it came back a little over a week later.
October 21st, 2007 at 10:24 pm
No flu shot here. Most people I know get them. I never do and I never get the flu. Maybe I’m just lucky?
I just read eatdrinkrunwoman from start to finish. Enjoyed it immensely. I can see now that my own blog is as lacking as my workout routine. I’ll have to work on that. Congrats on your first marathon!
October 22nd, 2007 at 7:54 am
Thank you for stopping by!
October 22nd, 2007 at 7:57 pm
I talked with a nutritionist who told me to up my vitamin C 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after my marathon. I didn’t get sick!
However, after every long run (20 or more miles) I wake up with a HUGE coldsore. So gross and not so pretty.
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:13 pm
That makes sense; thanks for the tip!