Getting sick is the worst

Here's how to make it better

As preparation for the Vermont 100K kicks into high gear, I find myself cycling through every adverse condition you can imagine. Whether it’s injury, stress or illness, I’ve managed to trip over multiple landmines in a short amount of time. 

I mean that literally by the way, since I seem to have developed a terrible habit of face planting in the dirt lately. My advice on falling: Don’t. If you do happen to find yourself flying through the air, think about tucking your wrists and your chin into your chest while rolling through the impact with your shoulders instead of your face.  

Whether I’ve been lying in bed surrounded by a mountain of tissues, or lying prone on the hard ground checking for blood and broken bones – all clear! – it struck me that unplanned setbacks are what makes training for races so difficult. 

Sure, sure. The mileage needs to get run and the workouts won’t complete themselves. That part is already baked into the equation. When forces beyond our control interfere with training plans, it can be doubly tough to get back on track, both physically and mentally. 

Not only are we leaving potential gains on the table, missing time can also make us feel like we’re losing ground. That mentality tends to lead us into an absolutely vicious cycle of frustration mixed with self-doubt. It doesn’t have to be that way.