Signed up for my first-ever road race, haven't been on bike for 3 weeks (sick). Quit?
05-20-10, 07:53 AM
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Signed up for my first-ever road race, haven't been on bike for 3 weeks (sick). Quit?
I'm so sad
I was super-excited for my first road race at a big local event. My fitness was coming along well, and I was going to have home-town advantage (the crit and time-trial courses are within walking distance). Then, I spent an exhausting week off the bike as I was out of town and doing all kinds of errand-running leading up to my sister's wedding, where I caught a terrible cold. Back at home, my Dad flew out to help me with a bunch of renos leading up to putting my house on the market, so that was a week of 14-hour days of heavy work, all while very sick. Now, the 3-day stage race starts in two days, and I haven't been on my bike in almost 3 weeks. I'm still coughing and my chest congestion has only started to get better as of last night (i.e., I can take a full breath without feeling like I have to cough, and I can usually breathe through my nose).
What would you do? Would you race while feeling sick and out of shape, especially if you were already worried about being able to hang on (remember, first race ever)?
I was super-excited for my first road race at a big local event. My fitness was coming along well, and I was going to have home-town advantage (the crit and time-trial courses are within walking distance). Then, I spent an exhausting week off the bike as I was out of town and doing all kinds of errand-running leading up to my sister's wedding, where I caught a terrible cold. Back at home, my Dad flew out to help me with a bunch of renos leading up to putting my house on the market, so that was a week of 14-hour days of heavy work, all while very sick. Now, the 3-day stage race starts in two days, and I haven't been on my bike in almost 3 weeks. I'm still coughing and my chest congestion has only started to get better as of last night (i.e., I can take a full breath without feeling like I have to cough, and I can usually breathe through my nose).What would you do? Would you race while feeling sick and out of shape, especially if you were already worried about being able to hang on (remember, first race ever)?
05-20-10, 07:58 AM
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I'd bag the race, and do some easy training rides. If you were fully recovered, I'd go ahead and race. But given that you appear to still be sick, it won't serve your long run interests pushing too hard and prolonging your illness.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
05-20-10, 08:03 AM
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I don't know how to answer that as I don't have all the info that only you would have with regard to inner feelings, but... I don't think I would be ready for a race, and I would think a DNF would be the result. If that doesn't matter then...
You may risk bringing on a relapse too. They are often worse than the original. It's of course up to you but for me, I think I would pass.
You may risk bringing on a relapse too. They are often worse than the original. It's of course up to you but for me, I think I would pass.
05-20-10, 08:26 AM
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Be careful, you could easily injure yourself. Once, mid season when I was already pretty strong, I took about 2 weeks off and then did a training race. I still had quite a bit of stregnth so I pushed myself showing off and ended up pulling something in the back of my knee that took over a month to heal.
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Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1
05-20-10, 08:37 AM
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If this was your only chance of racing before you began a long prison term or were to get married to a controlling b****, then I'd say go ahead and race your heart out. If on the other hand you are young and intend to race for the rest of this season then follow Merlinextraligh's advice.
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