Making a Comeback from Covid ??? We Will but it may take a While ...

[Oldfloss]

Making a Comeback

Hello !

I am not expecting anyone to reply to this...( all much too busy), but am putting it up for information and in the hope that, as and when you get a moment of relaxation, you may take a look

This is where my mantra , certainly for me, will be resonating for quite some time.

Even before I put up a recent post about catching Covid, I was aware of the number of our forum friends who had Covid, or, who were recovering from it. My post seemed to open the floodgates and one after the other, replies recounted positive tests of our runner, or family members. A lot of our forum friends have the virus right now.

So...

I am putting some information here which may be of use to those of us who are suffering from, or recovering from this complex and devastating virus. One or two folk who are over the pesky thing have been asking a few, when and how much can I do, questions.

The most important message which comes though any validated research on Covid and its effect on folk is... we are all Different. And it will affect us in Different ways.

Despite some reports to the contrary, a lot of people are still getting the coronavirus .

Whilst being fit and running may potentially, help prevent the kind of complications and respiratory symptoms severe enough to require medical intervention, our running is NOT a guarantee that we won't get it.

We all hope that by taking care of ourselves, running regularly, eating healthily and well, had any available vaccinations, and are in good health, that we are in a strong position, Despite all this... anyone can still get it. This virus can affect anyone.

So... you've got it, you've had it, you may get it. Where do we go from here?

As with any illness, or injury, the comeback is not as easy as we may think, and may also take some time.

There is no hard and fast rule which will tell us how long it will take before we feel anything like normal again. We are all, so very, very different. Factors such as age, fitness levels, specific symptoms, severity of the symptoms and duration of the sickness all play their part.

Covid does cause different degrees of respiratory symptoms, coughing, congestion ( my case, blocked up head!) and because of this, our comeback could be a tad harder than recovering from other illness or injury! We need to breathe!

The experts, and there are some terrific scientist and specialists out there, are still working on finding out as much as they can about this virus, They are learning more and more about it every day,

Some suggestions so far, indicate that some folk will feel like and be able, to run after a week or so, after diagnosis, for others, it may take weeks, or even months.

Covid can attack an affect every organ system in the body, and that means that the advice we give on here so often...LISTEN to YOUR BODY, is even more important than ever. LISTEN and HEAR... any discomfort...STOP... and severe discomfort, may need following up by your medical expert !

Other advice recommends that the longer and more ill you have been, then any return should be more gradual.

How long to wait? The advice is, until all or most symptoms have resolved , five to ten days, or longer and depending on severity, but, if your only symptom was loss of smell or taste, then that might be slightly less.

Asymptomatic... ? Then wait for around three days to make sure any symptoms do not appear

Now...

One factor which does seem to keep appearing in posts and replies...tiredness... fatigue. This again varies from individual to individual.

There is no magic pill to make you recover faster or feel better and, this is where the word 'comeback; really does ring true. (The nutrition link may be helpful here).

It seems that for many folk, one day, you feel as if you are making progress, feel stronger, less ill; the next day , bang, back to square one.. and some folk are even convinced they are positive again! ( It has happened to me)!

This is all, I feel quite useful information.... I am going to add some links which folk may which to look at, purely for information.

The ZOE Covid Study was the one used to inform the Govt. at the time. Funding from the Govt. has been withdrawn now, but the work goes on.

The reading is useful if you can take the time?

Bits on exercise and on nutrition too.

health-study.joinzoe.com/

health-study.joinzoe.com/po...

health-study.joinzoe.com/po...

yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/i-...

N.B.

I am NOT a medical expert, the links and the information are from my own research and the information gleaned from the ZOE Covid study. I like many of us have been part of the study since the first year of the Pandemic.

What works for one will not work for another. Maybe just take a read and hopefully you may find some useful information.

PS

I tested Negative on Christmas Day.. a great gift.... I retested for my second negative today, ( always a good idea, to have two)....it has gone but it certainly has left something behind which is going to take a while to resolve... and you all know what is coming now don't you?

