Tight Laces in 50 Places: South Carolina race day

In my blog post Friday night I mentioned that allergies were starting to take their grip on me with constant sneezing, coughing, and headache. I mean I didn't feel sick when I woke up Friday morning so that had to be it. Well, I was wrong.

It wasn't until I woke up Saturday morning for the race that I felt this was a bit more than allergies. I had the muscle aches. Anyone who's had a flu knows that feeling. Everything hurts. My back, arms, shoulders, everything. On top of that I continued to have the sneeze, cough and headache. This wasn't allergies. It was a full blown flu.

But, as I snoozed my alarm and debated whether or not to skip this Half, I realized I had driven eight hours to be here. There was no way I was going to skip. I got out of bed, put on my running gear, and did my best to rally.

I got to the race start and immediately my headache worsened. But, I got it going and by mile five I actually felt I could push through it. Then I hit mile 10. When I say those last three miles felt like they lasted forever, I mean it. I was sneezing and aching and didn't really know what else to do but just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I did and finished in 1:54:32.

I'd say this may be among the most challenging races I've done to date because of this flu. The course was nice. A bit hilly but nothing out of this world. But, to do one sick is definitely a new experience.

And now I look forward to North Carolina and Tennessee next month.