Stress fracture. Upper respiratory infection. Fever. Torn ACL. And that’s just the past 4 days.
(PS: DON’T Google “full body cast” at work unless you want an eyefull. Evidently that’s a fetish. Seriously.)
No, I’m not falling apart. I’m just deep in the throes of my least favorite part of running: pre-race paranoia. An achy foot, a few sneezes, a chill, and a twingy knee in the last 4 days all had me convinced that I’m destined not to make it to the starting line this weekend, when in reality I’m 100% ready.
And it doesn’t stop at imaginary illnesses either. Yesterday I’m not ashamed to admit that I left the office at noon and worked from home when one co-worker came in coughing every 3 minutes because of the “bad upper respiratory infection” he’s had for 6 days. If you’re here spreading germs, I’m out of here. The same goes for large crowds and public spaces – we avoided going pumpkin picking this past weekend because I was afraid of all the germy kids swarming around the farm. #sorrynotsorry.
Listen, any other week I wouldn’t care. I’m not 100% irrational. I know getting sick is a part of life and I won’t demonize the people around me for having weak immune systems. But if I paid $100+, trained for 3 months, and I’m traveling 2+ hours and staying overnight for a damn race, I’m going to do what it takes to stay healthy for the thing!
Am I the only one who goes insane with worry in the weeks leading up to a big race? What’s the most drastic thing you’ve done to stay healthy and in one piece before the big day? And no, I will not judge you if you say you wore a SARS mask in public, because I considered that but it would mean I’d have to go to a store filled with people to buy one.
Jess Runs Happy 
You’re not the only one! I definitely stress about all the little (and big!) things that can happen leading up to a race! I haven’t ever done anything really crazy, but I do try to up my vitamin C intake the week before a race. I’ve had 4 clementines already today 🙂
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I’m so glad I’m not alone! And good luck, enjoy those clementines 😉
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Just take it easy. Enjoy it. As you say, the hard part (training) is already done.
I was having (kind of) the same problems before my Staten Island half this past Sunday. I got injured two weeks ago and then I got a cold so I did nothing for 11 days, but still found the way not just to run the race but finished it strong with a new PR (2:03). The race day is just the cherry that adorns the cake.
Go and get it super girl. Have fun.
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Ah, the voice of reason has calmed my nerves once again, just like before the NYC Half last year 🙂 Thank you, friend – and congratulations on an amazing performance at the Staten Island Half! That’s a fantastic PR, you should be proud. I’ll be thinking of you when things get tough out there on Sunday, that’s for sure!
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I know everything is gonna be perfect. Glad I could help somehow but nothing compare with your determination. Over 2 hours of running for sure are gonna give you plenty time to think about a lot of things and if any of those minutes includes me I’m gonna be very honored.
Thank you for your congrats and support.
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fun post! =) i’m running a half on sunday and am sitting here at my desk surrounded by emergenc-c and hand sanitizer. so you’re not alone. 🙂 good luck!
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I’m so glad I’m not the only one! Daily Vitamin A, C, and probiotic supplements might be all placebos, but they’re all I’ve got right now to hang on to my sanity! lol
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I was sucking echinacea drops straight from the bottle, way overdosing in the process. I even got used to the vile taste… all so that I could make it through 8 weekends of races! I have one race left, I’ve made it so far and when the hayfever played up yesterday I was convinced I was coming down with the plague!
Good luck this weekend! I hope it’s awesome 🙂
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Ahh echinacea, I hadn’t thought of that! hehe I’ll have to add it to my arsenal 😉 Thank you!
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