11 Days To Boston: SI Joint Injury Update

I'm back again with an update, with a little more clarity than I had in my previous update.  I'll first provide a brief overview of the situation, then a detailed timeline (more for my own sake to remember how this progressed) and then I will do a little rant about of navigating the healthcare system. Feel free to skim, as this is admittedly a boring post. 

What I've learned since my last blog post:

• MRI showed healthy discs. I have minor bulging, but nothing that would cause this type of pain
  
• The root of the problem is very likely my SI joint 
• That said, I do have some tendinitis around the left hip and a tight Piriformis, which are likely compensatory issues from bracing the SI Joint pain. It's one big chain reaction.

Progress since last blog post:

• Walking is now pain-free 75% of the time, and during the other 25% it's slightly noticeable
• I was prescribed a 6-day course of MethylPREDNISolone, and I have no idea if the improvement is from that or from my time off running. I finished it today.
• I took 9 complete rest days from running, but I did do PT exercises and foam rolling
• I didn't try to cross train because certain movements aggravate the area that aren't running, like leaning forward. Healing was my top priority; not maintaining fitness.
• I received a cortisone injection into the SI joint today

Timeline
After seeing my doctor on Tuesday, March 29, I scheduled an MRI for the following Tuesday (which then I was able to bump up a day to Monday April 4). I wanted to rule out a bulging disc. 

March 30-April 3
I had zero change, zero pain relief Wednesday-Saturday, which was discouraging as I had stopped running entirely. My doctor prescribed a prescription for 1000mg a day of Naproxen, but that didn't help at all.

On Friday, I decided to get a second opinion from another doctor who ideally would be able to give me a cortisone shot, as I wasn't getting any relief with rest or with Naproxen or with PT/dry needling. This doctor was not at all helpful, but he did tell me to stop taking the Naproxen and instead start a 6-day round of MethylPREDNISolone. Those are steroids, which I started on Saturday, April 3 and finished today.

During this time I refrained from running and did minimal walking. But I did some light PT exercises for the hips and glutes, along with stretching and foam rolling. I also used my RapidReboot hip attachment for compression therapy. I didn't want to go too crazy with the PT exercises because I hadn't been prescribed any by my PT and I wasn't sure it was an SI Joint issue. I just did some common sense stretching and strengthening that didn't cause pain.

April 4-6
Monday was the first day I noticed some relief. Finally it wasn't painful with each step, so I figured the rest + steroids were working. Monday was also the day of my MRI. I actually somewhat enjoy having MRIs. It requires you to be alone with your thoughts; no distractions. A great mental toughness practice.

On Tuesday, April 5, after taking nine consecutive rest days, I decided to go for a test run. Pain with walking was almost entirely gone by this point. I ran with an SI Joint belt, which had been recommended to me by a few people on Instagram as well as a doctor friend. I don't think the SI Joint Belt helped, but I do like the support it provides while doing my daily activities. On Tuesday's run, I did a run/walk series, with the run portions getting progressively longer (2 mins, 3 mins, 5 mins, 7 mins) to see how things were feeling. Pain around the SI Joint kicked in about 15 minutes into the run. And then it quickly spread to the glute and hip and I ended up stopping at 22 minutes. This was extremely discouraging.

After the run/walk I foam rolled, stretched, used a massage gun, and took an epsom salt bath and things calmed down and were back to normal. 

I got the MRI report which I didn't quite understand, but my doctor friend told me it was all clear and that the pain was not disc-related. I have some slightly bulging discs, but they aren't causing me problems. 

My run the following day, April 6. was SO MUCH better! I ran for 4.4 miles, including a few short walk breaks. No SI Joint pain, but my hip did tighten up on me a few times, and I had to stop and stretch. This could be because I did not wear the SI Joint belt, and my PT told me later that day that I probably didn't need one because my pelvis didn't need additional stability. During our session he did an adjustment to help the hip, and he also performed dry needling on my back, glute, and hip. It was painful.

Later that evening, I had a virtual visit with my favorite medical provider, a sports chiropractor who recently moved across the country. He was my go-to for ten years and I trust his opinion entirely. I probably should have done this virtual visit two weeks ago, but I was skeptical that virtual would help much. In hindsight, I think he would have provided the clarity I needed sooner rather than a lot of the ambiguous answers I had been getting from other providers. 

This sports chiropractor has helped me overcome everything that has popped up over the years. Talking to him was very reassuring. I was on the fence about getting a cortisone injection and he was in favor of it. He told me what to expect, gave me some exercises and advised on how to proceed. 

Today, April 7, I ran 6.6 miles 100% pain free thanks to the PT session the day before. No hip tightening, no SI Joint pain. I ran it as a progression run because I had a ton of energy and threw in some strides. It felt amazing to be back out there again. I still decided to get the cortisone injection because I didn't want the pain to return, and today would be my last chance before my doctor left town. I learned that there are very few risks with cortisone in the SI joint, and the potential reward was high. 

I've had two cortisone injections in the past, but they were both somewhere in the 2007-2008 timeframe and not for my SI Joint. One was the ankle and I think the other was the knee, but it might have been the hip.

My plan is to take a rest day tomorrow to recover from the injection, do a short/easy run on Saturday and then attempt a longish run on Sunday. I'll have to play it by ear and see how everything feels, but that's the plan for right now. My doctor actually cleared me to run tomorrow but in general I feel like she allows me to run when I really shouldn't! 

Venting Frustrations
I think I would be much better off if I had a cortisone shot last week; but my doctor didn't have any availability on the schedule until today. I tried to get one at my initial appointment on March 29, but she said that she didn't have time during that appointment. I wish I would have pushed harder to get the shot right then and there instead of waiting 9 more days. Then I wouldn't have had to mess with the medications or the MRI. SI Joint injections are used for diagnostic purposes because if the pain goes away, then it was definitely SI Joint.

Instead, it was a roller coaster of trying different medications, scheduling an MRI and trying to get insurance to approve it (they did not), and not really knowing what the issue was or if I was going to be able to finish Boston. And it took a full week since my initial appointment to get real pain relief. 

I've spent so much time on the phone trying to schedule PT sessions, trying to get an earlier cortisone shot (without success), working through the MRI scheduling and insurance, trying two different prescription drugs. Basically feeling helpless, frustrated and uncertain!

It's much easier when you know what your injury is, how long it will take to recover, and clear instructions on how to proceed. (Like a stress fracture, for example). It's also easier when it doesn't pop up three weeks before the Boston Marathon. So while I handled Covid pretty well, and while I handled my groin injury pretty well, I really struggled with the uncertainty on this one. It was difficult to stay positive.

