I'm on my way back

Running has been spotty since the Columbus Marathon 2 weeks ago.  I did a couple of recovery runs, then I skipped running altogether for a few days while traveling.  Then when we returned home, I didn't run because I went ahead and got the plague.  I was finally feeling up to running again on Thursday evening, so Joe and I hit up the Second Sole group run and I felt great.

Mile 1: 8:11

2: 8:19

3: 8:14

I ran with our friend Rob, who had to forgo running entirely for over a month due to some kidney stones.  Rob tried to pull me back a number of times during that run, but my body wanted to keep on pushing.  At the end of the run, he thanked me for not letting up.  I was pumped that I was able to pull that off after recovering from a marathon and then being sick as a dog.  However, as soon as the run ended, my lungs went all buck-wild and I was coughing like a mofo.  Hacking at the end of a run has been the norm since Thursday evening.  Throughout the workout I'm fine; able to talk and breathe normally with no need to cough or even clear my throat.  As soon as I slow down to a walk, though, I'm a phlegmy shit-show.  It's gross.

I don't know if it's the sickness, the quick switch to cold weather running, or still needing some recovery time after the marathon, but Friday, Saturday, and today, running hasn't been easy.  Not gonna lie--I was kicking ass yesterday and this morning, hitting negative splits on a 9- and 6-miler respectively.  I just haven't felt good while moving and it's mostly mental.  I run ahead of our group, worried that if I fall behind them, I will never catch up.  I feel bad that I am not socializing, but can't let myself slow down for fear that I'll end up walking home alone.  So I run hard.

I can't wait to feel normal again.  I have some big expectations for a spring marathon which are going to require some serious training over the winter and the sooner I can start working toward that goal, the better.