The Little Piggy Flu That Couldn't

This past Saturday while i was lazily enjoying the slow southern life of Alabama i received a text from my dear roommate informing  me that my long awaited running shoes had arrived in the mail.

I should probably fess up to the fact that i had already text her twice since i had been gone asking her to check the front porch for my shoe arrival.  Neither of us use the front door now that there are just two of us living here and over the past few weeks a couple of killer birds have made a nest out of our light fixture over our front door.  Needless to say, it  made me a little nervous to have my beloved shoes sitting under what i imagine is a steady stream of bird poo.

On our drive back to Conway the next day there were two phrases that came out of my mouth more than a few times.  The first one was "can we stop? i have to pee again."

I'm such a joy to have on a road trip.

And i now realize i have successfully (or perhaps unsuccessfully) discussed both "poo" and "pee" within the first three small paragraphs of this post.

Classy.

The second phrase was "i can't wait to get home and take my new shoes on a run." I'm not kidding...these shoes have been more anticipated than...well..i can't think of anything witty to compare it to.  But trust me, they've been highly anticipated.

As soon as i got home Sunday evening i ripped open the box, threw them on and hurried on over to Salem Trail to enjoy the last fragments of daylight that were left.  And let me tell you...IT WAS THE BEST RUN OF MY LIFE.  

The shoes that i've been running in i've had for about two and a half years, and every time i mention to anybody what type of running shoe i use they've shot me a look of disbelief quickly followed by disgust and told me it's a wonder my body hasn't completely fallen apart yet.  And that's what it's felt like...a slow death.

But not Sunday night.  I finished after being able to go further than i ever have before and as i walked to my car i realized that it didn't feel like my knee was on fire or that my ankles were going to go out or that the doctor i work for was going to have to adjust my back.  In fact, i felt really really good.  I was on running cloud 9.

And then on Monday i woke up with what i am convinced is the swine flu.

And all week long these beautiful shoes have sat in the same spot, mocking me every time i look at them.  

I keep expecting to wake up each day feeling better and able to go on a run.  And really, there have been very few times in my life where i actually yearn to go on a run, so i feel as if i should take advantage of it.

But apparently my body has different plans.

So in the meantime i have consumed an entire box of white cheddar cheez-its and probably a gallon of sweet tea.  It's a good thing i'm so health conscious while i'm not able to so much as move without wanting to pass out.  

I'm sure those calories are just burning themselves.