BUT, I think I am finally coming through to the other side and I'm done with the worst of it. I have the cortisone shot, I have two PT sessions set up for next week, I know I'm not dealing with a disc issue, I have guidance on how much to run and what PT exercises to do, I'm no longer taking medications, and I had a 6-mile pain-free run this morning! I had none of this on Monday of this week.

My primary goal is to get to the start line feeling good so I will prioritize that over trying to salvage my fitness. At Boston, my main goal is to finish the race and ideally be able to walk when I am done (or at the very least, to be able to walk later that day!)  I've already been to the Boston medical tent once and I have no desire to return. I also want a good finish line photo. I haven't been happy with my finish line photos from my previous Bostons!

If you read all of this. . . you're a real trooper! 

3 Weeks Until Boston and OUCH!

With less than three weeks until the Boston Marathon, an injury has popped up, bringing my training to a complete halt. I'm going to document all the details here, mostly so I can go back and reference them, but the punchline is that I am having issues with SI joint inflammation; something completely new to me. The joys of growing older! 

How it started
On Tuesday, March 15, I was doing deadlifts with the hex bar during a strength training session with my coach. I have done these many times in the past and I was using a slightly lighter weight than I had used in my previous session. As I completed the set of 5, I noticed a crunchy/pinchy sensation in my lower back/left upper glute. It was so minor that I didn't even tell my coach! When I do strength training I get little things like this a lot. I did a little jog-in-place to shake the legs out but the weird sensation remained. 

Ever since that session I have had a mild pinching sensation around the left SI joint. I didn't even realize this was my SI joint because I have zero experience with back injuries. I continued to run without any problems or pain. The following Saturday, March 19, I ran 18 miles with 10 at marathon effort (pictured). Even though I felt a little pinch the whole time, it didn't impact me at all and seemed totally minor.

How it progressed
The first red flag was on the following Tuesday, one week after the deadlifts (March 22). I ran a very challenging workout that combined track intervals (1600, 1200, 800, 400) with road miles in between each interval at tempo effort. The workout went really well and I had no pain whatsoever. I hit all my desired paces. Greg took videos and my gait was totally even and balanced. 

When the workout ended, that minor pain in my lower back became much more prominent. In fact, it hurt to walk! I walked a little bit and then I began my cooldown. My cooldown was very uncomfortable. I noticed that the slower I ran the more it hurt, but I obviously wasn't going to run super fast on a cooldown. So I cut the cooldown short because my lower back/SI joint was painful. 

I told my coach about it and we had a zoom meeting to discuss it. At that point it really seemed like it was a tight glute medius. That seemed to be the bigger problem than the pain around the joint. I'm guessing that the joint pain was exactly the same but that the running caused all the surrounding muscles to tense up, so now I had muscular tightness as well.

March 22 track/road workout

I went to physical therapy the next day and my PT said that my glute medius was extremely tight and also that one leg was slightly longer than the other. He did something to get the legs the same length again and did deep tissue massage on the glute. We also did some exercises to get me using the glute normally. I told him I had a hill workout the next day and he said as long as it didn't bother me while running, I would be fine.

So the following day, Thursday, I ran a hill workout with tempo runs in between the hill sprints. Running up and down hill felt fine. The tempo run felt fine. I could feel a slight pinch, but it was totally mild. BUT - just like Tuesday, the cool down run was very painful. I was stiff and it was hard to move. 

By Friday, my glute muscle seemed to be in good shape but now the lower back pain around the SI joint was more prominent. That's when I decided to see a chiropractor. In retrospect, I should have gone to the chiropractor the day after I deadlifted (9 days earlier) but I didn't think to do that because it was such a minor issue. He told me my SI joint was out of place and he gave me an adjustment to put it back in place. I unfortunately didn't feel any relief from the adjustment but he said it worked so I assumed everything was ok. 

The final straw
The next morning (March 26), it was time for my longest run of the cycle: 23 miles. My plan was to run from Leesburg to Falls Church on the WOD so that the run would feel like it had a purpose vs. an out and back. Greg and I would drive to Leesburg, he would run the first 8 miles with me, turn around, get the car, drive to Falls Church and pick me up. 

I was nervous about this run and I was debating if I should even do it. On the one hand, I had visions of the run making the issue so much worse and having to stop on the trail. On the other hand, things felt fine and I really wanted to do the 23-mile run. I was totally looking forward to it and once that was complete I told myself I could take a few days off if needed. I wish someone had told me that you should take it easy the day after a chiropractic adjustment. But I hardly ever get adjustments, so this is all new to me. Also, if I knew that was the case, I may have delayed the adjustment until after the long run!

Greg and I ran 8.5 miles together and then it was time for him to turnaround. I did feel the pain around my SI joint, and it was slightly worse than it had been on the previous weekend's long run. But still manageable. When he turned around, I was fairly confident (let's say 80% confident) that I would be able to make it to 23 miles. Or at least 20, which would still be plenty. 

I continued on my own and I stopped briefly at mile 10 to toss my water bottle in a trash can and take a gel. I noticed that my glute and hip were a little annoyed, and the first few steps after the stop were difficult. But once again, totally manageable. But after another mile or so, things really started to go south! My hip started seizing up, my glute was in pain, and my lower back hurt even more. Over the course of 5 minutes, everything started going crazy until I was forced to stop. At 12.09 miles.

I was about a mile away from a shopping center where I could sit inside a Starbucks, call Greg from my Apple Watch and wait for him. But I couldn't walk! I just stood there on the side of the trail feeling paralyzed. Lots of people asked me if I needed help but I told them I would be fine and I was going to call for help. Thankfully, I was very close to a break in the fences/grass/trees that surround the trail and was able to slowly get myself into the back of a parking lot of an office park. If this had happened at mile 15, 16, or 17 I would have been screwed because that's "no-man's land" and there are very few trail exit points.

The pain got pretty bad and it brought me to tears. I knew that Greg still had to run 4-5 miles back to the car in Leesburg so I called my friend Cheryl who lives in Reston. I knew I was in Reston (it was technically Herndon) and I gave her the name of the of the business I was standing in front of so she could find it on Google and come to me. The main reason I needed Cheryl was because it was 49 degrees and I was wearing a tank top and shorts. That's perfectly fine attire if you are moving, but it got cold very quickly when I stopped moving. She found me shivering with blue lips and gave me her jacket as I sat in her warm car. There, she gave me tons of info on SI joint pain (she's dealt with it) and we waited for Greg to come pick me up. Greg called the chiropractor who I had seen the day before and got me in to see him immediately. Thank goodness!

