I'm starting to think I'm becoming a wuss because now every time I get sick, I tend to make a bigger deal about it. I sent out an "I'm sick," Snap to my friends because I guess I wanted attention about it!? I also warned people who got too close to me. I didn't want them to get sick and I wanted them to know why I looked like death.
On Friday, I ran, because it was too early to tell how bad I felt. On Saturday, I woke up and felt horrible, but for some reason, I ran anyway. Ever since, I've been trying to figure out why I did that. I'll run if I'm mildly sick but not when I'm really sick. Yet on Saturday (one of the days I felt the worst), I suited up and out the door I went.
I felt so crappy, and after less than a mile, I stopped and turned around to walk home... but literally 5 seconds later I was like "Fuck that!" and just kept on running until I was done with 6 miles.
The whole time, I felt bad. Even my thoughts were negative. During my run, I contemplated quitting Facebook, quitting my blog... it wasn't good.
As I got closer to the end of my run, I started to wonder, WHY DID I DO THIS? Why did I run if I felt absolutely horrible. I'll normally run if I am sick as long as I know I won't feel worse by the end and as long as I'll at least enjoy the run a little bit. But this run... there was NOTHING good about it! It was probably the sickest I have ever been while running.
Why do that!!!!??????
There were a couple reasons I think I decided to run on Saturday...
1. Running makes me feel normal. It makes me happy. When I am sick, I want to feel normal and happy.
2. I was going to see family later in the day. I love my family, but it was going to be a lot of stimuli. Running is my "me" time when I can relax.
3. Sometimes I get high horsey and think that I will feel better after a run. Okay, this one doesn't make much sense at all!
4. Lately, I feel like I haven't been eating very well, so there was a degree of wanting to burn off calories. I hate to say it, but it's true.
That's all I could come up with! It was definitely a stupid decision. Next time I even think about running when I'm that sick, I will be reminded of this blog post!
What kind of sickness or level of sickness will you not run through?
I hope you are feeling better! Being sick is NO fun and I totally get trying to get back a sense of normal when an illness knocks you on your ass. I used to run (or swim or cycle) when I was sick (or injured) all the time. It was called exercise addiction and it took me years of fighting to break the hold it had on me. I still love my workouts but I have found other things that can give me what I need so I really try to avoid pushing when my body is saying "REST". I am learning that my body truly does know best.
ReplyDeleteTake care, Megan!
I am glad you broke your exercises addiction. It's crazy how similar our pasts are! It seems like you have such a healthy view towards exercise now. I am always amazed at how well rounded your weekly workouts are.
DeleteThank you so much. Believe me, it was one of the hardest things I have had to change about myself but I am so much happier & so much healthier! I am glad we have each other :)
DeleteI can definitely relate to this, there are some days I shouldnt run and I dont feel good the whole time but I do it anyway for one reason or another. I hope you are feeling better!
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy! I am feeling better. Not 100% but able to run and enjoying the run.
Delete#3 does make sense in some cases! You are not being high horsey! If you have a fever or bronchitis or something, of course don't run, but if you're just stuffy with a little bit of coughing running CAN make you feel better. I google'd this on new year's day to see why running made my stuff nose feel better :).
ReplyDeleteApparently when we have an infection there is increased blow flood to the nose that causes swelling and restricts our ability to breathe normally or let our noses drain the fluid out. However, running increases heart rate which makes blood flow throughout the rest of the body thinning it out in our nose and causing the swelling to go down temporarily so that we can breathe easier and get some drainage. I am not a doctor and probably not explaining this well but you can google it!
I read it online so it must be true :).
I hope you start feeling better today!
Man, I just learned a lot from you! You should have written this post for me. :)
DeleteI think it's okay to run sick, depending on the sickness. If I think I can handle the run and it won't make me feel WORSE, I'm usually down for it. Most of the time it makes me feel better to sweat it out a bit. I do adjust my expectations, though. When your body's fighting something off, you can't expect it to give 100% in a race or hard track workout or something.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll feel better soon. It has to be tough up there with the cold temps and feeling bad!
I think I generally go by your guidelines too, but I have realized this week that if I am really lethargic, maybe I better not run because I won't enjoy it at all. This is the first time I've really experienced such lethargy accompanied by sickness so it was a learning experience.
DeleteI've been very lucky - I can only think of maybe one time each winter that I get sick, and it's never very bad. But, when I am feeling sick I go with the "neck and above" rule. Anything lower than my shoulders and I won't run (chest, stomach, etc). I hope you are feeling better soon!!! I just heard on the radio that we have some sort of flu going around bad here in town. Not that it's ever "good"!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I don't get sick worse being a teacher and being around all of those germs! That's good that you don't get very sick. You must have a really good immune system. I think I have a good immune system when it comes to stomach bugs because I NEVER get those.
DeleteSometimes I run when I'm sick, just to see how sick I really am! If I can complete my run, then I know I'm ok...
ReplyDeleteDoes that even make sense?
I completely understand what you are saying. Sometimes I don't know how sick I am until I am awake for a little bit... and since I run like 20 min after I get up it's sometimes still to early to tell!
DeleteYes, I run through everything. I think the only sicknesses I won't run through is the stomach bug or a fever, but I haven't had those in years! KNOCK ON WOOD. I hope you're feeling better. You can send me sick snaps anytime. There's nothing wrong with having a pout and that's what friends are here for. If you were perfectly happy and healthy all the time then I'd get annoyed.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for being healthy! Definitely probably good not to run through a fever and I'm not even sure it would be possible to run through a stomach bug! I mean, wouldn't that just make someone throw up? Thanks for letting me sick snap you. :) Your comment made me laugh out loud.
DeleteI run when I am am sick (unless it is a GI illness). I just take it easy. I figure it is good to open up the lungs a bit. I usually feel better for a while after I run...
ReplyDeleteWell that's good! I think I normally do too as long as I am not feeling really crappy.
DeleteI hope you are feeling better, and not having any more "quitting blog" thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI let my body say if I am running or not. If I can barely get off the bed, I don't run. I really admire that you got up and run to have your own "me time".
I know, I was down in the dumps.... I have quit facebook and my blog a lot over the past week!
DeleteI love my me time!
It depends, if it's a headcold, I'll run when I feel like it's ebbing. Running makes me feel better on any occasion. If it's the flu, I have to wait until I'm fully healed because it saps my energy.
ReplyDeleteYes the energy thing is key.
DeleteI totally understand your reasons for running anyway. Sometimes I feel like I take time off too easily. Like, "oh, I have a cold, I'll rest!" even if I could run through it. This Saturday my lungs were all foggy and tight but I ran anyway; Monday too. I just didn't want to miss more time from training! It wasn't smart at all but it turned out okay this time.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it turned out okay! Sometimes it's hard to know until you get started. It hits me when I'm finished. I jump in the shower and I'm like... okay I felt alright running but then HORRIBLE after.
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