Taking couple days off

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Taking couple days off

Mulan1231

Chicago, IL
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 4

Taking couple days off Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:53 pm

I've a novice runner and this year I decided to run my very first full marathon. I have been running at least 5 times a week averaged 30-35 miles a week. This coming saturday I have a 10k, my problem is that I haven't ran in 5 days (due to stomach flu), will taking 5 days off from running effect me this saturday?

mfox

South Orange, New Jersey
Joined: 19 Dec 2004
Posts: 367

Re: Taking couple days off Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:55 pm

If your stomach flu was bad enough to force you to miss five days I'd be concerned about whether or not you might be dehydrated or malnurished. Taking five days off definitely can have an affect but probably mostly in keeping you from getting a PR (unless this is your first 10K). How do you feel? If you feel recovered and positive about the race then you should do well. Again, maybe not a PR but the rest may have done more good then harm depending on hard you've been training. The harder you've been training the more benefit the 5 days off will provide. But I wouldn't worry about it. Getting stressed out can ruin an otherwise good race. Just go into the race planning to give it your best. Enjoy the results knowing you probably could have done better had you not gotten ill. Good luck Mulan1231! Kick butt!!! Be sure to come back and give us a nice race report on how it all went. Last edited by mfox on Sun Apr 23, 2006 7:56 am; edited 1 time in total

OldManRunner
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
Rochester, NY
Joined: 28 Nov 2004
Posts: 262

Re: Taking couple days off Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:25 pm

I agree with mfox. 5 days off will definitely slow down your performance and I wouldn't be looking for PR's if I were you, but if it's just a question of whether or not you should race...if you feel up to it, go for it! But don't be bummed out if your performance isn't up to your expectations...you've got a valid excuse to use when you write us all your race report Saturday afternoon. Good luck! And what marathon are you planning on running?

Mulan1231

Chicago, IL
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 4

Re: Taking couple days off Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 5:32 pm

Thanks for your feedback guys! But I was a little disappointed in my PR. I was doing great up until I started breaking out into cold sweats and chills. Is that normal? I finished the run a 1:02:38 and my avg pace was 10:00. I am extremely dehydrated right now.....and not feeling so great. =( At this point I am a little discourage of running the full marathon. Well, I have 6 months to train for this full....so I guess I shouldn't let one little 10k make feel this way. To answer you question (Oldmanrunner), I will be running the Chicago Marathon in October.

Rustyboy

LA, CA
Joined: 14 Dec 2004
Posts: 225

Re: Taking couple days off Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 7:00 pm

Congrats on your run! This is pure "duh" info, but make certain to keep hydrated. Stomach issues will sap you of megafluids, and running on top of that can be a little dangerous (although 10k isn't a big deal for this). Rest, rest, rest! You have PLENTY of time to train for Chicago. Let your body heal and then climb back on the horse slowly. Welcome to the fold - we're a small but mildly insane group = )

OldManRunner
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
Rochester, NY
Joined: 28 Nov 2004
Posts: 262

Re: Taking couple days off Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2006 1:47 pm

Congratulations on a race well run. No, breaking out into cold sweats and chills isn't at all normal...it's often a sign of overheating, so be careful. Heat can be dangerous. Where do you run, and what were the temperatures like yesterday? But do remember that you were coming into this race after having been sick and not having run for several days, so not feeling well and being a bit disappointed in your time shouldn't be too surprising. Rest up, and don't worry, 6 months is a long time yet before Chicago.

Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

Re: Taking couple days off Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:17 pm

Congratulations on the 10K Mulan! I'll echo the advice of the others here that you've got lots of time to get ready for Chicago, so don't stress out. If you broke out into chills, maybe you're not fully recovered yet from your bout with stomach flu. How long did the chills last after the race? Are you feeling better now? When in doubt, I'd take an extra rest day to help get yourself back on your feet. Don't feel guilty: resting will help you recover much better than slogging through a workout when you're sick.

Mulan1231

Chicago, IL
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 4

Re: Taking couple days off Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 7:02 am

I've got to say this is by far the best running forum!!!! =) Thanks for all the advice! The chills lasted about 15 mintues after the run. I"m feeling better now! This coming sunday I have my first 10 mile run. Wish me luck!

Bricks
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
Chicago
Joined: 09 Dec 2004
Posts: 222

Re: Taking couple days off Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 7:43 am

I think your chills in this case were very likely because of your recent ailments, but in the future, especially in longer races, don't freak out if you get the what i call the 'shivers'. After almost every marathon I've done i get them. That's why they give you those shiny mylar blankets after long races. they are designed to keep your body heat in, which after being elevated for so long durning the race, comes down so quickly after stopping that the body feels colder than it actually is and you, of course, shiver. And there is plenty of time till Oct 22nd. I'll be out there with you in Chicago. It's a great race. Are you training with one of the local groups this summer? Last edited by Bricks on Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:49 pm; edited 1 time in total

Mulan1231

Chicago, IL
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 4

Re: Taking couple days off Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:10 pm

That's great! How many times have you ran the Chicago Marathon? I'm still debating if I should join the local running groups for training. My friends and I actually formed a small running group, so for now it's going great. What do you guys think about joining a training group?

mfox

South Orange, New Jersey
Joined: 19 Dec 2004
Posts: 367

Re: Taking couple days off Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 4:44 pm

If your happy with the group you have and you are able to train "smart" with them then keep it up. But it wouldn't hurt to check out the other local running group. In fact, I suggest your group join the other group. You can run with the same people while gettnig to know some other people; effectively enlarging your group. You can still run with your smaller group when you all want to and then join the larger group for larger social or training runs. I know people who meet up with their running club only once or twice a week and some who only meet up once or twice a month. I don't belong to a running group. Though I would love to join one. There just isn't a group nearby that trains nearby. There is a running club sponsored by a shoe store in the next town over but for some odd reason they have their training runs at a park and high school track that are a good 30-40 min. drive away. I spend enough time doing my runs nearby that another 30-60 minutes would really start to grind on my schedule. I've been training for a July triathlon and the time I spend training has nearly doubled. I often do a 45-60 run every weekday with another 40-70 minutes doing a swim or bike workout. So I'm not up for the additional travel time just to run with a group. The most important thing to remember when running with other people is to make sure they don't force you to run faster or slower than you should for a particular workout. For example, if you are scheduled for an easy slow run don't let the group pressure you into running harder to keep up with them. The rule of thumb is...when you need to run easy then run with a slower group and when you need a more challenging workout run with a faster group. Don't run hard when you should be recovering, and don't run easy when you should be pushing it a little.

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