The chiropractor said the SI joint was still in alignment but now the hip was out of alignment and all the muscles around the glute and hip were extremely tense. He corrected the hip, but I still had a ton of difficulty walking around the rest of the day. 

Recovery
I spent the rest of Saturday and all day Sunday icing the area, taking Aleve and using my Rapid Reboot compression system for the hips and glutes. I already had a massage scheduled for Sunday and she did deep tissue work and cupping. Most all movements were difficult. Especially going up stairs, bending over and sneezing. Sneezing was the worst of all. 

On Monday I was back in my PT's office for dry needling and a walk on the Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill. The walk was to help my brain realize that everything was okay, I could walk normally, I didn't need to tense up and brace for pain. On Tuesday I was able to get in with my sports medicine doctor who finally provided me with some clarity on the situation. 

Official Diagnosis
According to my doctor, it's most likely SI joint inflammation with tension of the surrounding muscles and inflammation around the hip (trochanter). She said there was a slight possibility that I had a bulging disk, which could only be ruled out through MRI. I definitely wanted to rule out a bulging disk, so I am getting an MRI next week.

Because it's most likely inflammation and muscle tension, she prescribed a therapeutic dose of Naproxen (NSAID) and continued PT. If my symptoms don't improve within a week I will go back for a cortisone injection. Normally I would try to avoid an injection, but with Boston coming up, I will do whatever is needed to get to the start line feeling good.

So for now it's rest, PT, and NSAIDs. Once I start to feel better I will attempt running again. I'm going to be fairly conservative, as my goal is to get to Boston feeling good. I don't think I can salvage much training at this point. Most likely it will be a full week off of running and then short, easy runs as I gradually return. 

I can now walk with a normal gait and the pain isn't anywhere near what it was over the weekend. I am seeing dramatic improvements each day and I hope this trend continues. This certainly sucks, but I wasn't trying to PR at Boston anyway. I just want to be healthy when I get there. 

Boston Marathon Training & Amazon Sponsorship

It's been a while since I have updated my blog. The last time I posted I had just made a full recovery from Covid and was starting to train again. 

The big news is that Amazon reached out to me about a month ago, offering to sponsor me in the Boston Marathon! They found me on Instagram and said they were running a campaign with the Boston Marathon around the 50th anniversary of women running the race.

Amazon is an official sponsor of the Boston Marathon and as part of their sponsorship, they are promoting female runners for this 50th anniversary. What does it mean to be sponsored by Amazon? They have covered my travel expenses and my registration fee, they have given me loads of free gear (of my choosing) along with some extra cash and perks. In return, I share my training on social media and the gear that I am using from Amazon. 

Here is a link to Amazon's Boston Marathon page, which features the women they are sponsoring.

Here is a link to my personal storefront with all my favorite gear.

I have been enjoying working with the PR agency that represents the Boston Marathon & Amazon on this campaign. It's actually somewhat surreal because I tried for 8+ years to qualify for the Boston Marathon and now this amazing opportunity has come up!

Training Update
Training is going really well, especially considering I had to take over three weeks off in January. I've been able to do all my workouts and hit all my paces without feeling burnt out and without any niggles or injuries appearing. 

For long runs, I have switched from the Nike Odyssey React to the ASICS Gel Nimbus Lite, and that has made a huge difference with my Achilles tendinopathy. The Nike is a bouncy shoe with a 10mm drop. The ASICS has a 13mm shoe and doesn't compress as much. They don't even make the Nike Odyssey React anymore, but I had stock piled a few pairs. The good news is that the long runs aren't painful for my Achilles like they used to be. The problem still exists, but it's milder than it was before. 

My long run progression has been as follows:

February 11: 10 miles easy (8:51 average)
February 19: 14.1 miles easy (8:31 average)
February 26: 17.5 miles easy (8:19 average)
March 5: 18 miles with 8 at marathon pace, MP miles averaged 7:20
March 11: 20.2 miles easy (8:41 average)

I am happy with my endurance and stamina. I have been logging 55+ miles a week for the past four weeks, and I'm on track to run 70 this week. My speed isn't what it once was, as evidenced by a set of 9 x 800m. Those averaged around 3:17, which is slower than my usual 800m time, but it was windy that day so I can't complain. 

I continue to have weekly strength training sessions with my coach and those are one hour long. I do a shorter version of the exercises she gives me on one other day of the week. I want to prepare my quads for all the downhill of Boston. 

I got my bib number and I will be in the same corral that I was in back in 2018. Wave 2, corral 5. Even though my qualifying time is 3 full minutes faster, the race has gotten more competitive so I haven't moved up. 

I am not planning on running any races between now and Boston. I am registered for the Shamrock half, but when I got Covid, I decided that I didn't want to sacrifice training for the taper/recovery needed to run an all-out half marathon. I had also been registered for a 5K on the Friday 10 days out from Boston, but they canceled that race due to construction on the course. 

So everything is coming together nicely and I am thankful for every day I am healthy and able to run. I am cautiously optimistic about this race, knowing that anything can happen between now and then! Exactly two years ago they canceled the race, so now I'm not ruling anything out. I'm taking things one day at a time and I'm so thankful to be training for such an amazing marathon. 

The Ultimate Tracksmith Gear Review

Ah, Tracksmith. The brand I love to hate and hate to love. 

What is Tracksmith?
Tracksmith is a high-end running apparel company based in Boston, MA. Founded in 2014, the brand markets itself to the "amateur" runner, with "amateur" meaning not professional, but definitely competitive. They even sponsored runners in the 2020 Olympic trials.

They sell primarily running clothing with a few overpriced accessories like an umbrella ($88), sunglasses ($255), and a necklace ($600). Their prices are about 50-80 percent higher than traditional brands like Nike, adidas, New Balance and Saucony and their color palate is somewhat muted, understated and neutral.

They rarely have sales and you have to spend $150 to get free shipping. They don't sell through any distributors that I know of. You can buy their clothing online or in their Boston store. They have a program called "Hare AC" which gives you a $100 gift card if you set a PR while wearing Tracksmith gear. You need to submit proof that the race was a PR and you were wearing Tracksmith. This program costs $198 to join, although it does come with a singlet and you get free shipping without having to spend a minimum amount.

Tracksmith gear has become somewhat of a status symbol in the running community, and I think that is their goal. If you wear Tracksmith you are saying, "I am a serious runner who spends serious money on my gear."

Hate to love and love to hate
Based on my description above, you can probably guess why I hate to love and love to hate this brand. I hate to love it because I have spent way too much money on their gear. I really do not need to pay for expensive running clothing, but I do anyway. I also hate to love it because I'm not a status symbol person. I don't buy designer handbags, belts or shoes. And yet I believe Tracksmith to be a status symbol.

