Every fall it is exciting to see the batch of learners I am working with get ready for the school year. Some love it, some don’t. I definitely was a kiddo that loved school (big nerd that’s still a nerd). After I graduated college, I continued working with children and young adults through behavioral support so I have been pretty involved in the educational sector. Because of this, I get to be exposed to the fall illnesses like every other young person I am around. No matter how healthy I am leading up to the school year, the result ends up the same for me. Even after 10 years of attempting to build up my immune system.

Sick.

Cough, hack, sniffles. You name it, I’ll have it. It probably is because being a Redhead puts me at a genetic disadvantage for battling any illness. Or maybe it’s due to being an average runner with a pretty average immune system. The only thing I know for sure is that every year I think I will build up the right antibodies to fight this year’s germs and my body fails me yet again. At least I am consistent.

August Running

It’s been a slow start to the month with battling the beginning of cold symptoms. As I mentioned above, the inevitable happened and I quickly came down with this years cold just as every other two year old did. On the bright side, I managed to somewhat continue running through the process.

Looking at my data over the past five years, August is consistently the lowest or one of the lowest months of running mileage that I do each year. I do think there is a direct correlation between the school year starting and me getting sick. Typically my students I work with start meeting their teachers towards the end of July and into early August, and the last minute summer parties are scheduled. My immune system gives up shortly after.

This year, I have had symptoms similar to one battling bad allergies. I did have shortness of breath for about two weeks (No Covid luckily!) and overall lethargic feelings. I did not feel at tip top shape for my runs and just focused on getting in small amounts each week to keep some consistency going.

For the month, I have been averaging about 15 miles per week with each run lasting about 30ish minutes a pop. Luckily, I managed to kick the overall sickness feeling in the butt this week and return to breathing normal. I celebrated with a hour and a half run and it felt great to be back at it! Funny how that run was almost my weekly mileage in one go. I am feeling that run today. I think my legs forgot what sore was.

As for the kiddos and young adults I teach, only one got sick so he and I are pointing fingers at each other for the ‘who done it’. I think he got it from school. I am older so I can pull that card. In reality, maybe I got it from a karaoke mic after butchering a Queen song. The world will never know.

Hope your end of summer has come to a fun end and if you have anyone in the school system, you are staying sickness free! Here’s to a good fall!