SLOW and STEADY!

Flossx

[M0use Graduate10]

Feel better soon 🤗♥️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to M0use]

Every day, give or take ... thank you x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

This is a really great post-thanks for sharing your thoughts and some really useful links. I was really surprised how unwell I felt with covid recently. I’d had it three times before, fully vaccinated and was young, fit and well. Still a whole week off work, hardly moved from the sofa and was fatigued for a good while after.

Taking things slowly and recovering patiently is so difficult. Not running is frustrating, One thing that helped me was a comment made by Coach B on a NRC guided run. The gist of it? You’re always a runner. Sometimes you’re a runner who isn’t going for a run at the moment and that’s ok.

Look after yourself-we’re all here to keep you company ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

It is interesting isn't it... I have fared better than I imagined, as an older person... just mainly fatigue, which is still here... hits me about 2 o'clock in the afternoon... I have managed one short walk but it was enough!

You had a tough time after having it three times before and then again! Yikes. Then your fall... !!!

The frustration is so hard to tackle... and that quotation is a great one... nothing can change the fact, can it? I am glad I do not feel like running right now. but I am itching to get the feeling back

Thank you for this... good to know we have friends around, stay well ! x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Ah yes, the 2pm wave of crushing tiredness. I remember that well. Naps are absolutely your friend. Do what you need to do and it will get better ❤️

I’m totally recovered from the covid, 3 out of 4 limbs are fine from the fall, I’ve added an eye problem (don’t ask!!) that should hopefully resolve in a day or two-thanks GP out of hours/remote ophthalmology help on Christmas Day/Boxing Day. I think that must be all my illness/injury quota used up now. Next year can stay clear thanks very much! Christmas Day included a lovely short run which just felt brilliant for the first time in ages. Long may that continue!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

And so say all of us! xx

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Fatigue is a classic feature of the aftermath of a viral infection.

Even the vaccines for viruses can cause fatigue, as their mechanism is to stimulate a reaction from the immune system. I've been feeling vaguely a little bit off for the last few months.

After my booster jab this October things went a little further down, which the watch picked up on (in its HRV values).

On the other hand, whilst my recent flu jab also caused side-effects of fatigue, a fortnight after having it everything now seems to be getting back to how it was before September. Strange!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

But for some folk... in this instance..no fatigue at all ..very strange indeed.

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Interesting. Did you react differently with each infection or were they all broadly similar?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Interesting indeed.. I'll be interested in the answer...Mr OF's experience of the virus is not the same as mine... and yet, we clearly have the same infection... so interesting!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

The first time was pretty bad-that was before vaccines. Felt rough for a week and tired/brain foggy for a long time after. Second and third I wouldn’t have known I had it except for a mild sniffle and a positive test. Have friends who are CEV so was really scrupulously testing before seeing them. Fourth time bad again-most likely because of waning immunity. Still, “bad” for me is a week off work with flu like symptoms and some lingering tiredness. Thankful that the vaccines still seem to protect well against severe disease.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks for this...so interesting !

[LottieMW Ambassador]

thanks for this OF…a very useful post. I’m sure lots of people will find it helpful.

I haven’t had need of the advice…yet… 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

Glad you’re now negative and getting on the mend 🐌🐌🐌

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LottieMW]

Fingers crossed that you don't ! We have been so long, we thought we had escaped it ! Thank you !

[CBDB Graduate10]

So well said! Thank you. I believe now I’ve had Covid only once, but as I regularly use rowing to track my fitness (running is more difficult to track, as I’m so slow), I could tell from my stats that although I felt fine 2 weeks after testing negative, I only got back completely to my former fitness ca 6 weeks after testing negative. That just showed how much it can throw one back.

Slow and steady, as you say, with a good dash of patience. Thanks soo much for posting.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

...and thank you ...letting forum friends see the realities of this nasty virus is so helpful.

