Champion

Can you tell Tim came home early and told me to use my time to relax?

Another one of my goals was to try to do a walk a season. The winter/spring walk was an 8K hosted by the Tinley Park Park District called the Running O' the Green. I was a bit worried about a longer distance race, but it worked out nicely.

Here's the thing: I had practically no training. About five years back, I had a BAD run of sinus infections. I learned from that experience sometimes it is best to call in the big guns: ENT Doctor.

I was sick for a week in January. Then for a few weeks I was well. Then sick again in February. About a week before the race, I could tell it was coming back. I called a new ENT near our home and made an appointment for the Friday before.

I was pretty messed up by Monday. Thankfully, we left work early that Tuesday due to snow. With Tim off and everything for the night cancelled, I fell asleep. I was not feeling much better by Friday. The doctor decided to blast the heck out of the infection with: an antihistamine nasal spray on top of my steroid spray, oral steroids and a new strain of antibiotics.

By Saturday, I felt good, but unsure. The steroids did give me trouble sleeping but opened me up quickly. On Sunday morning, despite the rain, it was rather warm and I felt pretty well. I put on a tank top, the race shirt, a hoodie and Tim's Columbia jacket from work and I was off. I could have probably done without the hoodie, but I was pretty worried about upsetting my lungs needlessly. I took my puff of inhaler and felt rather like Lance Armstrong with all my steroids!

I didn't do well. I went to the back of the pack very early and by a mile in, lost sight of everyone. I kept going, going and going. I kept running "Singing in the Rain," Eye of the Tiger" (from my years as VJA's wrestling stat girl) and "I Walk Alone" in my head. My iPod wasn't charged:(

I made it in around 1:52 ish which put me about 20+ minutes behind everyone else. By the time I got back, the awards were given up and they packed up all the after race snacks! I felt silly for being so slow. However, I also felt extremely proud that I didn't let my health issues stop me from accomplishing a goal. I may be the turtle, but I "ran" the race! (or walked, whatever)

On to a 5K for the fire department in May!