I honestly think it’s providence that I didn’t run my hometown #2 race, the Chicago marathon, over the weekend.  Divine providential intervention.

For most of last week, I was laid up with a pretty nasty virus.  I don’t think it was H1N1 or the flu–maybe just a nasty cold or allergy issues–but damn, it blew.  Quite literally and figuratively, in fact.  I made it to work only on Monday and part of Thursday of last week because I felt miserable.  The symptoms ranged from an achy neck (because of my swollen glands), to a scratchy throat that hurt when I swallowed, to lots of coughing and sneezing, and the symptoms seemed to change each day.  Consequently, I haven’t run since 10/3, a delightful “last long run” with Jack and Guerline, who both rocked Chicago’s marathon yesterday.  Anyway, I haven’t been sick since late October 2008, so I suppose I was “due,” but man… absolutely awful.

About 10 gallons of OJ and many, many hours of sleeping later… I’m glad to report I feel like a whole new girl.  Good thing, too, since MCM is around the corner.

I have to give some love to the many hometown heroes in yesterday’s marathon.  It was great to see so many of them on the course near my home.  I handed out fluids until my appendages damn near froze, and then I went back home to re-clothe and headed back outside to cheer.  It was cool to be on the other side of the marathon for the first time in a while 🙂

Great job to all my runner buddies- Mimi, Michael, Maria, Andy, Rob, Tom, Jack, Traci, Lourdes, Casey, Art, Steve, Ed, Guerline, JulieAnn, and Kelly, among many, many others.  I’m so proud of all of you!!