I am so heartened to see your return to running and in your rowing tooI .

I shall be a while I know.. but ..with patience eh? X

[Duddles]

Thanks Oldfloss - hope you recover well.

I thought I would give you my little expedience - as a runner nearer 80 now than 70 I got Covid in March. Blinding headaches and cold for a few days and by about day 5 I felt much better. So I went for a two mile run on my treadmill. Although the run was fine, with no problems, it was a BIG MISTAKE. Later that day I was wiped out and spent the next four days in bed, totally wiped out. Still struggling with fatigue months later. So my tip is - don't exercise WHILE you have Covid. I suspect it has done me longer term harm.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Duddles]

That is helpful...the feeling seems to be..not until negative and then give yourself time. I know I wouldn't think of anything until at least 7 days after a negative test and then starting back, slowly...

I hope with time you will feel better...Time is the key for many.

Thank you for sharing! X

[Roxdog Graduate10]

Look after yourself Oldfloss! I had covid in April and suffered with tiredness for three weeks afterwards, but as you say, we're all different (vitamin B12 helped me). Take your time. X

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Roxdog]

Don't worry... I shall be... slow and steady are, after all; my middle names. Thanks for the reply, it lets people know that the facts speak for themselves !

Well done on your run today too! x

[LiisaM]

wonderful advice/post—thank you!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LiisaM]

Lots to think about... and read about too... Are you doing okay with the snow... I am on the way now.. recovery time !

[LiisaM in reply to Oldfloss]

No, I'm unhappy that son has not shoveled our driveway and so the mail deliverer did not deliver our mail today. I think I am going to hire our neighbor to clear our drive which will irritate my son, but waiting so long for it to be cleared is getting on my nerves. He also left frozen food defrosting in the fridge and I want to throw it out--he thinks it's okay in a week! HOWEVER, I did do a house run yesterday (Stepping Stones.) Thank god, we have avoided covid so far and don't have your troubles right now; I suppose we will get it eventually. ☹️

For you, I think of CB's "Calm--and Strong...." As you say, the runs will always be there. (Imagine getting your own advice thrown back at you! 😆😆😆 )

You know--computers are black holes. They suck us in and take away our time.... That is what I've been thinking....

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LiisaM]

They do suck us in... but they are useful for finding things out.

We have and are doing okay. I feel that the vaccinations have done their job. Although the tiredness is a factor... I have continued all the normal tasks and we had a lovely if quiet Christmas Casserole prepped for tomorrow's lunch as we speak!

Huge well done you...on the driveway and the runs! The idea of you running indoors still makes me giggle! Very well done you !

Yes, the runs will wait, for ma and for us all, they may have to wait a while, but we shall get there! xxx

[LiisaM in reply to Oldfloss]

I shouldn't keep having you come back here to reply to me--so! No reply needed, but I'm thinking that if I keep up my house runs, I might not have to restart running come spring--like I have done for the past 3(?) years. I don't know why I didn't try this earlier!

The sort-of-bad-thing is that the dog goes crazy (she's in her pen during my runs of necessity) with her barking. She would love to grab at my clothes/ankles/whatever while I am running. (I have tried this on our driveway when the weather was better.) Oh, well, she is still a puppy, albeit getting bigger daily.

Your casserole sounds WONderful. I have a recipe for one that I think would be delicious but it requires various cooked ingredients and I have not gotten up to cooking them yet! (Eg, bread and also rice, both of which the recipe calls for.)

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to LiisaM]

No worries and if you don't have restart running again! That is brilliant!!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Very useful info Floss, continue to heal, so many people I know have COVID and it knocks their energy levels back

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks you.. it is good to have friends here who know first hand what this virus has the power to do. I have found so much out because of the ZOE study, which is neither politically or financially led... I thought we had escaped the blessed thing!