I love to hate Tracksmith because I find the advertising to be a little pretentious and the prices for some of the items to be ridiculous ($48 for a pair of running undies!). They also have some really ugly items that I can't believe people would get. Their Black Friday deal was something on the order of "spend $150 this week and get 10% off a future order". Wow- how generous. 

Outside the Boston store

So then why do I have so much Tracksmith stuff? It makes no logical sense! It's an emotional purchase, for the most part. I enjoy the material (it's unlike traditional brands), the packaging, and the styles (for the most part). The pieces are high quality and they have a unique aesthetic. I like that the brand stands for the competitive amateur, and I feel fast when I wear it. That's excellent marketing. 

As a marketing professional myself, I applaud them for having marketing campaigns that are so effective, runners are willing to pay nearly twice the price for their gear. Good marketing appeals to the consumer's emotions. Want to show up at a race and look fast? Feel fast? Have disposable income? Tracksmith is the brand for you. 

They do have excellent customer service and if you need to exchange your item for a different size, they will ship it out to you immediately without having to purchase another item and/or wait for your return to be processed. I find that their items run true-to-size or slightly small. I wear an XS in everything except for the Bell Lap top. 

With that said, I will now review some gear items from Tracksmith. 

On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being "excellent" and 1 being "poor" - here are my thoughts.

The Van Cortlandt Singlet ($65)
This is a lightweight loose-fitting singlet available in both men's and women's versions. Usually when you think about Tracksmith, this is the singlet that comes to mind as it is their signature piece. They come out with new colors each season. I have 3 of these and Greg has 1. If you want other runners to know that you are wearing Tracksmith, this is the piece you get. I think this singlet is okay. It doesn't have much shape to it but it looks fast!

• Comfort: 4
• Fit: 3 
• Material: 4
• Style: 3
• Value for money: 3 

The Van Cortlandt Singlet

The Twilight Tank ($62)
This fitted tank is available in both men's and women's versions. I prefer this tank to the Van Cortlandt Singlet because it's more flattering and less boxy. The material is super comfortable and lightweight. I have two of these and would probably buy another one if they came out with a color I really liked. Note, in 2021 the price of the Twilight Tank was $52, and I ranked it a "4" in Value for Money. Now in 2022 it is priced at $62 so I have downgraded it to a "3". 

• Comfort: 4
• Fit: 4
• Material: 4
• Style: 4
• Value for money: 3

Tracksmith Twilight Tank

The Bell Lap Top ($75)

This is a women's crop top that does not have a built in bra. So far Tracksmith has not come out with a bra that supports my cup size (32D) so I wear a regular sports bra under this crop top. I'll be honest, the main reason I like this top is because it looks fast and feels fast. The material is heavier than I would like. They re-modeled this piece at some point in 2020, making it smaller. I like the new version better than the previous version because the fit is more streamlined. I like to race in this top because it looks fast!

• Comfort: 4
• Fit: 4
• Material: 3
• Style: 5
• Value for money: 3

The Tracksmith Bell Lap Top

Lane 5 Crop Top ($72)
This Crop Top is similar to to the Bell Lap top. It looks almost identical to the Bell Lap with the exception of the signature diagonal stripe, which is reserved for the Bell Lap. The Lane 5 is just a tad longer, too. The Lane 5 Crop Top can be worn with or without a bra underneath it, depending on how much support you need. I definitely need a sports bra under it, but I have talked to another woman who doesn't wear a sports bra under hers. A non-padded, slim profile sports bra like the Nike Fe/Nom Flyknit or the Zensah Gazelle 2.0 are both good options to wear under Lane 5 for extra support. This top fits me a tad looser than the Bell Lap top. The Bell Lap is slightly more compressive. As you can see from the ratings below, I don't have a preference of Lane 5 or Bell Lap. They are almost the same top in my book with a $3 price difference. 

• Comfort: 4
• Fit: 4
• Material: 3
• Style: 5
• Value for money: 3 

The Tracksmith Lane 5 Crop Top (and Lane 5 Shorts)

The Harrier Long Sleeve ($84)

This long sleeve shirt is available in both men's and women's versions. As far as long-sleeved t-shirts go, this one is super comfortable and flattering. But that's for everyday wear. I don't particularly like running in this shirt because when you sweat the material gets wet and it noticeably looks wet. It doesn't seem to breathe as well as other running tops. I like this shirt as an everyday shirt or something to slip on after a race. So if you want to spend $84 on a comfy t-shirt to throw on after a run, go for it!

• Comfort: 4
• Fit: 4
• Material: 2
• Style: 3
• Value for money: 2

The Tracksmith Harrier Long Sleeve

The Brighton Base Layer ($88)
This long sleeve shirt is available in both men's and women's version and both Greg and I have one! Actually, I have two. I really like this piece. It has the signature diagonal stripe, but it's less pronounced because it's the same color as the rest of the shirt. It's form-fitted and has a long length. I wore this shirt in a snowy 5K and the snow stuck to shirt instead of the shirt soaking it in, which kept me warmer than a traditional long-sleeve. I love this fit, the fabric and the style. I highly recommend this one. Note: this is one of the few items that has NOT increased in price from 2021 to 2022. 

• Comfort: 5
• Fit: 4
• Material: 5
• Style: 5
• Value for money: 4

The Brighton Base Layer

The Downeaster ($148)

This merino wool top is my absolute favorite Tracksmith piece! I have 3 of them plus the "Wind Block" version ($188). If you only buy one Tracksmith piece in your life, it should be this. It's a lightweight material but keeps me warm in cold weather. I find that it's ideal for temperatures in the high 20's to low 30's and I don't wear anything underneath it. For colder temps I would probably throw a tank on underneath. The Wind Block version works well on those brutal cold and windy days. I wore it in 26 degrees with 12 mph winds and felt comfortable. I haven't seen anything similar from other brands aside from Smart Wool, which is also pricey. You do need to be careful when washing this top. Delicate cycle only and line dry.

• Comfort: 5
• Fit: 5
• Material: 5
• Style: 5
• Value for money: 4

The Tracksmith Downeaster

The Turnover Half-Zip ($128)

This long-sleeve half-zip comes in both men's and women's versions. I feel like all running apparel brands have their signature long-sleeved half zip for cold weather and this is Tracksmith's. I really love the material on this one. I wear the Downeaster on easy runs and easy-paced long runs, but I break out the Turnover Half Zip for speed work. The Downeaster is a cozy feeling while the Turnover is a "work hard" feeling. It wicks the sweat well and is best for temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s if you are doing speed work. (Disclaimer: I am a warm runner so most people would probably wear this in the high 30s to low 40s). I think this piece is rather pricey for what it is and you can get similar things from other brands, but I do like it quite a bit. It's a little short in terms of length, but I appreciate that for the sake of performance.

