Eleven days after it first began, I am STILL plague-ridden. I really thought that yesterday would be the last day of my horrid cough and froggy voice, but come bedtime, I was kept awake for hours with the gagging TB cough and woken up this morning by the same affliction. I would feel guilty about not working out, except for the fact that my abs are actually sore from all of the coughing muscle contractions.
So, I don't necessarily feel guilty about the fact that I haven't run in 10 days, but I do feel exceptionally stressed about that fact given that I'm meant to be running a half marathon in five days. I honestly don't know what to do. I've always operated under the rule of symptoms above the neck, okay to run, symptoms below the neck, keep the running shoes in the closet. But I HAVE to run this week. I'm worried about the fact that I'm still coughing and my lungs are all mucousy (yum!) but I really need to gauge my running ability at this point.
I'm hoping to get in four or five miles today and Wednesday, then a short run on Thursday before taking Friday off in preparation for the half. I'm comforting myself with the fact that a lot of people surely run half marathons with far less training than I've done, and if I can't run it, well by golly I sure can walk for 13 miles. I've been working up to this for so many months now, I can't just throw in the towel and not even try.
But oh, I'm so, so disappointed.
On top of that, I'm starting to feel incredibly anxious about our house in Washington. We had wonderful renters in it who were planning to be there long-term, but sadly they had some personal issues arise that forced them to move to a new city. So our house has been waiting for a new occupant since December, and so far, no bites. Our tenants were kind enough to pay their rent through the end of January, so as long as someone moves in by February 1st we aren't missing a payment, but January surely is speeding by awfully rapidly and so far no bites.
This is why I've never been remotely interested in becoming some kind of super-landlord with rental houses across the map. It's too stressful and unpredictable, and the idea of having to pay the mortgage with no help from rental income for months on end makes me want to throw up. In addition, we're going to have to drop thousands on our IVF procedure in February, so the extra padding in our savings account is a lot less fluffy than we would like. And we're having to drop some money on home improvements in our Charleston house to make it ready to hit the real estate market in the next couple of months.
Ugh. I really do have high hopes for 2012, and I'm still hopeful that things will start turning around soon, but oh my god, we are not getting off to a good start at all.
I'm sure it will turn around soon, but I know how you feel about the half marathon. I trained for a few months then ended up with stress fractures in both my hips by a couple weeks before the event. I took like 2 weeks off and then ran it in a ridiculous amount of paun, but I did it, and don't regret it. I'm sure you will do just fine, even if you don't run much until then. If you aren't ready for it now, a couple more runs aren't going to make a huge difference, ya know? And btw- I think your house in WA will be just fine. I know the stress, but it will come together! Good luck and will be praying for you!!
Posted by: Kaela | January 09, 2012 at 03:06 PM
I hope you feel better! I share your rental pain...I have a place in MN that I couldn't sell and have been renting at a loss for 3 years, and I am doubtful that we'll be able to sell this place. I hate being a landlord. I don't think we'll buy at our next station! But...in your case it will only get better!!!
Posted by: Katie | January 09, 2012 at 06:26 PM
Feel better soon!
I'm sure you'll get someone in there soon! The holidays just slowed people down a little.
Posted by: thoughtsappear | January 09, 2012 at 07:20 PM
So sorry :( I'm sure things will pick up soon! Try and stay positive and good luck on your Half Marathon!!!
Posted by: Solange | January 09, 2012 at 08:33 PM
Holy stressballs! Hold on--things can turn on a dime. And if you know a good chiropractor, see if you can get adjusted. Colds and coughing can really put you out of whack.
Posted by: Kate P | January 10, 2012 at 05:47 AM
Oh, man. So stressful. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way!!
Posted by: Kristina | January 10, 2012 at 04:23 PM
If I haven't said it already, zinc is the way to go. It prevents or cuts colds in half. Also, do a soak of 3c Epsom salt, 1 bottle of peroxide, and a little ginger or eculaytpus oil. Stay in it about 20 min.
Posted by: Elle sees | January 10, 2012 at 09:19 PM
Hopefully you're just getting a bunch of the hard stuff out of the way early so you're free and clear to enjoy the rest of the year! In the meantime, I need your email so I can add you to the now-private family blog. (If you're interested, no worries if not!)
Posted by: Cat | January 11, 2012 at 11:09 PM
I hope you feel better ASAP. Sometimes a little exercise can clear out some of the mucus? Maybe it's just me?
Anyway, I hope some lovely renters appear soon. That must be so stressful!
Posted by: Deidre | January 12, 2012 at 01:41 AM
If you aren't already, you should be taking Mucinex. Just sayin' :) Running a half marathon doesn't appeal to me even on my best of days, but I sure do hope you're feeling better and up for it in a couple days!
Posted by: Caro | January 13, 2012 at 02:21 AM
I hope you are feeling better!! Good luck on Saturday! I wish I was running it! You are going to do great!
Posted by: erin - heart in ireland | January 13, 2012 at 03:39 AM
Don't push yourself too hard! I've been sick since last Tuesday and I don't see it leaving anytime soon either!
Even if you don't complete all your goals just realize that life is always changing around us. Do what you can, but remember all the other new adventures ahead of you. Time for new goals too! Hope you feel better :)
Posted by: erin | January 16, 2012 at 04:33 PM