You deal with this first hand and I have so much respect for your devotion to your work.. you see the reality. The post here is for information hopefully folk will glean some things from it which will help and reassure them about getting back on track, safely and sensibly..

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Thanks for this Oldfloss , I'm pleased you are now testing negative and hopefully on the road to recovery, Some useful links in the post and always worth pointing out that there is no 'One size fits all' as far as recovery is concerned .

It takes as long as it takes , !

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Certainly does...good job, I have the patience of Job. So good to see that so many folk are just proving that at least some of the info' we get is correct. I think a fair few folk who are struggling to get their head around certain aspect will welcome the fact that is is not just them, feeling concerned ! x

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

A very interesting post Oldfloss . Like you, we went through the whole shebang without getting Covid by mixing with only family and a small select group of friends . Then life became more normal.

UpTheStanley had a heavy cold from the evening of Wednesday 23rd December, and it never occurred to us that it could be Covid. But we tested on Friday evening purely because we had family coming to stay on Christmas Eve. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the 2 lines on his strip. Mine was negative and has continued to be so every day since ,

Funnily , I’ve had sniffles, sore throat and my legs have felt tired after walking up stairs and I’ve been feeling tired in the afternoons the symptoms you mention. But maybe that’s just Christmas fatigue after running round preparing for the big day!

UTS will add his post Covid experiences to this trail when he has had his 2 negative tests and got out again.

What is annoying is the conflicting advice. The track and trace app is telling him that after day 5 after a positive test he is free to go back to normal. The NHS site says you need to have 2 negative consecutive tests after that date. Other clinical advice says you can pass it on for 10 days, which he doesn’t want to do, especially to vulnerable friends and relatives.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

... and therein lies the rub. So, so much conflicting advice. It is a mine field

The Govt want folk back at work...life has to go on... the two negative tests are sort of hidden., unless you look for them...Zoe errs on caution. We have to read around and make our own choice. For us it is, two negative tests... and at least 10 days keeping away from folk... masks on etc... we may get together with family this weekend but only because they have had it so recently. I would not want anyone to get this because of me... J was three days after me before testing positive... but some folk are immune. You could be one...

It is horrible that after so long so many of us are succumbing and at a time when we want to be thinking of the New Year and a new Year of running. I am not relishing the idea of building back, but I will do whatever I need to. Lots of walking when I feel I have some energy back.

We just do what we are able... run if we are well, and listen to our body, it really is our best guide. I hope UTS is feeling not too bad? Just keep us posted and take care... thank you for your input too ! xx

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss . UTS has suffered no more than he does with a winter cold, of which he gets several every year, so let’s hope it stays that way.

I do wonder if I do have some immunity because back in January 2020 I visited my brother in hospital and the following week I was very ill, coughing like mad, no taste. Didn’t know what it was but was in bed for 4 days. Never experienced anything like it. So I believe I had it before we knew anything about Covid and there were certainly no tests available.

You’ll love that family get together when it happens

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

That is great... Mr OF is very like that too.. but tired! Maybe you are one the lucky ones.. that is great..!

I know.. we have not seen small one since December 5th ! I haven't run since 30th November !!!!! Eeekkekeke. !

[Birdlady64 Graduate10]

Thanks for posting.

You are right,everyone is different. I've had colds which have made me feel much worse, but the wooly headedness, snotty nose and cough lingeredwith me for sooo long!!

That get together will be so wonderful when it happens

Hope things are on the upward slope now

Take care x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Thank you...i think it is going to help folk who are wondering about what is right or wrong about how they feel, and when they should be able to get out again, to know how different our experiences are.Woolly head...perfectly described!

Thanks you x

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Thank you for all this Oldfloss - and wishing you all the best for your own recovery.🙂❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

One step at a time, thank you, For many folk, just knowing that they are not alone and that these runs will wait, however long it takes!

