First I wrote about the importance of starting gently at an altitude camp and then about how in week 2 I might not have done that. So, this article is about the consequences of overdoing it at altitude.
After week 2, my body was still fresh and also on Monday and Tuesday of week 3.
Tuesday afternoon was a great training session with Kristian and my coach Henrik, who monitored it from the sidelines.
My coach, Henrik, joined us Tuesday in week 3, to add training planning and treatment - and he proved very necessary.
Sore legs and tired body
Wednesday morning I woke up with a tight and sore calf and a VERY tired body. We jogged a gentle 70min and I was tired, more than usual. I almost stood with my hands on my knees in the supermarket, as we shopped afterwards, and I mostly felt like lying down in the cold fruit and vegetable section.
Wednesday afternoon, (after a nap, plenty of food, and relaxation) the body was better, but the calf more sore – we had to change the plan. Pronounced fatigue and significant soreness were clear signs that I had overdone it at altitude. The body was stressed. Week 2 had maybe been too tough? And now came the bill? There's always a bill if you cross the line, the size depends on how much you squeeze the lemon.
A squeezed lemon
Thursday and Friday were calmer days and it paid off promptly, so by Saturday and Sunday I felt better running and had managed the calf. 170km for the week total and there was now a week until the EM. I was hopeful again. Unfortunately, the body had other plans. One of the things that can happen when you're on (and over) the edge, is that your immune system gets a bit suppressed, and you become more susceptible to illness. I got one; a stomach infection to start the EM week with, it was critical.
Monday, Tuesday and the night to Wednesday were spent in bed and on the toilet. I felt terrible and it affected me mentally. As great as it is to be at a training camp when things are going well, it's just as frustrating when you're ill, injured or otherwise unable to train. You're in a place where it's all about training, surrounded by people doing it and the constant reminder that you can't - it's frustrating. Add to that, the days counting down to a race you've been looking forward to, it sets the mentality ontest.
Fortunately, the mood returns as quickly as the illness fades. Wednesday, on our travel day to Antalya in Turkey, where the EC cross country was to take place on Sunday, I started to feel better.