• Comfort: 5
• Fit: 4
• Material: 5
• Style: 4
• Value for money: 3

The Turnover Half Zip w/Turnover Tights

The Trackhouse Crew ($110)

This sweatshirt is basically just a really nice sweatshirt. I don't think it's meant for running (I don't run in it), but it's nice to throw on after a cold race and before you have a chance to shower. I wear mine while working from home and while out running errands. It has a boxy cut and it's on the shorter side. Sweatshirts are "in" right now this one is about as stylish as you can make a sweatshirt. I have one of these from 2019 and from 2021, and they seemed to have changed it during that time. The 2019 shirt is light material while the 2021 is more substantial and heavier. I like them both - but I probably prefer the newer, warmer version. If you want an arguably over-priced sweatshirt, this is a good one to get! Note: in 2021, this sweatshirt was priced at $98 and I rated it a 2 in "Value for money". Now in 2022 it's $110 so I have downgraded it to 1. I'm glad I bought mine before inflation hit!

• Comfort: 5
• Fit: 4
• Material: 4
• Style: 3
• Value for money: 1

Trish: Brighton Base Layer. Me: Trackhouse Crew

The Session Jacket ($128)

This lightweight jacket is perfect for warming up before a workout or cooling down afterwards. It's fitted, sleek and versatile. You can also wear it at the beginning of a long run and then throw it in your car as the temperature starts to warm up. Or you can wear it as a normal everyday jacket. 

• Comfort: 4
• Fit: 4
• Material: 4
• Style: 4
• Value for money: 3

The Session Jacket

Lane 5 Short Tights ($68)

These form-fitted shorts are great if you like a tight fit. They have a 5" inseam. Most all form-fitted shorts ride up to some extent; and these do a little bit. But once you have sweated and gotten the material nice and wet, they tend to stay put! I wear these shorts in warm and humid weather and in the rain. Overall, these shorts are okay. I don't think they are anything special in terms of a tight-fitting short. I much prefer the "First Place" by Rabbit, which are shorter but seem to fit me better.

Note: When these shorts were priced at $58 back in 2021, I rated "value for money" a 2. But now in 2022 the price is $68, so I have downgraded "value for money" to 1. Some people love these shorts, but I think you can get better fitting compression shorts elsewhere.

• Comfort: 3
• Fit: 3
• Material: 4
• Style: 3
• Value for money: 1

Lane 5 Short Tights

Bell Lap Shorts ($75)

These fitted shorts are almost the exact same as the Lane 5 Short Tights, only they have a 3" inseam as opposed to a 5" inseam. Just like the. Bell Lap top, they re-modeled this piece at some point in 2020 or 2021. I prefer the previous version, which you can see in the very first photo of this post. The new version doesn't have the roll-over waistband, which I liked, and these shorts do ride up. I would not wear them for racing, which is their intended purpose. My favorite form-fitted racing short is the First Place by Rabbit. Finally, there is absolutely no reason why these shorts should be priced higher than the Lane 5 Short Tight (above) They are practically the same thing, only the Bell Lap has less material.

• Comfort: 2
• Fit: 3
• Material: 3
• Style: 3
• Value for money: 1

The new Bell Lap Shorts

Twilight Split Shorts ($62)

These loose fitting shorts are light and fast! They are available in both men's and women's versions. These shorts are comfortable and fast feeling, making your leg feel "free". They are great for speedwork and races. I prefer them to the Session Shorts ($68) which I will not review because they re-modeled them recently and I don't plan on buying the new model. The best thing about these shorts is the fabric - really light and smooth to the touch! At some point around 2020, they re-modeled this short, making them slightly longer, baggier and with more of a side slit. I'm wearing the original model in the first photo below, which I prefer to the new version. like a more streamlined fit. But the updated version is pretty good too-- the slit is pretty intense though! These shorts increased in price from $52 to $62 from 2021 to 2022. 

• Comfort: 5
• Fit: 4
• Material: 5
• Style: 4
• Value for money: 3

Tracksmith Twilight Split Shorts- original version

Twilight Split Shorts - updated version 2022

Van Cortlandt Shorts ($64)
These mesh shorts are another signature Tracksmith item that pair well with the Van Cortlandt Singlet. I really like the men's version of these on Greg but I'm not in love with the pair I have. I only have one pair (which I bought to go with the singlet) and I don't plan on buying another. I don't like the tie on these shorts- I prefer elastic waistbands with no tie. These shorts have chafed me on runs and the fit is sloppy on me. I like the burgundy color and the way they match the singlet, but that's about it.

• Comfort: 3
• Fit: 2
• Material: 3
• Style: 4
• Value for money: 2

The Tracksmith Van Cortlandt Shorts

Turnover Tights ($128)
I have a pair of these tights in normal length and in capri. I like them quite a bit and I wish they would bring back the capri length which doesn't seem to be listed on their site anymore. I don't have any other tights from Tracksmith because I have so many tights already and I've been able to resist the "emotional purchase" for some reason when it comes to tights! These are lightweight and and fitted without having compression. They are fast and they perform well. I wear them for long runs and speed work. I might get another pair at some point. The website describes these as "a cold weather running tight" but I find them to be light and I would probably want something warmer if it were under 25 degrees. 

• Comfort: 5
• Fit: 4
• Material: 4
• Style: 4
• Value for money: 3

Tracksmith Turnover Tights w/Downeaster top

Conclusion
Is Tracksmith an emotional purchase? Yes. Aren't most purchases emotional? Yes. Do we like to admit they are emotional? No. If you have never tried Tracksmith and you want some starter pieces, I recommend the Downeaster top, the Brighton Base Layer, and the Twilight Split Shorts. I love the style, material and comfort of these pieces. Tracksmith items make excellent gifts for your runner friends and family because it might be something they like but wouldn't buy for themselves. 

Covid Recovery - Slow but Steady

I hope I am not jinxing myself by saying this, but I believe myself to be 100% recovered with no lingering symptoms. In my previous post, I said that this would either be a "normal" recovery or it would turn into my mono-like illness, taking months to recover from. 

In retrospect, it seems like it has taken me slightly longer to recover than the average person, but not abnormally long. Here's a recap:

Days 1-2: Mild sore throat
I noticed that my throat was slightly scratchy. It was more of an annoyance than anything else; I had no other symptoms and was fully energized. Thankfully, I didn't run during this time because I was on vacation and was planning to take a few rest days anyway. I took the required Covid test to fly home from Mexico and it was negative.

