Lately, my runs have felt anything other than easy. In fact, since I got sick in August, running has felt slow and laborious. It’s my new normal, so it seems.
The first week in August, I developed Covid symptoms. I was sick for 2 weeks. The first few days, I couldn’t tell you which symptom was worse: the relentless headache, or the non-stop watering eyes. I also had a low grade fever that lasted the entire two weeks. It seemed each day brought a new, annoying symptom. I went to the doctor two times and was tested for Covid both times using a PCR test. The results of each were negative. I’ve now been tested 3 times through work as well, all negative.
It took a while for me to get back to running. I obviously didn’t run while I was ill, so took those two weeks off, but then I also gave myself some grace when I did get back to running. I took lots of walk breaks. I ran intervals with my teammates (socially distanced, of course). But “recovery” from whatever that illness was has seemed ridiculously long. It’s been so bad that my new joke has been, “if you like to walk, you’ll love running with me!”
We are on our annual Thanksgiving holiday week on the Outer Banks of NC. We drove, and we are only with our immediate family (our quarantine cluster). My latest runs have been ALL running, for which I’m grateful. But when my effort seems like a 10:30 pace, and I look at my Garmin and see 12:00, it makes me want to cry! I was never a fast runner, anyway, but I swear my watch was wrong! Sigh.
Hopefully, if I’m persistent with training, the speed will return. I have to have faith that it will. For now, I’m on my maintenance miles schedule since marathon season is over. My best friend is talking me into doing some speed work. Yes, maybe it’s time to get back to that.
For now, I hear the kitchen calling! I’ve got a chocolate cake to make…
Did you train for a marathon this fall? How did it go? Did you contract Covid and struggle to get back to running after? I’d love to hear about your experiences. Happy running! As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
Anne the Vegan 
It does sound like you had CoVID. It’s so hard when all the tests come back negative. I’m glad you are back to running and hope your pace will increase to what you want it to be. Speed work could help. Try to give yourself a break. It sounds like you are doing great with your comeback. Enjoy your Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks.
To answer your question, I was training for the AF HM in September, but it was cancelled due to CoVID. It would have been my first. Then, I found out that the aneurysm they have been following has grown, so will need a surgical repair. But, that has been put on hold due to all of the CoVID cases in the hospital around here. So, for now, I am waiting, getting in some easy runs, walking, and hoping that I will be able to continue to run and train for a HM after the surgery.
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Anne, I had a blog about my dog – the one linked above. I recently started One Step In Front Of The Other to document my journey through open heart surgery, recovery, and continuing to run. It took me a week or so to figure out how to set up two WordPress sites that would allow me to comment and link separately. Having said that, I had intended to respond to your post on THIS blog and not the dog one. Sorry if there is any confusion there.
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Oh, wow! That sounds scary. I’m so sorry you are going through that… but glad you are still able to exercise!
We coached some first time marathoners this season. Richmond Marathon was a completely different experience this year. I got my spring HM in just before they started canceling races in March. I feel very fortunate!
As far as Covid goes, I think you’re right. I survived an outbreak where I work without contracting it. And I worked with several positive patients. I have now helped multiple post-Covid patients recover in rehab. I wish people could see what healthcare providers see.
Thanks for your comments! I hope you can get your aneurysm repaired soon.
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Thank you. I wish people could see what healthcare providers see too. Way to many people somehow still think it is some sort of hoax and refuse to wear a mask or take precautions. Thank you for all you do for the patients you have impacted.
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Speed work is such a love/hate relationship. I’m super proud of you and the strides you’ve this year!
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Thanks, friend!💗
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I believe you will get back to normal in time. I’ve been doing yoga (strengthening) since the pandemic and my pace has increased even I wasn’t planning to improve it. That’s why I really recommend doing some yoga along with other speed work. Good luck and stay safe!
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I sometimes get headaches with yoga, and I don’t know why. I enjoy it otherwise!
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