Feeling a little 😞: The bad back that... - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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Feeling a little 😞

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon
41 Replies

The bad back that stopped me running the GSR has settled and I had just returned to my running again. I was looking forward to half term and some lovely trail runs in the countryside, until a few days ago a when slightly snuffly cold turned into sinusitis😖 - very headachey at times and feeling like someone has hit me on the nose (ouch!). Ibuprofen seems to help but I am loathe to run at the moment for fear of being unwell on return to work (love my job to bits ❤️but it is very busy and can be quite stressful at times). I seem to read many posts of folk out there running when they feel unwell and wonder how you do it? As I miss yet more runs, I am now thinking of deferring my November HM and am fighting a bit of a battle with that feeling of failure again. 😞 I do need to feel prepared for a race both mentally and physically and sometimes I think having a thyroid condition impacts on how much I can do sometimes. Sorry for the moan - hopefully by the weekend I will be feeling brighter and a bit more positive about things! You know what would help me now though? - a good run!🏃🏽‍♀️

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Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39
Half Marathon
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41 Replies
skysue16 profile image
skysue16Half Marathon

Oh dear Sandra, sorry to hear you are not feeling very well 😕. I had a virus recently and didn't run for 15 days and had to miss an event, so annoying. I wouldn't recommend running when you feel unwell but is it worth the risk of getting worse? Better to relax and rest up, especially with work next week. I do hope you feel better soon.

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply toskysue16

Thanks skysue - sometimes we just need to hear others say what we don't like hearing from ourselves! Commonsense of course! 🙂

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

Ahh. Sending hugs 😘. Sinusitis is miserable and not something I would run through I'm sure. It's horrid cancelling events - I know - really disappointing, but it doesn't make you a failure 😮. Events are meant to be fun, we pay a lot for the privelege of enjoying ourselves. And if you aren't going to enjoy it because you've been sidelined when you wanted to be training, then why do it? Sure, if you're happy to modify your run a bit then go ahead and enjoy it that way, but if not then don't do it. Simple. Not a failure however you look at it. Your choice. Because it's for you 🙂. Feel better very soon and enjoy that first run back, it's waiting for you 😍

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply tolinda9389

I feel better just having read these replies Linda. Thank you such much - the support on this forum is special.🙂x

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon in reply toSandraj39

It certainly is. Never fails to deliver. Take care 😘

Decker profile image
DeckerUltramarathon

Oh I’m sorry you’re not feeling well Sandra. Hoping you can rest well for a short while until it moves on. Try not to stress about it. You can only do so much under the circumstances. Feel better soon!

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply toDecker

Thanks for the kind words Decker - rest it is and less of the 'feeling like a failure' thanks to the support here.🙂

Decker profile image
DeckerUltramarathon in reply toSandraj39

Linda said it best I think - also no"f" word here, right? :).

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply toDecker

Oops! Of course - no "f" words here, sir!😉

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

I can't say it better than linda9389 has!

Sinusitis is often accompanied by fever, which makes it a no-no for running. You are much better off resting, and easing into gentle runs when you feel better. And considering deferment in such circumstances suggests no failure - running a half marathon when you are feeling stressed and ill would be a failure to look after yourself!

I do share your frustration. I have been laid low with some sort of virus for a while now, and the lack of running preys on the mind for sure! But we'll both be back out there soon, and looking forward to the next race 😊😊😊

Wishing you a speedy recovery! xxx

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply toroseabi

Thanks roseabi - sinusitis is my Achilles heel for sure - I often seem to get hit by it after a cold!😖 It does feel viral at the moment and I don't have any fever at the moment. Am going to defer the HM though and just enjoy my last 10k event at the end of November instead. 🤞🙂 Sorry to hear you have been laid low too - hope you are back out there soon.x

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsHalf Marathon

Oh Sandra, so sorry to hear that. Big hug. It is so frustrating when our running is sidelined with illness, and it is the season of horrible-ness in terms of bugs and viruses. Bleuch. You need to rest up, no doubt about it. (I never run when feeling ill, only going out at the very tail end of a cold.) If you decide to not do your November HM, you have not failed – you have just made a sensible decision, and one that most runners have to make at some point in their running career. Of course it is disappointing, I do understand that. x Maybe defer, and then find a fun 10k to do around the same time instead, to keep your spirits up?

I really hope that you are feeling much better soon. xxx

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply toSadie-runs

Thanks for your kind words Sadie - as I said above, this forum is such a wonderful place to come for that much needed boost sometimes! I am going to stop being so hard on myself, defer the HM and hopefully look forward to a 10k event that I have booked at the end of the month instead. 🙂x

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles

It sounds like a good idea to defer the HM as you haven’t been able to train up for the distance. But no way is it a failure. It seems to me that you are adapting to the situation, and listening to your body. Is there a fun 10k you can enter later in the month?

Edit: Great you are already signed up for a 10k.

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply toDexy5

I was up to 18k before my bad back and sinusitis. Just won't have completed enough of those long runs BUT...am looking forward more positivitely now to that 10k towards the end of November! Thanks Dexy🙂

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy510 Miles in reply toSandraj39

👍🏅🙂

backintime profile image
backintime10 Miles

I'm sorry to hear that

But you are doing the right thing - even though it feels like the wrong thing lol

You are following the advice that you would give to anyone else and you wouldn't think anyone else had failed if they did deferred! Cut yourself some slack and rest up.