[Lablove 60minGraduate]

so far I have escaped, despite various colds and all tests negative. Either the tests don’t work for me, or, I’ve been incredibly lucky. Touching wood as I type! Glad you are on the mend OF and for your well informed advice. Keep on taking care of yourself.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Lablove]

Well done you ! Mr OF and I really thought we had escaped it... and we still have no idea where this sneaked up on us ! Because I am a mad researcher of things and because of family care responsibilities, I do like to try and find as much as I am able about things.

This virus though, breaks so many rules... just when the experts think they have got something sussed... the blessed virus plays another trick on them! It is interesting and also encouraging when we look at the level of work going into protecting us and teaching us how to live with this .

I think the runs may be, for me, a while in coming... but this running teaches us so much about patience

Thank you x

[Lablove 60minGraduate in reply to Oldfloss]

hope you get back to your usual self very soon. Take care of yourself.

[davelinks Graduate10]

Recover soon Old Floss for a Happy New Year.I caught covid back in July, it was of course horrible, don't think was quite as bad as flu and not bedridden but was laid low for a few days with it and noticed the fatigue and took some weeks for the cough to subside..

Got back walking as soon as I felt able.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to davelinks]

Thanks you... this reply lets folk on here know that a comeback is possible! It may take some time but it will come. Getting stronger each day.. I think... rain would have stopped play anyway!

hope Slinky and You had a good Christmas !

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

This is an extremely relevant and useful post OF. As you say everyone reacts differently to it both in intensity and duration. One thread I have noticed is the post viral lethargy/weakness does seem to be lingering longer than most infections. Like some here I am yet to catch it and I’m truly dreading it. I may be immune but I’m not banking on that at all. It’s really useful to read folks responses in here especially as we all are runners and can share our insights and experiences. Maybe sticky this thread?

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

I am finding it fascinating and particularly with reference to our returning to exerices and running again... I probably will pin this!

I am also doing a follow up on the ways that we may be able to move forward again, safely, when the time is right!

Researching it is keeping me out of mischief, whilst I am crocked!

[JeremiahObadiah]

Thank you for putting together this useful information.

There is a big cover up operation going on about how much covid is around. With little testing and no reporting we are being discouraged from treating this virus with the respect needed. This worries me as there may well be another big wave on its way with the opening up in China, most people under 50, and quite a few over, are a year on from any vaccination.

I simply don’t understand the heads in sand policy as the economy suffers from lost working days and the health service is already in a parlous state. A pandemic shouldn’t have been politicised like this!

So far I’ve managed to not catch it, but I’m one of a small number still masking in eg shops or even at the Drs surgery. My husband did catch it in October and we had a fun 10days or so til he tested negative, windows open, separate rooms etc . He desperately wanted to get better as he’s a far better chef than I am!

Hope you get your energy back soon, taking it slowly and gently should be applied to more than just the running for a while.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to JeremiahObadiah]

It has been a useful thread... and so good to have the experience of folk first hand too.

The worry you mention is real. This is why I am part of the ZOE Covid study programme. Not politically or financially led, the facts are the fact. Numbers are rising...and this virus is still evolving...

Mr OF and I were the overcautious. masked brigade... but still somehow, and we have not got a clue where, it infected us.

The slow and steady rule will never change for me... it got me from 5K to my first HM at 69....and I apply it to most of the things in my life too ..thank you so much for your input xxx

[grumpyoldgirl]

Slow and steady indeed Floss! Take care of yourself.I caught covid in February and the initial infection was like a very bad flu, but the fatigue went on for weeks. In fact I feel it's still having an effect all this time later.

One unexpected effect was my loss of physical fitness. When I finally felt up to resuming my running, I went back to the beginning but I had all sorts of new aches and pains and general muscle weakness that is taking a very long time to overcome. The running is back on hold.

I'm just recovering from a cough and cold which left me exhausted, just like the aftereffects of covid, but I tested negative. On the whole I'm much better, but this latest episode goes to show that this is going to affect us all in ways we can't predict.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

The tiredness seems to be the common denominator for many folk. Mr OF is really struggling with it right now... It hits me mid afternoon.. so I have been getting all my jobs and meal preps etc done before lunch!

