Urgh, sorry to hear you not been feeling well, and pigeons?
I seem to remember you saying you had felt under the weather a few times? I started oil pulling a few yers ago and have felt the odd tickle here and there, but basically haven't been ill since. I don't even do it all the time, just do a month or so here and there when I feel the need.
Yesterdays run was postponed till today, partly because I overdid it a little bit on Wednesday and my achilles was hurting a bit on Thursday and my body was telling me to just rest, partly because I just did not want to go.
As predicted not carrying the weight made me feel much lighter, I actually got a bit of spring in my step back as a result of that! For the first time since I started running again I felt able to, and did bounce from one rock to another on sections of the run. I even feel like my general pace picked up a little and I felt stronger going up. Unfortunately I got ridiculous cramp in the right shin on the home stretch and had to stop/walk several times to shake it out, this meant I lost all my gains to come in at 3.37 miles, 385' climb in 37:01 mins - so overall just the same.
I'm envious of your upcoming events, hope you do well!! I just need to be patient, my first one is next Sunday!