Revenge of the Congestion

So, this Saturday I will attempt to complete my first ever 5K race in Atlanta.  The word "race" is to be read figuratively here.  I will only be competing with myself.  If I finish last, I still finished.  That's the goal.  What's the problem?, you ask.  I'm sick.

Damn it all to hell.  My body hates me.  It started on Saturday.  I felt this tickle in my throat and occasionally my voice would go all wobbly and weird.  But, I kicked it into high gear and went to my training appointment Saturday morning anyway.  It was awesome.  We do these Circuit Saturdays with a big group and I never leave without my face being the color of a pomegranate.  Remind me and I'll tell you the great ab exercise that we did that you could totally do at home.  I'll get back to that.

Yesterday, my head was congested and I didn't feel 100%.  I should have seen the giant red flag that was being waved in front of my face when I slept for 11 hours non-stop.  I'm tired, but not that tired. I kept going... stupidly.  I shopped for Christmas presents, put up Christmas lights outside, bought an armband for my cell phone so I can rock out as I run around the streets of Atlanta (hopefully in candy cane socks and a Santa hat).  You know, important stuff.  I refused to acknowledge what was happening with my body, figuring if I mentally accepted the fact that I was getting sick, I would actually become sick.  This morning, there was no more denial.  I woke up and I felt like my head was a balloon ready to explode.  The weird thing is that I don't feel sick, but I'm just so congested that I can hardly stand it.  I stayed home from work today.  It's 1:30 and I'm still in my pajamas.  As fabulous as that would be on most days, it's not so great when you're coughing and sneezing and sniffling.  I might drag myself into the shower here in a few minutes.

So, with five days before the 5K, what can I do to get better fast?  My trainer said to drink tons of water, which I honestly haven't done today.  I want to workout and run/walk, but I'm afraid that might set back my recovery.  But, I need to take advantage of these last few days before the run to get used to that kind of distance.  Maybe I should just focus on finishing in whatever form I do it in and not so much on the running/endurance part of it.  This is just typical... just typical.  Suggestions?  Ideas?  Thoughts?

(The exercise I referenced above is fantastic.  All you need is a yoga ball or really you could probably even do it with a pillow.  Lie down on the floor, face up.  Place the yoga ball or pillow or improvised item between your legs, kind of in the center between your knees and your ankles.  Now lift the yoga ball up to about your stomach and then transfer it to your hands.  Bring it down above your head and then back to your legs.  Repeat this for 3 sets of 15 reps.  I guarantee your abs will hurt for days, which is awesome.)