Biohazard Week

Normally I stay fairly healthy, but last week I presented a biohazard to those around me. It started as a normal Tuesday morning, but I soon had a slight tickle in the back of my throat and the sense that something was going wrong. My first thought was that once I got home, I would take a huge vitamin C dose and all would be right with the world.

Damn, things change fast. By the time I got home, I must have looked pretty bad because my wife offered to run to the store and get me something to help, leaving me at home on the sofa. I made it up to bed and then stayed there through most of the day Wednesday and even into Thursday evening. I had not wanted to be down two whole days, but I really lacked the energy to do anything about it.

I also normally don’t go without shaving, but this reminded me how fast facial hair grows. I did shower, mostly because the hot and humid air helped to clear the sinuses, but even still I was not a pretty sight.

I can’t remember the last time I had the flu, but I don’t think it came on so suddenly and with such ferocity. The speed of it surprised me and I guess it is something I will now try to remember in case I ever need to have a character in a novel suddenly down and out because of illness. And the length of time I had a fever (making me a biohazard) was longer than I normally suffer (lasted through Thursday night).

I am still not back to 100% and it is almost a week later. On the plus side, I didn’t get a sinus infection as a result and for that I am grateful.

By Saturday I had enough of being sick that I went ahead and did the Kansas City Zoo Run. Friday night I wasn’t sure, but I got up Saturday and pretty much said, “screw it, what’s the worst that can happen?” Not certain, but a nice hot 4-mile run seemed to help kill off the last the flu (or that will be my story). I didn’t post a great time, but I did manage a 13:16 pace. Next year I will do better (assuming I don’t become another biohazard days before).