The road trip is officially over; I’ve been home since Thursday. I ran my easy 4.5 mile loop on Friday and met the ladies for our Saturday morning run the next day at Chautauqua, but noticed how pooped I was. I didn’t even make it to the Radio Tower at the end of the trail on Saturday because of a general sense of fatigue. I couldn’t figure it out, but chalked it all up to “Road Trip” and decided that a few hours of yoga would put all my aches to right again.
Fast forward to Monday morning, and perspective has changed. It turns out I had a mild flu bug. I napped on Saturday and slept most of Sunday, interspersed with guzzling water and Tylenol for the body aches. My temperature spiked a few times, but returned to normal within a few hours.
It’s times like these that I give thanks for the strength of my body. I can’t run today, and could barely walk yesterday due to the stiffness. I slept in spurts last night, moaning when I had to turn my head because of the soreness in my neck. This wasn’t health in any sense of the word, but I realize that many people live with this sort of pain, and worse, every day of their lives. I am truly thankful for the relative health of my body and the fact that it can get up most days and put in a solid day of activity according to my whim.
No running for this girl, at least for another day or so. Since it’s quiet at the moment, the kids are at camp and I’m parked on the couch, here are a few memorable pics from the road trip.
Arrowhead! Found this in the field just below the house. Indians have been in this valley for thousands of years; this one is about 5,000 yrs old.
Saturday morning run on the farm. The woods are dense in West Virgina, and the sun was struggling to penetrate the leaves.
Love the ferns!
The speed limit sign is a piece of humor, as it's parked on a 4-wheel trail on the farm. I thought it was funny to see the outhouse behind the sign; a little "then-and-now" collage.
The massive tree outside Monticello (Thomas Jefferson's house). We visited on the hottest day of the year in 98% humidity.
We visited Seneca Caverns, truly worth seeing!
The kids and I rode the Old Greenbriar Trail, a "rails to trail" that follows the Greenbriar River. When we got hot, we just put down the bikes and waded into the water.
Feel better! Summer illnesses are no joke
Amazing how being temporarily sick and in pain reminds us that it’s actually pretty incredible how our bodies do exactly what we want them to on most days. Feel better, and keep up that sense of gratitude for your health once the flu is gone!
Hi Lara! Welcome home – man, it sounds like you and the gang had a great adventure – a blessing you made it home before the flew bug bit you.
Rest up and get well soon! Those familiar trails will be calling your name soon enough. Best from steamy Austin, J