Sputtering like Thomas the Tank Engine

It's been a few days now since the onset of flu, and I'm not as weak as I was. However short runs in the past few days have only helped to sort out exactly where I'm at. My legs are pretty game, but my chest congestion is another matter altogether.

At the end of the run, I come up gasping for air like I've been underwater too long - basically once  stop running I can't restart. Now this is a bit of hitch since I'm not one to reel of 21k on the trot.

My trusty doc has plied with a pile of pills - steroids and the like to get me clear - and has certified that I should be good to run the course (God bless her )!! Needed that external validation since friends and family have been recommending discretion as the better part of valour, however this one clean chit makes it all good!!

I just need to manage a moderate pace, since whenever I up tempo, the sputtering kicks in, and i feel like Thomas the Tank Engine on a Smoggy Winter day.