This post was supposed to be a race recap of the inaugural Franklin Lakes Half.
I was supposed to write about how much fun it was to run a race in my hometown, when I struggled through the mile in high school and briefly joined the track team only to remember I hated running.
I was supposed to write about how 3 miles used to be such an unattainable distance for me, but that today I ran it as a warm-up for a half so that I could get in a total of 16 miles for the day.
I was supposed to write about how I practiced my marathon goal pace for 13.1 miles.
I was supposed to write about how much fun it was for my parents to cheer me on in my hometown.
But life doesn’t always go the way it’s supposed to, does it??
Yesterday I came out to my parents’ and had a bit of a sore throat. Maybe I was just a little dehydrated, I thought. My nose was a little stuffy, but maybe it was just allergies.
I went to sleep before 10, hoping that all I needed was a good night’s rest.
I woke up this morning at 6, and my throat felt raw and dry, and I couldn’t stop sneezing. I thought maybe I just needed some water, and I’d feel better. I laid in bed debating with myself whether this was something I should push through, or something that would make me worse.
But I had a good week of running, and I was going to get to nearly 40 miles this week.
But it’s so close to the marathon.
But I really wanted to run this race.
Maybe I could skip the 3-mile warmup and just run the 13.1. Maybe I could start and then drop out if I really had to.
I probably could have completed the race still, but I knew that another 2.5 hours of running would be worse for my immune system (anything above 90 minutes compromises your immunity, not enhances it. Exercise also reduces your zinc levels, and zinc helps keep your immune systems strong, so I’m sucking on a zinc drop right now.)
I have a big Junior League presentation to the board tomorrow and a big meeting this week. I have a big goal on November 3 and several more weeks of peak training to get through.
It sucked and it was disappointing to sit out today’s race (especially when my mom and I had to drive across the race to get to CVS to pick up some vitamins and DayQuil), but I think it’s worth it in the long run.
Have you ever DNS-ed a race?
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Thanks for posting! I had my first DNS today too-the Bronx 10 miler which starts right near my apartment. It's one of my favorite races because I love 10 milers and because (duh) it starts right near my apartment. My knee has been bothering me and I decided yesterday that it wasn't worth it to test it as the marathon is priority. This makes me feel so much better about my decision. It was really hard! Hope you feel better :).
@Rebecca: Sorry to hear you had a DNS today, too. It's not easy, but it is certainly easier when it's not your priority race. Hope your knee feels better, too!
I'm sitting on my couch right now instead of showering like I would have if I had run 17 miles this morning with a chest cold. It was such a tough decision and I hate missing long runs but I know (or am hopeful) that it'll help speed up my recovery for the MCM in a month! Good luck with the rest of your training. Glad to know I'm not the only one with troubles!
We just have to remind ourselves that all training plans are built to allow a little wiggle room for stuff like this. We'll be okay :) Feel better!!
This was quite a big decision for you to make and I think you did the right thing! I hope you are feeling better. Be proud of yourself for thinking ahead. You def would have felt worse and your future self will totally thank you. Lately I have lost my racing itch and I do not know why. Instead of fighting it, I have been very relaxed about it and have not run a few of the races that I planned on running. I am not injured (knock on wood) and I know I can run them all in killer times but I just don't feel like it right now. I am satisfied and thrilled to wake up each day and simply step outside my front door and run my heart out. And that right now, is enough for me. Will it change? Maybe. I am a Gemini so I can change my mind as often as I want when one least expects it lol.
And I think that's just fine, too :) None of us are professional runners, so if you're not training for something and the races (or the idea of them) aren't bringing you enjoyment right now, it's totally fine and beats burning yourself out doing something you don't want to do.
Good to be able to visit with my daughter and hand her
some tea and honey. Works for me!!
Afterall tomorrow is another day!
I'm sick too! What the hell? I'm also freaking about about race stuff... bad timing (but I guess better than on actual goal-race day). You absolutely made the right choice and your entire week will be better as a result.
That article you linked to is very science-y.
Oh no! I'm so sorry that you're sick :/ You definitely made the correct decision to DNS, regardless of how crappy it felt to do so. I will be DNSing my marathon in 2 weekends which I am SUPER bummed about. My iron levels are super low and my doctor told me running extreme distances will only hinder the process of getting my levels back up. I'll still be there to cheer everyone on but I won't be doing the running!
I did the same thing today. DNS the Rock n Roll Providence half due to a cold I have been fighting all week (it won). Been on a steady diet of zinc tabs, Dayquil, Nyquil and Emergen-C all week to no avail. Disappointed but I made the right call. Gutted out a 5 mile run instead and that was all I could muster.
Sorry to hear about the unfortunate timing of the illness. I hope you can get right back to it soon!
I didn't know that running for over 90 minutes compromises your immune system! Thanks for sharing those links. Sounds like a good call. I hope you feel better!
Good for taking a long-term view of things. I took a DNS back in March after a slip on black ice left me weeks behind in my training. Never and easy choice!