Yesterday morning I was up at 6:30 and out the door by 7:15 for my planned 3 ½ hour long run. I quickly fell into a 6:00/K (9:39/M) pace as it gradually became light outside. First I ran the first half of my familiar 14K route, then crossed over to the Graben Running Club trails. After about two hours of running (mostly gravel paths) I turned onto the asphalt bike path that would take me toward the city of Karlsruhe (south). At this point I was feeling good and still maintaining my pace.
After about 2 ½ hours I started feeling kind of weak, so took a quick walk break to munch on a sports bar that I had with me. I started up again but after another 10 minutes I was feeling worse than before. I trudged on hoping it would get better, but after a few minutes again felt nauseous, so took another walk break. I guessed the flu symptoms that I had been fighting all week hadn’t left me completely. Anyway, by this time I knew something wasn’t right so thought about my options, I was in a section of forest where there was no direct route home. I was at least an hour’s run from home no matter which way I went, and that at a steady run.
As it was raining lightly and was slightly windy I kept moving, trying to run 10, walk 2 (minutes). I eventually reached a canal that I normally pass on this route and remembered that there was a streetcar (Tram) stop farther down the canal somewhere. As I was starting to get really cold by this time I decided to follow the path along the canal until I reached the Tram stop and ride the rest of the way home. About 30 minutes later I finally reached the Tram stop, just in time to see it drive away. As yesterday was a holiday in Germany I knew the next Tram wasn’t going to show up for another 40 minutes. I was still around 8K from home, and was freezing to death, so I ended up calling my wife who picked me up about 15 minutes later.
I ended up running (or walking) for 3 hours and 40 minutes, with probably half of the last 40 minutes in particular being walking. When I got home it turns out I had some fever, which didn’t surprise me by this time. After a good tongue lashing from my wife, I took a hot bath, ate a little and took a nap. Today, after finally having a good night’s sleep, the fever is about gone and I feel better than I have all week.
I am thankful that I had my cell phone with me yesterday and that it was a warmer day (9C/48F). I only wished I had taken my lousy feeling all week to heart and not have been so ambitious. In any case I survived and am going to try to take it a little easier this week. With my 50K three weeks away I have to make sure I am well rested and healthy.
Jack,
That sounds perfectly awful. Funny thing is, I know it had to be really bad for you to call your wife for a ride - lucky you had your cell phone with you. Hope you continue to feel better so you are in top form for your 50k.
Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you.
Oh yes, great you had your cell phone with you!
You planned shorter hours and ended being longer on your legs, that counts. :o)
Hope you're feeling better! I've used my phone to call for reinforcements several times before! They're so handy to have with you!