Sniffles

In a manner I should have predicted, I developed sore throat and nasal congestion after last Sunday's 36k effort. This has been a pattern anytime I run half marathon or longer at anything faster than easy pace.

Research reveals I am not the only one. A significant percentage of runners get these symptoms after a long run or race (47% after one Ultra). It may not be infection but rather an allergic type process, although the immune system does dip after a sustained hard effort.

So what to do? I need to do some runs of this type in a mara buildup. Vitamin C has some beneficial effect and I will certainly make that a more regular thing. I also think I have previously been a bit too reserved in running with these symptoms. But as I know all too well, I continue to push too hard at some times when I shouldn't, but feel good.

So on to this week. Took Monday and Wed off due to symptoms, and only did one 'quality' session - 6k tempo on friday. Todays long run was controlled. I wanted to run shorter with some periods at MP. Once again a very humid morning made things tough.

Tues 10.3k @ 4:55min/km
Thurs 10.3k @ 4:50
Fri 10k @ 4:27 with 6k tempo 4:15
Sat 10.3k @ 4:56
Sun 27.5k @4:53. 1st 12k 5:00s,3k @4:45s, 4k @ 4:35s, last 8k 4:50-5:00s

So a quieter period continues - but last 9 weeks average 83.3k per week, versus 42.7 for the equivalent leadup weeks to Perth Mara last year!Only 3 hard training weeks to go!!