Being sick! + Race Report: Pinnacle Bank 5k

I signed up for the Pinnacle Bank 5k in Osceola because one of my old training buddies needed an extra person for their team.  Initially, I was hoping for it to be a fast effort, but between triathlon training, recovery issues, and the fact that it was just plan old July (i.e. HOT and HUMID), this was not to be the case.  In addition, I woke up Friday night with (what I thought) were some annoying GI issues.  They were bad enough that if it weren't a team event, I might have sat it out.  But given that it was, I drug myself out of bed and began my typical pre-race routine: coffee, cereal, water, etc.  Upon arriving in Osceola and finding my friends, I of course had to tell Matt about my recent toils.  He swiftly reminded me that it wasn't much different from the last time we raced together in Ashland at Mud, Sweat, and Beers. (Oh yes...how could that slip my mind?)  Anyway, I was assured that there would be cornfields on both sides of the country road with which we would traverse.  The race was small, yet well supported by the local communities.  I ran into a few people I knew and had a nice time catching up with them.  A few minutes before 8am, the Columbus Cheetahs headed to the start line.  (On Facebook the night before, Matt had made reference to the fact that he had coined the team name, but I pointed out that I was pretty sure, pretty sure, that I had been the original creator of such a catchy name back in 2008.  Matt said that maybe that was so, it wasn't that cool of a name anyway.  Sigh.)

The course was an out-and-back with one right hand turn at the very beginning of the race, maybe 400 meters in.  As we neared the turn, everyone around me started hollering, "Turn around!, turn around!". I quickly shifted my focus straight ahead and noticed that the lead guy had missed the turn.  Oblivious to everyone shouting, onward he went, so sure of his commanding lead.  I burst out laughing.  It was funny.  (Reminder--always know the course.  Especially if you hope to lead the race.)  Because of this mistake, the initial leader would not find a place in the top 5, though I'm not sure he would have anyway.  The final top three runners are pretty solid.

But back to the race.  It felt terrible.  Every step I took was labored.  And what the heck? Are those SOYBEANS I see?!  To make matters worse, at the halfway turn, we found ourselves running straight into the wind. Ugh.  Luckily, the race didn't last forever as it was only a 5k.  I ended winning the women's division and placing 5th overall finisher.  Not a PR, but not a personal worst.  Given everything, I'll take it.  I felt so sick afterwards that I had to ask the race director for my award early. (I am unable to post the race results because I cannot find them.  Strange given my talents for finding race results.)

Initially, I wasn't too concerned with the GI developments from the night before.  Those type of things tend to pass quickly.  However, here it is Monday afternoon and I'm still sick as a dog.  I'm exhausted, have been sleeping 24/7, and can barely keep any food in my system.  I keep trying to decide if I need immodium, pepto, or advil.  And this couldn't have come at a worse time as I have my Ironman this weekend.  I can barely walk up the stairs, let alone compete a race of 140.6 miles. This better pass ASAP.  There is so much time and money invested in this weekend's activities.

I'll end on this: As I was willing myself better today by taking a nap, I had a dream about Ironman Boulder.  Instead of the biking 112 miles, the race participants would be performing a group dance instead.  See how well my mind knows me?!  Terrible biker, fabulous dancer. HA!