Running, Roadkill and Respiratory Tract Infections

Direct quote " Rapid Ronan my arse...more like Roadkill Ronan. I am dead and my feet will never function again !" . Direct quote number 2 " My poor legs !!!" It appears my enforced absence due to a chest infection could not have been timed better . Having felt a bit dodgy Wednesday evening I decided to return to the couch on my C25K journey. It was a good idea and as a member of the medical profession, I would recommend any runner taking this advice. By Thursday evening I felt fine again, so decided the Thursday night GAA training session for my sons was a perfect opportunity to continue my quest. It was a quiet evening thankfully, as it is a little daunting demonstrating your running prowess ( or lack thereof) in front of your local parish....especially the fit Dad's ( the term Fit only applies to actual physical fitness !!!) . Off I took, while GASP watched the boys ( ie. chatted up the Mum's)and happily did run 1, 2 and 3 while Marlene ( pronounced Marlayna in my mind) on my smart phone egged me on and spoke to me in her smug American twang, advising me that walk 4 of 4 was about to commence. I had convinced myself that would be happy to do the 3 of 4 and leave it at that, but a few things conspired to change my mind. 1. Marlene annoys me and I can't be defeated by her, 2. the crowd was gathering for the match and my pride told me that everyone would know I cut out early....how ???? and 3. the most compelling reason, my 7 year old twin nieces, Minnie and Moocher who were playing with a third adorable pal, decided, just as I was deciding to give up, to run alongside me. Now, whatever about you 150 girls running past me , I could not be outdone by three midget joggers. So, on I soldiered to finish run 4 of 4, the last minute feeling like 20 miles. I was banjaxed , but my breathing was the killer. My lungs were burning. It took ages for my breath to settle, so I reckoned I might have overestimated my recovery.
I was gutted on Friday morning to find I was coughing and spluttering so made the appointment with the GP, started my antibiotic, resigned myself to a wine free weekend and awaited the comments on Facebook on the Ardee St. Mary's page about the training session. The first line of this blog was the private message I got from an undisclosed source, as I was reclined on the couch watching "Outnumbered". Boy , was I grateful I had stayed at home...it might have killed me ! I notice how happy I am to expose myself to Gentle Gary ( not as a Flasher !) but the the mere mention of Rapid Ronan , increases my heart rate and anxiety levels. I am hopeful to return to the group on Monday evening but will be sensible, as it really would not be good press should I require defibrillation in the park in Ardee for being stupid.... In the meantime girls, I hope you are all recovering from your trauma last night, the Rapid Ronan Rigors, and that a weekend of alcohol consumption, rest and counselling has you ready for the dulcet tones of Gentle Gary.......This time next week we will be half way !!!!!!!!