Monday, March 15, 2010

Strong vs. Stupid

On Sunday I had 8 miles planned. On Friday, I started getting cold symptoms, which turned into a sore throat, tight chest, runny nose and cough. I took off from running Friday and Saturday, but decided to still go running on Sunday. Sunday morning as I was trying to decide, I was debating if attempting to run was me being tough or me being stupid.

I ended up heading out for and completing the 8 miles without any real problems. The run actually seemed to help with my cold symptoms.

Does anyone else struggle with these types of decisions? To me, deciding to still run was me being mentally tough and not letting things get in the way of accomplishing my goals. To my non-runner family, attempting 8 miles while sick is just plain stupid.

Backing up a bit... I started running in middle school and got even more serious about it in high school. I had a great coach, a great team and a teenage body...I had it all going for me. Except...I was a sissy. Any time anything popped up that allowed me to get out of running for the day, I took it. I look back at my 16-year-old self and think "Why did you throw away such great opportunities??"

But...I can only work with what I have now. When I was 16, I had the body to be a runner, but not the heart. Now, I have the heart of a runner and the body of a 30-something mother of 2. However, I am determined not to be a sissy ever again. No regrets....

13 comments:

Jessica said...

I follow the "below the neck rule". If it's a sickness that involves more than my head I take off. I do trade in quality workouts for easy runs when I'm sick though.
A lot of the time running actually makes me feel better.
Yay for being hardcore, lol ;)

Julie said...

Hi Sarah,
Nice job on your eight miler:) Way to get out there when you were not feeling the best! Yes, I do agree...there have been several times that I havn't felt well but went on to run anyway. I ended up feeling a little better after:) I know it sounds crazy! Have a great week!

Heather said...

Yay to no more sissiness! I am exactly the same way. When I was in high school, I played on the tennis team and I would do whatever it took to get out of running our 1 mile warmup. So lame!

MCM Mama said...

I'd have run too. Good job getting the run in!

Cheri said...

My whole life is on not being decisive. I use to be a decision maker but the older I get... not so much. So, do you feel better now that you ran the 8 miles? Maybe the fresh air and running got things moving and cleared. Hope your feeling better real soon. Your a better woman than me.

Michelle said...

As long as it is just sinus/head issues, I usually run. Running seems to clear it out for me.

Way to go on finishing 8 miles! Yay!!

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

I always run sick ... not always the best idea, but hey you have to get it done when you can

joyRuN said...

I've negotiated with myself to try at least a mile even when I don't feel too hot. If I feel worse, I'll stop, but usually, the runs make me feel better.

Non-runners think we're totally nuts.

WendyBird said...

yep, running improves head cold symptoms! Good job!

robison52 said...

Your "No Regrets" statement is right on!! We can't change the past, we made the best decisions we could at the time, perhaps we even learned from the bad decisions...what's more important is the decisions we make today.

I also find running beneficial with a small cold.

I Run for Fun said...

Awesome job, Sarah! I ran through 2weeks of the flu, and everyone around me thought I was whacko for doing it, so I totally understand. I agree...at times, it helps clear up the cold!

greydawn said...

oh to have the body of a 30 year old again....be thankful!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

Not a bad idea to try running a bit to see how you feel, that is, if you feel well enough to run just a bit. Glad the run helped. Hope you're all better now!