3 weeks before Christmas, I was struck down by a very nasty bout of flu with high temperature, headache and chest infection. The fever and headache last over a week but the chest infection lasted 3 weeks. I had to take sick leave from work and then work from home for over 2 weeks. I missed out 4 Christmas dos’ including the work one and the Comets RRC one. I was so gutted because I was so looking forward to the Ciao Bella meal. Every time I eat at Ciao Bella, I always feel like I am on holiday in Italy eating out at a local Italian restaurant. Needless to say, I couldn’t do any exercise for 3 weeks.
My sister gave me a Christmas present to spend a day at the health spa at the Marriott Hotel. On 27th December, I made use of my Christmas present to go to the health spa with my sister. Apart from enjoying my pampering with a full body massage, steam room, sauna and indoor pool, I mustered my courage to run on the treadmill for the first time in over 3 weeks. I survived 4.7 miles in one hour without having to stop to cough or to catch my breath. This was definitely a confidence booster to go back to running particularly 5 days before the Hyde Park New Year’s Day 10K. We signed up this event long time before my flu. During my illness, I thought I would have to give it a miss. But after my attempt on the treadmill, I thought I might be OK to do the NYD 10K. On 29th December, I ran on the treadmill again at home and this time I managed to finish 6 miles in 72 minutes also without stopping. My chest was almost all clear by then. I still had the sinusitis but as long as my chest is clear, I can run.
I went to bed at 8pm on the New Year’s Eve to have a good night sleep. I told myself the next morning when I got up, if I felt rough, I would give the NYD 10k a miss. If I felt OK, I would give it a go. On the New Year’s Day, the cough had totally gone. My nose was still a bit blocked due the sinusitis but overall, I felt OK. So, I decided to join John and my sister to do the NYD 10K. This was my first outdoor run in 4 weeks and I was petrified. After I had picked up my bib number and time chip strap, I obediently wrote down my details and emergency contact on the back of the bib. I must admit I don’t often bother to do it but this time it was very important to do so just in case I passed out.
I didn’t go mad at all because I couldn’t. I paced myself to 11-minute mile. I had lost 4 kilos in 4 weeks during my illness dropping from 55.5 kgs to 51.5 kg. I felt a lot lighter but also the lack of muscle mass required to drive my body forward had slowed me down a lot. If I was a car, my lungs are my engine and my 4 limbs are my 4 wheels. Unfortunately, all my 4 wheels have shrunk and do not have the strength to carry me. I finished in 1:08’53”. I usually feel disappointed with the pace of 11’07” but not this time. I was in fact so pleased and relieved to have finished the 10K without any drama. John finished in 1:15’48”. John was quite pleased because he had the flu at the end of November which lasted for over 2 weeks hence, he had also missed out exercise. My sister Fidelia finished in 59’11”. She was also pleased to have finished sub one hour. For full results, please visit:
http://results.eventchiptiming.com/results.aspx?CId=16202&RId=8195
Parkruns
After the NYD 10K, I resumed my regular training and even started to take part in the weekly Parkrun event at the Oak Hill Park in Barnet which is only one and half miles from our house. The 5k Parkrun is a perfect way for me to get back to running. It is a free-of-charge event and no need to register. 5k is a lot less pressure than 10k. After doing the Regents Park 10K Winter Series for 16 consecutive years, I have decided to have a break from this event and did not sign up for the 2019-2020 Winter Series. My decision has nothing to do with my flu because I didn’t take part in the October and December events either. My main reason is the registration fee is quite pricey with £18 per event. They used to give a discount for those who sign up for all 6 series in which runners buy 6 events for the price of 5. But they stopped a few years ago. Another reason is the finisher’s medal is identical for the past few years. They just replace the lanyard with different years. As a result, I have accumulated about 20 identical finisher’s medals with just different lanyards for different years.
So far, I have only done 2 Parkruns. I hope to do it more regularly. With my barcode card, I can take part in any of the 1,400 locations in 22 different countries across 5 continents in the world – no need to sign up, just turn up, free-of-charge!!
