As runners we tend to stubbornly run through the pain. Run through the sniffles and the fevers and the runny noses. Because running is what we do. We have training plans to follow and races on the schedule. We don’t want to let that little cold or sore muscle slow us down.
To us, rest is a four-letter word. So we “suck it up.”
We runners make the worst patients, huh?
That is totally me in a nutshell – with a little type-A obsessiveness and bullheadedness (hey, I am a Taurus, after all) thrown in for good measure.
Which means this bout of pneumonia I’ve been dealing with for the last three weeks has been a sobering experience.
The fact that I’ve been in denial about how sick I’ve been was made crystal clear on Monday by my horrendous (and kind of scary) experience at the Tufts 10K (recap to come…eventually).
And again yesterday, by my sad attempts to run two freaking miles on the treadmill, which ended with chest pain, burning lungs from diminished lung capacity, and, yes, some tears.
And even by the fact that I ran a half marathon two weeks ago (totally disregarding the well-publicized runner’s creed to rest if your symptoms are below the neck) with a chest cold that was either undiagnosed pneumonia at the time, or directly led to my diagnosis a few days later.
Stupid and, yes, even a bit selfish, I know. And to most non-runners, it sounds a bit crazy.
But the time has come, and now I’m calling it. Body, you win.
I finished my antibiotics on Sunday, expecting to be cured, and while I’m certainly better, I’m nowhere close to 100%. I’m still coughing and I’m exhausted by climbing a few flights of stairs and I’m tired all.the.time. Plus that disastrous treadmill run yesterday…..
It’s humbling and depressing and frustrating.
So I called my doctor’s office and they prescribed a different type of antibiotic, which means it’s back to the waiting game. But this time I’m not messing around.
I need to put my health first, to rest and be patient and kind to my body and allow it to heal. Otherwise I’m never going to get better. The last few days have taught me that. This pushing through and “sucking it up” isn’t good for me … or for my kids or my husband or my colleagues (who probably cringe every time they hear me cough).
Because I’m not just a sick runner, I’m also a sick mom/wife/friend/colleague. I just wish I had realized that a little sooner.
Do you run when you’re sick? Anyone else find it hard to be a good patient?
CHERYL says
I couldn’t agree more! I run through everything, I could definitely do a better job at listening to my body. I need to be a better patient….but I’m not sure I will. :/
CHERYL says
I couldn’t agree more! I run through everything, I could definitely do a better job at listening to my body. I need to be a better patient….but I’m not sure I will. :o/
Amy says
a few years ago my husband did 3 rounds on antibiotics to get over pneumonia. The last one was via an IV and he had to go to the doctors office daily to get it. It’s a scary illness and don’t forget it kills thousands of people every year. Take care of yourself.