Major step backwards

Oh, yes, similar woes over the years, to be sure!

What is the distance of your race in a month? A month is still a long time to recover and get back into form, so unless it's a long one you're gearing for, you should be okay.

You mention a virus -- what kind, and where is it affecting you? The general rule of thumb is that if the symptoms are from the neck down, back off all training. As with any injury, you have to be careful that two days now don't become two weeks later. By that I mean that you might want to back off for a couple more days, rather than do some "junk miles" today and possibly set up the virus for a longer stay in your system.

How much these things set you back is very hard to gauge. If you were training pretty consistently throughout the winter and spring, and if the race is realistic in terms of your history and training, then you maybe haven't been set back as much as you fear. It is SO common for anybody to worry themselves sick that an injury or illness will render them totally unfit for upcoming races, but usually the adverse effects are not all that damaging.

If you're not already out on your ride, think about postponing it - especially if your virus is below your neck. hang in there, and keep the faith!



Edited by stevebradley 2009-07-18 9:01 AM

It's a sinus thing.  Throat, nose, and pink eye.  It's in my chest a bit too.

My problem is I've only been training a few months.  The tri was a major goal for me of getting fit.  I was very obese, still am but have dropped 20+ lbs, and was living a very sedentary lifestyle.

A month ago I felt the tri would be hard, but that I could finish.  I was doing cardio 5 times a week.  I guess I'll do what I can until this bug passes.  Maybe work on more stength traiing then cardio since my breathing seems to be impacted right now. Once I'm 100% I'll have to step up my routine a bit and push harder.  (not too hard though)

Let's see. Since I started training 2.5 years ago I've had:

1. Bike crash with one broken wrist possibly two. (I have so many old breaks from football and other bike crashes, it's hard for docs to determine old vs. new breaks). (Didn't miss a day of training.)
2. Surgery (full OR and general anesthesia) to remove an old saddle sore. (Couldn't bike for a month).
3. Ski fall that resulted in lots of torn rib cartilage and 8 weeks of pain with every breath. (No training for a few days. Then had to go easy enough not to breath hard for about 8 weeks. Couldn't swim for three weeks).
4. Recent bike crash in a race that resulted in separated AC, fractured right thumb and ring finger. (Missed one race bc I can't swim).

And lots of minor pains/strains and such in my calves and left hip. Also my patellar tendon hurts all the time and sometimes swells into the back of my knee into what's called a Baker's Cyst. I think I'm forgetting something fairly major as well. I have no memory...

Injuries are part of serious training. But I've still been able to make good progress in spite of my injuries.


My advice (even though you didn't ask for it), is to think more long-term. So you'll miss a race. No big deal. The training you've done up to now is what is important. Even if you've slacked a bit lately, that training will help you return to good shape quickly.

From my understanding you really won't much fitness over a 2 week period. In fact you may even be better of for the rest, reduced risk for injury etc (have to look on the positive side)

A month is plenty of time to recover. Train as you can. Just make your goal to complete the tri. You'll learn a lot and enjoy it without any pressure (internal). There will be other tri's. I too hope it is a sprint.

Doug

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Thanks for the advice.  I really needed it.

Great news.  Woke up this morning and had my best run ever!  The best part is I know my chest wasn't 100% either.  I guess the rest did my body good.

I got a bike trailer for rides when I need to take my two little ones (2 1/2 and 1 1/2) with me.  Sure, I can't go as fast pulling 70lbs of kids, toys, blankets, and trailer behind my bike, but the next time you ride without the trailer you will feel light as a feather.  The kids LOVE going for rides with their Dad and the wife loves the break without the little ones plus I get some time in the saddle.  It's a win, win, win situation.

Ugh, yeah, I just had a four MONTH hiatus. I was getting so close to a couple significant goals, too, and now I'm almost all the way back to the beginning. But, there is nothing else to do except buck up, lace up the shoes, and go. You aren't gonna get time back, so make the most of the time you have. Sitting on the couch with your head in your hands CERTAINLY won't get you to the finish line! So, awesome job on getting back out there, having a good run, and staying positive - that's what will get you where you want to go! Good luck!