Sometimes you have to throw in the towel and bag a race. As much I like to follow through on things I set out to do; when not feeling well, you should listen to what your body is saying to you. Wednesday night I had poor night's sleep, waking up with the early signs of a cold. Throughout the day, Thursday, the symptoms got worse and it was clear that Friday was going to be a sick day. Not a bad birthday present; lying around in bed all day.

So here we are on Saturday morning; I woke with a headache and a head stuffed up. After a cup of coffee, I am feeling better, certainly on the road to a full recovery, but not there just yet. I probably could run the annual Ho Ho Ho Holiday 5K Run in Old Bethpage, today, if I had to but, why chance getting back to 100%? I have run this race maybe 4 or 5 times over the years and even though it is a new course, they give out nice sweatshirts as souvenirs and I already paid the entrance fee, what's the big deal. Besides, its 30 degrees outside now with winds making it feel 20 degrees. Hmm, seems pretty straight forward and anyway, my friend Brian will probably pick up a sweatshirt for me (like I need another one). There's always the next race.