If there ever is a worst time to get sick, last week was definitely it for me. I had a three-day business trip planned and had a Half Marathon I had signed up to run on Sunday. I spent Monday and Tuesday terribly sick in bed (but with my Blackberry and laptop sleeping beside me) and spent a good part of Wednesday in a boxy Seat 12B of Southwest Airlines, and all rest of the week in a tiny, crowded conference away from home. I didn’t go out during the week except for one night for a little business dinner and slept as much as I could, but sleeping in a cheap, uncomfortable hotel bed only worsened my condition. I was sicker by Friday than I was on Monday 😦

As soon as I got home, I begged my boyfriend to take me to a good Pho place and he rushed me to Vietnam Restaurant in San Gabriel Valley (god bless him). I don’t usually crave Pho or any South East Asian cuisines but the only thing that would make me feel better that day was a hot, aromatic bowl of the rice noodle swimming in a clear broth. It’s strange what your body craves when you’re feeling under the weather. Now I totally know why people go for Pho to get over their hangovers!

(The pungent basil, cilantro, lime, been sprout, and jalapeno peppers on the side)

Just because I was sick didn’t mean that I had a decrease in appetite. It was quite a contrary for me that day, and I ended up ordering a big bowl of Pho, accompanied by the yummy Spring Rolls and a red bean and coconut drink.

(Spring rolls with rice noodle, shrimps, beef, and cilantro)

The Pho was so cozy, comforting and delicious that I wanted to just take it home and cuddle with it in bed! I felt immediately better after finishing it and felt good enough to run the Half Marathon in Pasadena on Sunday.

After lunch, we headed over to the Convention Center to pick up the packet with race T-shirt and bib. I was so psyched to see all the fellow runners and reconnect with the running community and I was certain that I was going to feel good enough to run the race the following day. I met Dane Rouschenberg, an author of a book, “See Dane Run,” that chronicles his journey of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks (that’s one marathon every week!). He was totally cool and super motivational! My boyfriend even drove around the course for me.

Unfortunately, when the morning came, I still felt like shit and didn’t think it was a good idea to put myself through the race. I had already gotten fully dressed (with my running shoes and all) but could not stop coughing … so I decided to take it easy and nip this Flu in the bud, once and for all, by staying home and rest. I’m so bummed that I didn’t get to partake in this special, inaugural race that I had been looking forward to for so long. I was feeling depressed for almost the entire day today but I’ve decided to stop dwelling and focus my energy on upcoming races.  Tomorrow is a brand new day 🙂

Vietnam Restaurant
340 W Las Tunas Dr
San Gabriel, CA 91776
★★★★☆