just wondering what your opinions are about this... I could post this out on the main boards but I'd thought I'd try here first. As you know, I've got bronchitis, on antibiotics and the Doc said 10 days off from running, which seems a little extreme to me, but what do i know? (10 days from this past Wed.) i want to reassess and see how I feel in a couple more days. I feel a lot better already. But, this will greatly affect my training as this weekend was supposed to be my 20 + miler. Even if I feel like I can run on Saturday or Sunday, I'm not sure I should be running 20 miles after being sick. I've got three weeks left. I think, no matter what, I should be able to run the marathon on Feb. 14th- but maybe my time goal will have to be adjusted. what would you do if you were me? I want to be smart and my health is my priority but I know you guys understand how badly I wanted to run this marathon and do well. It was going to be like a family vacation too- three days in Myrtle Beach with my cousin and aunt and uncle. One last option: my cousin runs slower than I do- I know last year he ran Myrtle Beach in the 5 hour span. Maybe I could just plan on accompanying him. Sorry if this sounds whiney..... you guys are always great at encouraging. I guess I just need to keep hope alive. This came about when my neighbor, who's a runner, told me I should postpone this race. My cough, by the way, is gone. Thanks for the feedback.

Kimmie, I know this has got to be frustrating for you. Seems to be that getting sick one of the real risks of signing up for these early spring/late winter marathons. I would caution against trying to get in that last 20 miler given the guidance from your Doctor. I believe that those long runs do weaken you and would make you susceptible to getting more sick and prolonging your recovery. Having said that, 10 days is a long time and if you feel better after 5 or 6 days, it might be worth a few short easy runs to see how you feel. I think you have a range of options. I might be tempted to run it as a long training run (either with your cousin or closer to a 4:30 pace) and then find another marathon maybe in April or May to go for your goal pace. I don't think I'd force the issue and try to get that 20+ in so soon.

Kimmie, I know this has got to be frustrating for you. Seems to be that getting sick one of the real risks of signing up for these early spring/late winter marathons. I would caution against trying to get in that last 20 miler given the guidance from your Doctor. I believe that those long runs do weaken you and would make you susceptible to getting more sick and prolonging your recovery. Having said that, 10 days is a long time and if you feel better after 5 or 6 days, it might be worth a few short easy runs to see how you feel. I think you have a range of options. I might be tempted to run it as a long training run (either with your cousin or closer to a 4:30 pace) and then find another marathon maybe in April or May to go for your goal pace. I don't think I'd force the issue and try to get that 20+ in so soon.

I THIRD this!! Glad to hear your cough is gone!!

I think you know better than we do. It's not just coughing, but do you have your strength back? Be honest with yoursef on how you feel is more important than what doc said because I think our bodies if we listen know way more than the docs. I've missed a marathon due to injury (not illness) and it sucks but we all make it out to be a bigger deal than it is. Life is full of reschedules, you will run it another day if you decide that. I still think you could run it pretty strong, if your feeling better by the end of the week.

I'm not ignoring this thread -- I just don't have anything useful to say. You know how you feel so the decision will have to be your own. You'll figure it out.

I think I will run the National marathon- the full, not the half... Ah!!! Dave, you may have heard that miles 14-26 are brutally hilly there.... which is a far cry from flat at the beach. I just have to hope that it doesn't fill up too quickly.

If you're talking about the National course, the elevation map is here: http://www.nationalmarathon.com/images/maps_08/elevation_new08.jpg Looks like one good hill just before mile 14, then flat until 23/24 when there's another modest hill. The "big" hill is miles 4-6 in the first half. I've heard National is filling up though. It usually doesn't sell out but who knows. MTA: Are you talking about Frederick? I've heard that one is tough.

I don't know -- you might have better luck registering for the full and doing the half if necessary. I'm interested in what the race director says. Frederick was my first marathon, but the course is different now. Those 13-22 miles or so now I think are the toughest -- we live pretty close to there. My wife runs those hills for her long run generally -- I avoid them, but do sometimes run from mile 16-18 for mine. I wanted to run this after Boston to get MM status -- but we're going to be out of town

Kimmie: You'll recover just fine. There's different levels of bronchitis. Having had worse than the simple for I would avoid developing the stronger, longer lasting version. I use to smoke. Struggling to breathe just drains everything, all the time. You don't want it to be long term or go chronic. It takes forever to get over. Being run down becomes a lifestyle. You sleep and get no rest. Get yourself well.