Days 3-5: Severe sore throat, loss of voice
These were the worst days. I was moderately fatigued but I couldn't eat whole foods and I couldn't speak. I was continually spraying throat-numbing solution down my throat and using NyQuill to sleep. My at-home Covid test was negative on day 3, but positive on day 5.

Days 6-12: Body aches, coughing fits, skin rash, fatigue
My sore throat lessened in severity but I had coughing fits about 8-10 times per day and it kept me up at night. I had tiny bumps all over my back, butt and stomach, and a few on my legs. Not loads of them; maybe 20 total. I started to feel more energized by day 11, so I walked on the treadmill on days 11 and 12.

Days 13-17: Lingering fatigue, body aches
It turns out that the treadmill walk was too much and I woke up the next day feeling totally wasted. I did, however, test negative for Covid on my at-home test. At this point I think I was rid of the virus, but I was now suffering from post-viral illness, which felt similar to my mono episodes. The big difference between this and my mono episodes is that I was never tired in the sleepy sense. I didn't nap. The fatigue was more of a bodily fatigue and not a head fatigue. I also did not experience dizziness like I had with my mono.

I decided not to engage in any physical activity at all during these 5 days. I just rested. On day 17, I decided to take one of my Turmeric supplements. I had read an article about post-viral fatigue and it said that some researchers believed it to be caused by brain inflammation. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory so I figured it was worth a shot.

Days 18-22: Major improvement
The day after I took the turmeric I noticed a major improvement. If I was at 65% on day 17, I was at 85% on day 18. I felt almost normal the very next day. I decided I could go ahead and resume walking, but very slowly and only for 15 minutes. 

By this point, I had only slightly noticeable throat congestion and the sore throat was totally gone. I didn't have body aches any more. I continued with the turmeric plus the other vitamin supplement I had been taking all along (Zinc, D3, C + lots of other herbs). 

Every day from 18-22 I felt better and better, with my legs feeling stronger as I walked. Previously, they had felt like jello. 

Day 23-Today
By day 23 I was 100% symptom-free and feeling like my normal self. No lingering fatigue. No weakness. No throat congestion. I continued my walking regimen and got up to 2 miles walking before I attempted to run. My first run back was a run-walk on the treadmill because it was pouring rain outside. I did 6 x (3:00 walk, 2:00 run). And I kept the runs very easy. 

Everything felt great during the run and after the run. So I continued to progress my workouts, shortening the walk breaks and increasing the overall duration of each session. My most recent run/walk (today) was 8 x 1:00 walk, 4:00 run. This is 32 minutes of running. I didn't feel like I needed the walk breaks, but I kept them in any way as a chance to "check in" with myself to make sure everything felt normal after each run. 

I can't stress enough the importance of walking multiple times before attempting to run, and waiting to be  100% symptom free. I felt 100% symptom free for about 4 days before I started to run, and when I did run, it was a run/walk. 

While there is a protocol for returning to run post-Covid, everyone is unique and it also depends on how long you were sick and how severe the illness was. Because I have so much experience with illness, I know my body pretty well and I can tell when I am ready to walk and when I am ready to run. My rule is to always wait a few extra days after feeling ready! I probably could have run on day 22, but I waited an extra 5 days to be absolutely sure. I would much rather have a slow and steady comeback instead of a rollercoaster of ups and downs from doing too much too soon. 

Looking Ahead
Overall, this illness took about a month of training from me, plus the 2-3 weeks it will take to get back to where I was. With the Boston Marathon coming up in the middle of April, I certainly have my work cut out for me. Thankfully I was in pretty good shape before I got sick and my body adapts to workouts relatively quickly. I don't plan on doing any hard running for another week; I first need to wean myself off of walk breaks and then increase the duration of my runs. 

I'm not at all worried; I know I will be able to finish the marathon and I wasn't planning on trying to run a PR anyway. My original goal was to run a course PR and I think that's still possible, but I will re-assess as the race gets closer. 

UCAN vs. Maurten for Marathon Fueling

In my long quest to find the optimal fueling solution for my needs, I have found Maurten and UCAN to be the products that work best. How are they different? Can they be used together? Let's discuss. 

Disclaimer: These products work well for me, but each runner has unique needs. This review is based on my personal experience.

Maurten Products
I have tried all of the Maurten fueling products. They have 2 types of gels and 3 drink mixes. There are no flavors:

• Gel 100
• Gel 100 Caf 100
• Drink Mix 160
• Drink Mix 320
• Drink Mix 320 Caf 100

UCAN Products

I have tried most of the UCAN products, but the ones I will discuss are:

• UCAN Energy Powder
• UCAN Hydrate
• UCAN Edge

Hydration
Above we have 3 different gels and 5 liquids. Even though there are 5 liquids, the only product above that provides hydration with electrolytes is the UCAN Hydrate. The Maurten Drink Mix does NOT provide electrolytes. Therefore, if I am looking to carry an electrolyte drink during a training run or a marathon, I opt for UCAN Hydrate. However, if it's cold (below 45) I find that I do not need an electrolyte drink as long as I have pre-hydrated the day before.

I therefore recommend UCAN Hydrate during runs that are above 45 degrees and in the days leading up to the race. I also drink it on a daily basis just to keep my electrolytes in check in the summer months. My favorite flavors are Berry and Watermelon. 

Fueling: Differences between UCAN and Maurten
While both of these fuels are easier to digest than many other products on the market, they are very different from each other. UCAN Energy Powder uses SuperStarch, its proprietary formula for slow-release energy. The advantage to using UCAN over Maurten is that the energy is released slowly, over a long period of time and prevents spikes and crashes in blood sugar.

Maurten uses a hydrogel technology that makes the fuel super easy to digest and quickly accessible as you run. The advantage of Maurten is that it allows you to take in more calories and carbohydrates over the course of your run, which has shown to enhance performance. The more you can take in and use, the better off you will be.

Fueling for Training
For my long runs, I sometimes use Maurten and I sometimes use UCAN. One of the main training benefits of a long run is training the body to use fat for fuel and not carbs. With UCAN Energy Powder, the slow release energy doesn't overwhelm your system with carbs, so your body still gets the benefit of learning how to burn fat. Some runners do their long runs with no fuel so that they can get this fat-burning benefit. I think training with UCAN provides the same benefit. There was a direct correlation with my long runs feeling stronger and better with UCAN than before when I used Honey Stinger gels. 

I use Maurten in long runs when I want to "practice" my race fueling. I don't use UCAN Energy Powder on race day; I use Maurten gels. So it's important to train my body to digest those gels. 

