JJSB Rundate 15107: Week 7: The Slump Continues and More Running = Less Sickness

Well, If you read last week's post, then you know I was in a runner's slump.  That was week 7 of my training plan and the long run for that week was a 9 mile run last Saturday.  Well, it was pretty miserable.  I didn't feel good at all that week and it seemed to be the worst on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I didn't feel horribly sick or anything.  Just a little off.  I'm not sure if it was allergies or what, but I was extremely nauseous for most of that 9 mile run.  I ended up averaging 10:00 minutes/mile which is about 30 seconds more than I had wanted.  And, I was just totally spent after I finished.  Some of it might have had to do with the slightly warmer temps but it wasn't warm enough for it to have made that much of a difference.  It was one of the worst running experiences that I've ever had and I've had several pretty bad ones.  Afterwards, I was so disappointed that I was nearly ready to quit running.  At least for a while.  I was so discouraged.  I also spent my entire Sunday not feeling quite right.  I'm not sure what's going on but I hope it lifts soon.  Maybe I have some type of little virus or something.
Through all this (and still) the main thing that has kept me going is that I have been posting every week throughout this training and thinking about how it would look to the few people who read this blog if I quit now.  How would it affect the people who are encouraged and motivated by what I'm doing.  I can't let myself down or all of you who are watching.  This is good, because this is one of the reasons that I do this blog.  So, thank you to those of you who follow this blog or even check in every so often and show your support.  I truly appreciate it.

One of the things that I've thought about while going through this past weekend and not feeling very well, is the health benefits that I've gained while running.  I realize that this varies greatly from person to person, so I know that my experience won't be guaranteed for anyone else, but I have definitely had better overall health since I started running regularly.  I rarely get colds or the flu and when I do, it's usually a milder version (at least symptom wise) than I see those around me experiencing.  I'm not sure why this is.  Maybe something to do with better circulation, breathing capacity, etc.???  Like I said, I'm not sure why, but the difference has been quite noticeable.  Another benefit has been with allergies.  My allergy symptoms have been greatly reduced while I've been running.  I see the noticeable effects of running on the clarity of my breathing.  Running helps clear the sinuses so I don't experience nearly the amount of congestion that I used to.
Anyway, better overall health is another benefit I've found from running.

Okay, so it's time for the "Song of the Run"

This is my favorite band over the past decade.  I love every single one of their songs.

"We've got crosses on our eyes
Been walking into the walls again
We've got crosses on our eyes
Been walking into the furniture
We've got crosses on our eyes
For richer, for poorer, for better, for worse
We've got crosses on our eyes
We've been walking into the furniture"

                                                      "Eating Glass" by Bloc Party