Well, it was an interesting weekend. I had my first technical DNS with my Sunday race. Let’s back up a bit and recap the weekend, shall we?
Valentine’s Day was as romantic as any couple could hope for – we went grocery shopping. To keep the party going, we had our dentist cleanings on Saturday morning, then went from there to Home Depot and then to our tax appointment. We decided since we were early for H&R Block that we would stop at Dunkin Donuts and pick them up a dozen donuts for everyone at the office.
We were about ½ hour early for our appointment, but luckily our tax rep’s first appointment had not shown up, so she was able to see us right away. They all looooved us for bringing in the donuts because it was starting to snow and I think people were a little grumpy to begin with. Donuts make everything better so it seemed to cheer them up a bit. We were in and out like usual and got a decent refund back that we should see in the next couple of weeks. I already have it earmarked for paying off certain debts so I can’t wait to get it deposited!
The snow was really starting to get heavy by the time we were out of there around 1:30-2:00. We headed home and did some stuff around the house. I didn’t want to shovel too early and have to do it a ton of times, so we ended up going out around 8:45 or so and I think it took us about 45 minutes. It had started to lighten up a bit at that point, so when we woke up in the morning there was only maybe another 2 inches on the ground/cars. This is where the race dilemma begins…
Saturday night, through various posts from the RIRR and the race director emailing us all directly, they said it would be an 11th hour call about whether or not they’d cancel. They had cancelled due to snow the year before so they seemed like they really didn’t want to do it again. They said they would make the call by 6 am since it was supposed to stop snowing around 3 am. I set my alarm for 6:15 to check my email and see if I needed to get my race routine on or not.
My alarm apparently went off for 10 minutes without me hearing it, because by the time I heard the vibration, the phone said it was 6:25. I looked at my email to see the race was still on and just delayed by 2 hours for a 1pm start! I got up to drink some water and looked outside and it was a hot mess. Our neighborhood roads are always poorly plowed and I can’t imagine there was enough time to plow roads that would then be closed for a race. The race was being held in Foxboro, MA – about a 45 min drive one way – so I didn’t feel comfortable driving on crappy roads and then RUNNING on those same crappy roads. I don’t own any Yaktrax or anything and I’m terrified of falling (not just in the winter) so I made the call to stay home.
It turned out to be a good thing I didn’t go. I had debated going when I initially woke up and I had a slight sinus-y headache. I took some cold & sinus medicine, set my alarm for 8:30 in case I was going to go and then went back to bed. When my alarm went off later, my headache was even worse! I decided at that point I definitely wasn’t doing the race, but maybe I could still go to the gym to get my run in on the treadmill. Unfortunately, my head had other ideas and I was laid up in bed for the majority of the day with ice packs on my head (it was one of *those* headaches). I don’t think it started fading until close to 6 pm even with the ice on it all day, lots of snoozing and medicine. I haven’t had one like that in a long time and I’m glad because it sucked!
The race director email had said they would send you the fleece blanket and medal for the race still, or people could get a refund. I had emailed him this morning re: a refund but then felt bad when he said most people were just opting for the items to be mailed so the donation could still be made to the Progeria Foundation. I felt kind of guilty after he said that (since I didn’t realize it was going to that charity) so I told him the blanket and medal was fine. The only reason I was even asking for the refund was because I have a lot of races on my schedule for the year that I’d like to do and every penny counts.
I feel kind of lousy not going to run it, but I know I made the best call. It just doesn’t make it easier inside my brain. I definitely won’t be hanging that medal on my rack, that’s for sure! Those suckers need to be earned!
Don't blink. Just run. 
Hope your head is feeling better! I wouldn’t like to run on snow/ice….I encountered some slushy-ness the other week, I dislike it and that wasn’t proper snow, or ice!
It is much better than yesterday, thanks!
Try not to be too hard on yourself. You have done nothing but bust your ass and prove you are amazing…and incredibly motivated! Glad you’re feeling a little better…now on to the next race! 🙂
March 8!
Oh man, sorry you weren’t feeling well!! I definitely agree about race medals having to be earned…a big part of why I never do virtual races, because it doesn’t feel like I EARNED it, even if I did the run (if that makes sense).
That does make sense. I’ve only done 1 virtual race and it was because it was Doctor Who and the medal was really cool – plus it went to the One Fund.
I hope you feel better!! Man it stinks getting sidelined by illness! I think you made a good decision to stay home!!
I do, thanks, and it totally does. Came on out of the blue, too!
I think you made a very good call not running in the race. I’m all about adventure, but not when it’s not only dangerous running in the race, but dangerous getting to the race!
I actually do have one medal hanging on my rack from a marathon that went bankrupt. They kept our money and flew the coup! The medals had already been ordered and were available for pick-up at another marathon. I have it up there because 1) it’s a good story and 2) I ran a marathon where they gave out paperweights and I can’t hang it up there. I use the bankrupt medal as a replacement for the paperweight one! 🙂
Haha, that’s a great story! I’m surprised they already had the medals to give, or that you could even get them. And a paperweight – very interesting!
Actually, it was a year or so longer before I got the medal There was actually a class action lawsuit that all of the runners were a part of hoping to recoup our entry fees. I don’t think anything ever came of it. At least not that I heard.
These things happen. There are plenty of other races to do!
Oh, I’ve got tons lined up… 🙂
Ouch, sorry about your headache, I hate those! Sorry you couldn’t run but that is better than getting hurt!!!
Yep, definitely!! I just know I would have face planted. I saw a picture that was in an article about the race (they said 400 people still showed up!) and one of the guys from my running group was high fiving a little girl on the side that was cheering – and the road was completely covered in snow. Made it a little easier to swallow seeing exactly how bad it looked.
Yeesh – headache and snow to deal with on the same day. Doesn’t sound fun. But you probably made the right call. I hate driving on the snow for any length of time, especially when it’s fresh. People freak out and go way too fast – especially up here in VT on I89. They’re all excited to go ski some powder that they forget they have to arrive in one piece!
They definitely drive crazy on I89, that’s for sure! I wouldn’t want to be on it with snowy conditions. It’s bad enough when it’s gorgeous out!
Sounds like it was the best decision though. I started feeling crummy with sinus stuff Sunday night and now it seem to be full blown sinus infection. Hope you are feeling better!
Ohhhh no! I hope you feel better soon! I was fine by yesterday morning so I think it was some passing migraine thank goodness! Tara’s been sick for a week or more now so I was afraid I was getting what she has, but I think I dodged the bullet.
I once signed up for a half marathon in my town – and chickened out at the last minute. I ended up going to the race, picking up my hoodie, then went home and back to bed!
Hope you are feeling better – I am one of the lucky people that hardly ever get headaches.
I’ve gotten close to chickening out, but having Tara there to cheer me on always gets me to the starting line.