When I use UCAN, I drink a full serving of the Energy Powder 30 minutes before I start. If the run is longer than 2 hours, I carry a Maurten gel with me and I take that when I have 5 miles left to go. Usually my long runs last a maximum of 2:45. If your long runs last longer, I would recommend two gels on top of the initial UCAN serving. My favorite flavor is Lemon and I have tried them all.

Now, there's also the UCAN Edge gel. I think this is probably a good product (I tried it once) but the orange flavor contains erythritol, which is a sugar alcohol that upsets my stomach. The strawberry banana flavor does not contain erythritol and I plan to experiment with that one in my next training cycle. 

Fueling: Before a Race
The Maurten Drink Mixes are excellent for drinking the evening before a race or the morning of a race. Make sure you mix it with the correct amount of water: 500ml. I don't like drinking a ton of liquid right before bed (for obvious reasons) so for a half marathon or full marathon I drink half a serving of the Drink Mix 160 the night before. The 320 might also be a good choice, but I have never done it. The difference between the two is that the 320 has 320 calories and the 160 has 160 calories. The taste is similar with the 320 being more thick. They have a light taste and they are as easy to drink as water.

No matter what the distance (5K-Marathon) I drink the Maurten Drink Mix 160 starting 3 hours before the race. For half and full marathons I end up drinking the entire serving during the 3 hours leading up to the race. I can see how the 360 or even the 360 CAF would be a good choice, but since my stomach is sensitive, I prefer to stick to the 160. I also eat an English muffin with almond butter to go along with my Maurten Drink mix.

Before discovering Maurten, I always had the UCAN Energy Powder 30 minutes before the race. This worked well until one time when it was just too much for my stomach during the Harrisburg Marathon in 2020. 

Fueling: During a Race
I once tried fueling with the Maurten Drink Mix 360 during a marathon so I wouldn't have to take as many gels. It had worked well during training and it's a good way to get in the calories easily. However, I didn't find myself to be all that energized during that marathon so I decided to abandon it for racing. It was only one time though, so I may decide in the future to go back to it. If you have problems with gels, carrying the Drink Mix 360 during your marathon would be a great solution. With 360 calories and the option to have a caffeinated version, it's solid fuel.  Here is how I fuel during races, given that I already drank my Drink Mix 160 starting 3 hours before the start.

5K and 10K: 1 Maurten Caffeinated gel about 20 minutes before the start

10 Miler: 1 Maurten Caffeinated gel about 20 minutes before the start, 1 regular Maurten gel at mile 7

Half marathon: 1 Maurten Caffeinated gel about 20 minutes after the start, 1 regular Maurten gel at mile 8

Marathon: Starting with the Caffeinated gel, alternate the two types of Maurten gels every 40 minutes. Supplement with Honey Stinger Energy chews. 

Remember, this is the fueling approach that works for me and every runner is different. Consult the official Maurten Fueling guide to see their recommendations. 

Conclusion
Both Maurten and UCAN have their place in my fueling and hydration. I use:

• UCAN Hydrate for my hydration needs
• UCAN Energy Powder for my long training runs so that my body burns fat for fuel
• The Maurten Drink Mix 160 to top of my energy stores before a race
• The Maurten gels (both Caffeinated and regular) to fuel immediately before and during a race

UCAN is a slow-release fuel with the benefit of not having to fuel as often and avoiding blood sugar spikes and crashes. Maurten is a fast-acting energy source that allows you to easily digest and use a large amount of carbs which has shown to enhance performance.

Save 10% on all UCAN products by using this link.  Or, click here for a free sample pack of UCAN and use code ECSAMPLE.

2022: A Shaky Start

This is my 500th blog post! And it's the first blog post of 2022.

The year is off to a shaky start. On New Year's Eve, I had some major digestive issues that left me feeling

January 5 snowy run

quite fatigued and unsettled. So when it came time for my annual New Year's Day race, I made the decision to run it as tempo run, not a full-out race.

New Year's Day 5K
I didn't write a blog post about this race because it wasn't really a "race" for me. Greg and I were planning to leave for our vacation in Mexico on January 7, and I didn't want to get sick beforehand because I raced a 5K when feeling worn out.

Backing up slightly. . . I received the J&J booster shot on December 19, which meant I would be fully boosted by the time I departed for Mexico on January 7. Greg and I also decided to do a self-imposed quarantine after Christmas. . . aside from the 5K race. This meant no going out to eat, curbside pickup groceries, and no going into the office. No socializing with family or friends. 

So with the vaccine booster, the self-imposed quarantine, and the decision to not race the 5K full out, I thought I was being pretty smart. The goal was to make it to vacation and back while staying healthy.

Back to the race. It was 57 degrees with light rain. I decided against my carbon fiber plate shoes because those have no traction, and I am not convinced they make me any faster in the 5K distance. So I stuck with my adidas Adios 4. 

Greg and I warmed up for about 2 miles beforehand. I had a Maurten caffeinated gel, which I hoped would sit will with my still recovering stomach. I felt decent during the warm up but definitely not good enough to want to race at 5K effort.

The first mile was downhill. I went out conservatively and was passed by about 4-5 women. By the end of the mile however, I had passed all but two of them. (6:49 split) 

I decided to increase the effort slightly in mile 2, however it ended up being my slowest mile. I passed one of the two women who were ahead of me, but then there was a slippery path we had to run on followed by another slippery wooden surface. At this point, I was passing 10K runners on a narrow path so even though I had increased my effort for the first part of the mile, I slowed down quite a bit on the slippery surface while passing other runners. (7:10 split)

The last mile was up hill and I had just one woman to catch, but I didn't have the motivation to go any faster than my strong tempo effort. (7:01 split).

I ended up with a time of 21:18 and second place. The course was short and the first place woman was 19 seconds faster than me. I am confident I would have won the race if I had given 100% effort, but there will be other races to win in the future. It wasn't my day to push hard and I was happy with my decision.

Vacation in Mexico
After the race, there was just six days left until our Mexico departure. Flights were being canceled all over the place due to Omicron and the weather. So each day I monitored the flights from Dulles to Cancun and all but one of them were on time. 

Greg and I hadn't flown since the California International Marathon in 2019. We had driven to all of our races and vacations because we wanted to avoid sitting next to strangers in close proximity. I've always viewed airline travel as having a high potential of making me sick. 

Our flight was on time, our plane was only 1/3 full. We had the entire row to ourselves and nobody sat in the row behind us either. The airport wasn't crowded. We had just recently secured Global Entry/TSA Pre and we breezed through an empty security line. 

