I was feeling pretty good about my training when I knocked out a solid four-mile run on March 2nd. It wasn’t fast, but it felt strong, and I was proud of how far I’d come. Then, Monday hit like a freight train. Out of nowhere, I started coughing—just a little at first, but by the next day, I was fully down for the count. Fever, chills, congestion—the whole miserable package.
I was out for the rest of the week. No running, no walking, just lying around, angry, and panicking about lost training time. Every day that passed felt like a step backward. I had worked so hard to build up my endurance, and now, here I was, stuck on the couch, feeling weak and defeated. I kept thinking, What if I lose all my progress? What if I have to start over? The doubt crept in hard.
By Sunday, March 9th, I finally felt well enough to get moving again. I took a 3.5-mile walk, and honestly, I probably could have run at least part of it. But I didn’t. I was still a little shaky, and I didn’t want to push my luck. Baby steps.
Monday rolled around, and I was determined to test the waters. I laced up, took a deep breath, and set out for a three-mile run. My throat felt like sandpaper, and every breath burned, but I pushed through. It wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t fast, but I did it. And that was enough for me.
By Thursday, I was feeling stronger, so I ran four miles. My pace was embarrassingly slow, but I didn’t care. The important thing was that I was moving again. That heavy, sluggish feeling from being sick was finally starting to lift, and I felt like I was returning to myself.
Then came Sunday, March 16th—yesterday, a day I won’t forget anytime soon. Six miles. Six whole miles. For me, that was a huge milestone. I wasn’t just coming back from being sick—I was proving to myself that I could keep going, no matter what setbacks came my way. I won’t lie—I was S-L-O-W. Like, tortoise-wading-through-peanut-butter slow. But I finished. And at the end of it, I felt something I hadn’t felt all week: confidence.
I’m back on track. I’m not yet where I want to be, but I’m getting there. This little detour knocked me down, but it didn’t knock me out. And now, I know something I didn’t fully believe before: I can do this.
No more doubts. No more second-guessing. I’m all in.
Below is my arsenal of products to help me on my half-marathon journey. These are wonderful, effective products, and I truly use all of them and highly recommend them.
One thing I added to help me yesterday was Gu Energy Gel. I remembered how much I relied on it when I ran my marathon long ago and picked some up prior to my run. It's instant energy, and I will not be without it on my long runs in the future.
Brooks Women's Adrenaline GTS 24 Supportive Running Shoe - A Requirement for Me
I have been running in these shoes for thirty years. They provide great stability and cushion. I wouldn't be without them.
Naked Vanilla Pea Protein Isolate
Naked Pea is vegetarian and vegan protein powder. It has only three ingredients: Yellow Pea Protein, vanilla, and organic coconut sugar. It has no artificial sweeteners, flavors, is gluten, soy and lactose free, non-GMO and no artificial colors. It has maximum nutrition with 25g of protein and 5.6g of BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) per serving. I have a dairy intolerance so I did my homework and found Naked Pea to be the best protein powder for me.
Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch
This is my second Garmin watch. Lost my first one. I love this watch. It provides reliable distance and pace measurements: The built-in GPS accurately tracks your routes, distance, pace, and elevation, providing reliable data for each run. The display and menu are designed for easy navigation.
- Electrolytes in the perfect ratio.
- #1 in sports nutrition electrolyte replacement drinks.
- No sugar, gluten or fillers and comes in a variety of flavors.
- I love this stuff. It's a life saver.
- The advanced lens technology helps deliver exceptional clarity and contrast, ensuring you see details accurately in a range of lighting conditions.
- Enhanced optics mean colors appear more natural and vibrant, which is ideal for outdoor sports or daily wear.
- Oakley typically uses innovative materials (like their proprietary O-Matter) to create frames that are both strong and lightweight.
- The robust build is designed to withstand the rigors of daily activities and high-impact sports without adding extra weight.
- 100% UV Block: The lenses are engineered to block harmful UVA, UVB, and often UVC rays, reducing the risk of sun-related eye damage. Consistent protection helps prevent long-term damage to your eyes, making them a smart choice for prolonged outdoor exposure.
- These are the best sunglasses I have ever owned. I wear them for running, playing golf, and anything outdoors.
These little gu packs have branched-chain amino acids to reduce muscle damage, electrolytes to maintain proper hydration, caffeine for focus, and carbohydrates for ready-to-use energy.
The Gym People: Thick High Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets
These running pants are thick and very comfortable. They stay put and don't roll down at the waist.
4. Ecowise HCL Creatine
- Type: Creatine HCL Gummies
- Why It’s Great: Ecowise HCL is the most Bioavailable form of Creatine, 7X more concentrated than Creatine Monohydrate and 59X more absorption than Creatine Monohydrate.
- Best For: Athletes who require rigorous quality assurance.
- Ecowise HCL contains turmeric root, which helps reduce inflammation, boosts gut health, provides immunity support, and accelerates recovery after intense workouts. It also contains black pepper, which is known to enhance the absorption of turmeric by up to 2000% and speed up metabolism.
- Creatine is a must for active people.
Baleaf Thermal Fleece Tops
Very comfortable, warm, and wicks moisture. Love them.
Natural Vitality Calm Magnesium Powder
- Why It Stands Out:
This best-selling magnesium citrate powder is derived from natural sources and helps promote relaxation and muscle recovery. It’s available in various flavors, including Raspberry Lemon and Unflavored. - Key Benefits:
- Eases muscle tension and stress.
- Easy-to-dissolve powder for quick absorption.
- How to Use: Mix one teaspoon with water and drink before bed for optimal recovery.
I was having painful leg and foot muscle cramps until I started taking this.
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