Monday Musings 4.4.2011, Buffalo NY Wedding Photography

The week started off poorly.

Excited about the fantastic ten-miler I ran the previous Saturday I hoped to repeat that success this week by slowly increasing my mileage. There are a couple of upcoming 1/2 marathons in the area and I was hoping to run at least one. My goal of running a full-marathon was renewed but also delayed.  I had that same goal when I was much younger but injury and depression kept me out of the hunt.

My alarm sounded at 4:45 AM. I reached for the clock, shut off the alarm and swung my legs to the side of the bed. As is customary I thought for a few minutes about my sanity. Still I decided the benefits far outreached any identified negatives and I rose. Contacts in, bladder voided I walked to my office where I retrieved my running clothes. I dressed for my run and laced on my shoes. GPS on my iPhone was set and off I went. I quickly found my pace and my breathing synched with each step. I felt good and decided to increase my distance.

As I ran I listened to my body. I ignored what it said. I ran 5.44 miles, turned into the driveway and began to cough. This symptom I also ignored possibly because it had been present for the past couple of weeks.

Physically the run was easy. Emotionally the run was more difficult. I returned home excited about my accomplishment but lacking a certain spark. I couldn’t put my finger on it, there just didn’t feel as though there was any energy.

The week got progressively worse. The cough I had intensified and in true “male” form I refused to seek medical assistance. One of the OB/GYN nurse practitioners decided she had enough of me coughing and prescribed an anti-biotic. Friday rolled around and it was clear whatever I had was becoming worse. One if the docs listened to my lungs and wrote out a script for a chest x-ray. The diagnosis? Pneumonia in my left lung. Apparently, while still of concern it was a rather mild case. More antibiotics, rest and fluid.

The remainder of the week saw sleep, meds, fluids and more sleep. As the weekend progressed I began to feel better. Another week away from running appears on the horizon.

Namaste

Chris