I don't know if you have tried it, but I find washing my nose out with saline solution during a cold reduces my bouts of sinusitis (I think it just reduces the amount of snot that can dry up in there at the end of a cold). Keeping moist helps in general if you can't stomach the flushing thing

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply tobackintime

Just done a steam inhalation! 👍🙂

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessAdministratorHalf Marathon

Oh Sandra, what a pain! I agree with you and have no idea how some people can run when they feel ill. I just want to curl up somewhere warm and hibernate for a while 😴

You’re an experienced runner and can hear what your body tells you so you’ll do the right thing. Take care of yourself and it won’t be long before you’re out there on your lovely trails xxx

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply toIrishprincess

Thanks your maj - and I will soon be posting about my lovely runs again, I'm sure!🙂x

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator

Massive hug.... all that is going on with you,, no wonder you feel yukky!

Sinusitis is horrid.. it is why I wear my woolly hat, pulled well down, from this time onwards! A bad back too... totally wearing...like toothache!

You are no failure.. and if you have to defer... then do it... the run will be all the sweeter when you feel better again!

Feel better soon my friend! xxx

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply toOldfloss

Thank you Oldfloss - I am feeling a bit more accepting of these annoying setbacks now! I know they are part of the great running journey...but frustrating all the same!x

Granspeed profile image
Granspeed

Aargh. So, so annoying. 😨 I deeply sympathise, as I am struggling to send off my own sinusitis attack. I blame the damp weather at the same time as the onset of central heating, and therefore less fresh air. But who really knows... might be a fabrication on my part. Anyway, I concur with the saline washout idea mentioned above. There’s a remedy called NeilMed which works on that principle - it’s a handy squeeze bottle & packets of salts to add to boiled water. Sounds weird, but seems to ease things. Might be worth a try. Good luck for a quick recovery, anyway. 👍😊

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply toGranspeed

Many thanks. I hate the idea of a saline nasal wash but may have to give this a go....🙂

Granspeed profile image
Granspeed in reply toSandraj39

The NeilMed system is easy to use, much better than any makeshift method I tried before. And the little packets give the right dose so no stinging. Sounds gruesome, I know, but really no problem in practice. 👍 Using it at the first hint of trouble is the best way!

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply toGranspeed

I agree with you..the colder and windy weather sets mine off..plus that central heating! I have a vaporiser , like a face sauna type of thing you add menthol crystals and water and then breathe it all in..it is old, but good. I also lather Nivea around my sinuses too before I run. On really cold windy days , with my thermal hat pulled down, my buff pulled up..I look like Burglar Bill!! X

Granspeed profile image
Granspeed in reply toOldfloss

🤣🤣 Prevention is definitely the way to go, whatever it looks like!

I absolutely feel for you. Getting ill is so frustrating when you're a runner. I'm still not well after Oxford half and have cut my running right back. It seems to go on forever, but in the scheme of things it probably won't be for long and you will be back out there with rested legs. Big hugs xxx

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply to

Thanks Flick - be back out there just as soon as I can!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon

Aww Sandra, so sorry to hear you had another setback. You’ve had your fair share of back luck, but it’ll come to an end before long and you’ll be back out there. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

I hope you can still run your HM. You’ll know soon enough whether you think you can. If not, defer, put it behind you and move on. You know the runs will be there waiting for you. 👍😀

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply tocheekychipmunks

Thanks cheeky. I have withdrawn from the HM and feel a weight off my shoulders!! Time to get better and just get out and enjoy the runs!🙂

Agelesslass profile image
AgelesslassMetric Marathon

Sounds like you are going through a tough time Sandra. Keep resting up until you’re completely better, it will be worth it. I hate not been able to run because of being poorly or injured but we are only human and have to listen to our bodies. Good luck 😃😀

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply toAgelesslass

Thank you.🙂

Franglaise profile image
Franglaise10 Miles

Sorry to hear you are poorly....I know its hard but I think some time off running and get better is called for.

Then you can come back totally fresh and revitalised

Hope you feel better soon.

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply toFranglaise

Thank you.🙂

Sorry to hear you are unwell. I too have had a bad hip for six weeks (better now) where I pulled out of Bournemouth. Now I am improving and wanting to run more I land myself a head cold. I have rested this week and will try a run at the weekend. Sounds like you also need a little rest too. Our bodies are just needing a bit of TLC and in no time you will be back out running again.

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply to

Thanks for your thoughts RFD - you are, of course right. I am withdrawing from the Gosport Half and allowing myself the time to build back up again at my own pace and without the pressure of ticking off more long runs! Hope you are back out there soon too - and enjoy your weekend run.🙂

Run46 profile image
Run46Half Marathon

Oh please don't feel like a failure, none of this is your fault...this is just life doing that thing it does sometimes where it's just one thing after another!

Most importantly you need to feel better. If it was just a bit of a head cold I'd say dose up and try a run if you feel like it, but if it's sinusitis I'm imagining that causing throbbing and that you just need to rest!

Feel better, get back to work, run when you can, and once you're running again then make your decision about the race.

You may be a definite nah! Or could feel great after a couple of runs and decide to give it a go.

Don't put yourself under pressure to decide now while you're poorly!

Hope you feel better soon 😪😴😀👍

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply toRun46

Thank you so much - still have a sore face(!) but am feeling more positive about things now. Looking forward to feeling better and a 'no pressure' run! 🙂

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoUltramarathon

Only just seen this, really sorry to see this. I'm sure having a thyroid issue does impact and you certainly need to keep overall health top of your priorities.

I love my job too, and quite aside from needing the money it pays, never feel it's right to put my "fun time" ahead of my ability to work.

Hope you're starting to feel better although the weekend weather is due to be a bit rubbish so maybe a bit more rest... 😉😘

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Half Marathon in reply toGoGo_JoJo

Thanks Jo - I can see you totally get where I'm at.👍🙂x

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