When we arrived in Mexico, the customs line was ridiculous. It took nearly an hour to get through it and people were packed in there like sardines. Some people were coughing. Sure, everyone was wearing masks, but I don't think the cloth masks do much to stop a virus. I'd personally be more comfortable with people truly staying six feet apart.

We finally made it out of customs, got our transfer to the resort and we were there! We arrived healthy and on time, after two years of wanting to visit our favorite vacation spot: Excellence Playa Mujeres. This was our 5th stay at this Cancun resort. We love it so much that we don't want to go elsewhere. 

I asked my coach to leave my schedule blank and I would "play it by ear". I decided beforehand that I wasn't going to run all that much because the only option is the treadmill, and I didn't want to spend a ton of vacation time on a treadmill. It's not safe to leave the resort and there's really no place to run around the resort. I ran Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, with workouts on Saturday and Tuesday. 

The treadmill was in kilometers so I did a 7K progressive tempo on Saturday and then 4 x 2K on Tuesday. Given that the gym was hot and I was on a treadmill, I was pleasantly surprised at how strong I felt running around 7:00-7:20 for these workouts. 

My favorite workout was on Sunday, when I swam in the resort pool. It was nearly twice the length of a traditional lap pool so it was a nice challenge to have to swim more before turning at the wall. Normally I swim the lazy river pool, which winds around the resort and you don't have to ever stop! But that water was way too cold. The water in the long pool was warmer and I had no issues swimming in it. I did 7 out-and-backs, which I am guessing is around 500m. 

I swam 14 lengths of this!

The goal of our Cancun vacation is always relaxation so we spent our days lounging at the beach and/or pool, and we didn't do any excursions. Unless you count going to the spa for a couples massage an excursion! The staff hands you drinks, the food is amazing, everything is all-inclusive and it's just the best place to go!  

Leaving Mexico
In order to enter the United States, anyone traveling by air must have a negative Covid 19 test taken

within 1 day of traveling. This does not apply if you are traveling by sea or land--only by air. So on Thursday, Greg and I were tested at the resort. (The resort offers free on-site testing the day before you leave.) This was actually my first-ever Covid test! I never had a reason to be tested before. 

Greg and I were slightly nervous because we had heard that Covid was going around the resort and 30-50 people were in quarantine after positive tests. Also, I started to feel a sore throat on the day of the test so I was worried I actually had Covid. Thankfully we both tested negative so we would be allowed back into the United States. If we tested positive, they would have quarantined us in a guest room for free, and allowed us to order room service from any restaurant. This would not have been so bad, but it wouldn't have been ideal. If only one of us had tested positive, we would both be allowed to stay, but one of us would be in quarantine while the other continued to enjoy a free vacation. 

We flew home on Friday and everything went smoothly. When we checked in for our flight, they did ask us to show proof of vaccination, even though it's not a requirement. Thankfully we both had photos of our cards on our phones and that was acceptable. They really should not have asked for that because all you need is a negative test, but since we had the vaccination proof, we didn't question it too much.

My Blog was Down
On Saturday, I realized that my blog was completely offline. It wasn't Blogger (my blogging platform) but the service I used to register my domain. They had an outage which resulted in all of their domains being completely down for 3 full days! I wasn't too irked by this because I wasn't trying to write a blog over the weekend, but it was unsettling to type my URL and have nothing come up. Also, it can impact search engine rankings if you are down for too long. There was nothing I could do but wait, and I'm thankful I was able to figure out the source of the problem relatively quickly. Not knowing why it was down would have driven me insane. (I never received any kind of notification, I went into my Google console and figured it out for myself. Some communication would have been appreciated!)

Post-Vacation Illness
My sore throat got worse and worse and on Saturday I found myself physically fatigued, which hadn't been an issue previously. One of my friends happened to have an extra at-home Covid test so Greg went to her house to retrieve it. (She left it on the front doorstep for a non-contact exchange). I tested negative on Saturday night.

Having had two negative Covid tests, I was pretty sure I didn't have Covid, but I definitely was ill. My main symptoms on Saturday were sore throat, loss of voice, dry cough, body aches, weakness. I didn't have a fever.

Given my history with mono, I was worried that this could turn into mono. Mono is not a virus, but a syndrome that is caused by a virus. So any virus could bring about mono. This has been my main Covid concern from the beginning: if I got Covid, would it turn into mono, taking me months to recover? Perhaps my body doesn't recover from viruses normally - it takes WAY more time. 

Not much changed on Sunday. I still couldn't talk and I still felt totally wasted. Greg, meanwhile, felt completely normal. And he was taking great care of me. I couldn't eat solid foods because my throat was so sore, so he made me soup and oatmeal. 

On Monday, I decided to take the second test from the BinaxNOW kit that my friend had given me. And this time it was positive. Yikes. Well, I guess if I was going to be this sick it might as well be Covid to give me some natural immunity in the future. So much for the J&J booster! Greg got the Moderna booster, and that is supposed to be more effective. 

Now it's Tuesday and I have made progress. My throat is less sore, although it's still tender and swallowing hard foods makes me cough. I still woke up coughing multiple times in the middle of the night last night. I can talk again, although it's a strain to talk at my normal volume level. To summarize:

Main Symptoms:

• Severe sore throat
• Pain with swallowing
• Dry cough - coughing fits lasting 5 minutes at a time
• Inability to eat solid foods and loss of voice
• Body aches
• Fatigue/weakness (although not tiredness)
• Bumps on the skin of my back and butt

No Sign of:

• Headache
• Fever
• Nasal conjestion
• Runny nose/sneezing
• Dizziness
• Loss of taste or smell

I am making progress and I feel like I will either be running again by Monday or it will be another 4-6 weeks. I am optimistic because I don't have the typical dizziness that comes with my mono and I feel like I am starting to regain strength. But time will tell! My spirits have been high and I am in a good place mentally. 

We had a bed on the beach!

A few people asked Greg and me before Mexico if we were sure we still wanted to go with Omicron surging? Our answer was yes because something is always surging. It's almost like the boy who cried wolf. When you live in a constant state of fear, and there's always a new variant to worry about, then you become de-sensitized to it. You realize there will never be a "good" time to go, so you just do it. 

I also have no regrets. I enjoyed my vacation and I probably would have gotten Covid at some point in my life anyway, so why not now? 

Running Plans
I am registered for the Shamrock half marathon, which was supposed to be a PR attempt. Now that is looking less likely so it might be a Covid Comeback race instead of a PR. I am also planning to run Boston, but I kind of don't care that my training for that has been interrupted. I know I can run a solid marathon on as little as 8 weeks of training and with Boston I don't care about how fast my time is.

For blog #500, that was pretty eventful!

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