I shall be slow and steady whatever. I managed to do all my squats whilst teeth cleaning, right through it.. and an ever so slightly longer walk in the sun yesterday felt a tad easier than the one before! This virus is a nasty and quite devious foe!

[grumpyoldgirl in reply to Oldfloss]

My daughter has ME and it seems that the way of coping with it is the same, in short to stop before you actually feel the fatigue kicking in. I find, as you do, that by increasing gradually, the body copes better. The cyclical nature of it is a bit harder to deal with, but after the initial shock of finding yourself feeling ill again, you just have to deal with it in the same way - and each setback, for me, is less than the previous one. Sending healing thoughts to Mr OF!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thank you so much for that..that makes perfect sense! Xx

[Phdgranny Graduate10]

Hi there and big hugs and lots of wishes to get well soon. I just wanted to add a couple of thoughts from my own experience. I tested positive at the beginning of September. I was quite poorly but not hospitalised. The symptoms dragged on and then at six weeks I contracted my partners cold, a mild 2-3 day problem for him but it brought back all my Covid symptoms, the cough and fatigue hadn’t gone and came back with a vengeance, diagnosed with long Covid at 12 weeks and then another gift of a virus at Xmas has put me back to a cough worse than when I first had Covid and today feel quite I’ll. I’ve had several tests to exclude any underlying pathology for which I am very grateful but I can barely walk to the kitchen!! This isn’t to say poor me but to stress the importance of trying to avoid additional infections in the recovery phase and to say this thing has many faces. To everyone out there who is coping with this, look after yourself and get well soon xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Phdgranny]

Thank you so much for this information.. a few folk said they caught a cold after having Covid and the effect was dreadful.I really hope you begin to feel better soon. You have had a very tough time.

What this post is showing us how careful we have to be..even in recovery ...and how different all our experiences are.

Wishing you a healthier and calmer New Year x

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Hi Oldfloss . Since Dexy5 committed me to a post-covid report, here goes - first off, thanks for the advice to take it easily,  I suspect I would have pushed harder without it and suffered as a result. 

For context, I am 71 and pre-lurgy could expect to run 5k at around 5 mins/k, and 10k at 5’30”/k.  I tested positive on 23rd Dec and got repeated positives until negatives on 3rd and 4thJan, but had no symptoms worse than a heavy cold. 

On 9th Jan, I tested the waters by jogging 2k with Dexy at 7’30” pace.  On the 10th, I tried the gym doing 2 (against my usual 3) sets of 10 reps on the various upper-body exercise machines, with the weights mostly reduced by 5 kilos (about 20%), plus 1k on the treadmill set at 6’00”/k.  On the 12th, I got back on the treadmill for 3k at the same pace.  I didn’t have any immediate after-effects on any of these days, but did feel pretty wiped out each following morning. 

Last week, I did 3 sets of 10 reps with the reduced weights, and ran 4k with Dexy at 7’30” plus a final k in 5’30”.  This week I started to build up the weights by adding 2.5 kilos for the first set, and ran a 5k at 5’30” pace.  The morning-after tiredness was much less noticeable than for the first week. 

So it looks like I may have got away with it, and thanks again for the advice to be careful.  It’ll be interesting to see what happens on Saturday with my first post-lurgy parkrun.  Not expecting a sub-25, mind ……. 

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Thank you so much for this reply. I am going to pin the post again... it is really ineresting to see just how this blessed Covid has impacted on different people.

You really did build back gently and it really looks like that approach has rewarded you. I feel that, certainly for me, at 72, and indeed many folk of a similar age, the only way is, slow and steady and listening to the body. That last little spurt at the end of the 4K with Dexy shows that you are really getting back to normal,

I really hope Saturday goes well... just run... and listen to your body... it might get you there faster than you think x