Out of Order

I've decided this week that I need to get me a shirt like this one. So that people who see me and wonder why I look like a heroin addict in withdrawl will at least understand that I am not working at 100% capacity. For about 6 weeks now, I have had a sinus infection- yes, that long- runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, fatigue, etc. At first, I thought I had a little cold due to a lot of training/running and not enough sleep. However, a month or so has passed and obviously it's not getting better, actually it's worse. I think I hit my worst while we were in Moab. The red dust didn't do much for my allergies, or whatever this is. I have never had allergies before but since my symptoms seem to be along those lines, that's what I am guessing.



So last week I finally caved and got me some Claritin. I don't like taking any drugs at all, especially one I have to take daily. I always think of those commercials with the 10 minutes of side effects like bleeding intestines, rashes, migraines, and all sorts of other crazy things. I figure I can get through it. And since I don't get sick often, this plan usually works just fine. However, I reached my threshold. I needed sleep! I felt like I was awake all night and I was so tired all the time. The Claritin is a catch 22 though, it helps the allergy symptoms, but I find that I am sort of awake during the night, I think due to the pseudoephedrine. What to do? It seems to be a choice between A) staying awake all night b/c my nose is stuffy, I can't breathe, dry cotton mouth makes me thirsty, blow my nose, etc. OR B) ephedrine keeps me awake. Good Times, right?

I feel like an old woman with my nose drops, and the humidifier next to the bed, with a bottle of water and tissues at hand. Seriously, this is just wrong. I know I am being whiny and complaining, but I've got to vent. It's been a long haul. I'm about to buy stock in Kleenex tissues. I can't go anywhere without them!



On Saturday, I had an 18 mile run with my training friends. As you can imagine, all of this allergy nonsense doesn't really help one to feel in tip-top condition. I was already nervous about the run, then Friday night I hardly slept a wink. I am not sure if it was all due to health issues or if it was nerves, most likely a combination of both. Either way, I was awake at 11:30, 1:00, 3:00, 4:30, etc. When my alarm went off at 5:30, I turned it off and got right out of bed- it was like I never slept. I had some breakfast and headed out figuring I would do my best. We went up to 54th where the SL Running Co. had organized a run on the parkway. I had my Gatorade and some Sport Beans. I was ok for the first half or so, but by 14 miles I was just feeling crappy. My left knee was sort of tweaked and I felt like I was going to throw up. I think I had too much Gatorade and sugary stuff and not enough water. The lukewarm water wasn't helping the queasy stomach. I hardly had any Gatorade or beans after 10-12 miles. I just wanted to get through it. The last 4 miles was just torture. It made me really worried about the marathon, but the girls told me everyone has a bad training day now and then. We finished under 3 hours and I couldn't wait to get home. I hardly said a word on the way back. I just wanted to shower and collapse in bed.

I basically did nothing on Saturday- I hardly ate anything b/c my stomach still felt queasy and I was just wasted. I drank a lot of water. Sunday morning the alarm went off and I wanted to die. Jared said, "Why don't you stay home from church?" I didn't argue and I ended up sleeping the next 4 hours. I ate lunch with them and went to sleep again with Ashley until early evening! It was like I was finally catching up on months of sleep. I should note here that I had not taken a Claritin since Friday, so I think it was out of my system and that's why I was able to sleep. I went to bed that night at the normal time, 10:00, and slept until 8:30 the next morning. Seriously, should I be alarmed here or was my body just recovering from a long run and little sleep? We have a 20 mile run this weekend and I am really, really hoping that it goes ALOT better than the 18. It has to.

So that's my saga. That's why I haven't been blogging and have hardly checked email or anything this past week. Don't feel like I have done much, actually, other than: laundry, feed kids, do dishes, shower, repeat cycle. I am hoping to snap out of this very soon. I am trying to take it easy and get more rest (hello!) so that I can get back to my normal self. I've had enough of this self!

EDITED AT 5PM WEDNESDAY: I called the Dr. first thing this morning (before I saw all of your comments) and got myself an appt. Thankfully, they did an xray to confirm the sinus infection (I didn't know they did that) and prescribed me one serious horsepill antibiotic- 2 pills, 2 times a day! I am very hopeful that this will KNOCK the pants off this infection and get rid of it once and for all. I am so ready to feel better, have more energy, and be myself again! I don't know why I waited so long. I am so glad to know it's not allergies.