Wednesday, October 20, 2010

a plea ...

Dear Marathon Fairy,

I have been told by others that you show up at the end of a marathon and ease the load for the runner. That you babysit children and clean up the house. That you would let me rest and recover without interruption. But I am starting to wonder if you are ever going to show up.

I mean, isn't it enough that I pushed myself through 26.2 miles while my digestive tract exploded? Can't I get a little help around here? In your absence, recovery has been slow and I am blaming it on you. Also, I am blaming the following issues on your failure to arrive ...

The fact that I now appear to have a sinus infection. My whole face hurts. It hurts to chew. And let's just say, when I blow my nose, well, it's not clear. Oh, and did I mention that every time I cough, I feel like I am being stabbed just to the left of my belly button. What's up with that?

Or, what about the fact that everyone in my household is sick. I sent three kids to bed with fevers last night. They are whiny and cranky and just a pain to be around. And who gets to tend to their every need? Right. Me. Not the Marathon Fairy who failed to show up. And did you get them memo that J is sick too. Plus, he has Poison Ivy. Add to that the fact that men are notoriously wimpy when it comes to illness and you can see I have my hands full.

I ran yesterday. And it went OK. But, if we are being honest here, I AM WEAK. I am no longer sore, but I feel like my muscles don't have the power to get me up the stairs. And thanks to you, Marathon Fairy, I have to go up and down the stairs a lot.

I have no energy. I fell asleep at 2 p.m. yesterday while my kids played. And last night, I couldn't make it to the end of Biggest Loser. Thanks for making me miss all my favorite shows.

I gained 8 pounds. Sure, it's probably my own fault for eating too much food during the past month or two, but maybe if you had shown up, I could have been taking a nap instead of shoveling food down my throat.

I am sure there is more that I can hold your absence accountable for. But, I don't have the time or energy to list every one of your shortcomings here. I just want you to know that at this point, I think you suck. And you will not be getting a letter of reference from me.

Yours in running,
Tonia

33 comments:

Lisa said...

Cute post! I'm sorry you are and your family are sick. I hope you all feel better soon. I'm surprised you are no longer sore - I was sore for a week after my first half. Feel better and take care of yourself!

Silly Girl Running said...

You made me laugh out loud, here! :) Hope you feel better soon. Try to get as much rest as you can!

Meredith said...

So, are you pretty much saying there's no marathon fairy??

So sorry you're all feeling so crappy. Prayers for healing are being said!

Get some rest!

Michel said...

Good post!
The Marathon Fairy gave my kids the day off of school the day after Chicago (columbus day). Go me. hahano.
I hope every gets over the sickies fast!

RunToTheFinish said...

ohh man I sure hope you get to feeling better, that's definitely not the most fun way to recover at all! tell your hubby he needs to take a sick day for you and bustle away the little one's while you sleep :)

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

It seems like I often get sick after a long race. Bummer that you have an entire household of illness to deal with. You probably need a few days of rest to allow your body to build it's self back up after pushing through so much! Take it easy on yourself. Because it is all up to you and you have a lot on your plate. So much that that fairy is even afraid to show up and help!
Feel better!

dawn @ running the dawn said...

oh wow! i will plead to the marathon fairy for you too! what a hard way to recover. maybe some more time off from running? sounds like your legs could use it...

Marlene said...

Brutal!!! You are not only drained from the marathon, but also the stomach bug that literally cleaned you out... and now a sinus infection and sick kids? No fair! Hubs should bring you cupcakes. Many cupcakes.

Don't worry, we'll lose our marathon pudge next month.

Laurie said...

I hate it when my husband is sick and I'm sick and the kids are sick... nothing worse than that, except having to do it while recovering from a marathon, I can't even imagine. Hope you feel better soon.

Why is it men are such babies when they get sick?

Rae said...

Ugh! Sorry you and your entire family are sick! Isn't it great how when the Hubby is sick you have to take care of him too...even if you are sick! You are Super Woman!

Runners Fuel said...

I hope everyone gets better soon!!

Unknown said...

everyone being sick is the worst!
Hope the brood get well soon :)

Erika said...

nothing worst than everyone being sick. Hope you are all on the mend soon!

Christa said...

I so understand. I ran Chicago and now I am sick and so is everyone else in my family (4 kids worth of running noses and coughs). No rest for the mommy!!! Hope everyone gets well soon.

Judi said...

You ran yesterday????

Hope everyone gets better soon! And who knows maybe your plea will bring the fairy after all! :)

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

Stupid fairies.

Anonymous said...

Ugh... if I see that marathon fairy, I will kick her butt for you... and then I'll get her on my schedule way in advance for Dec. 6.

Caratunk Girl said...

Ugh, feel better.

Tricia said...

hope everyone feels better soon!

Aimee said...

Aw...I'm sorry you are all sick. That just sucks! I know how hard it is to have sick kids, then when you/hubby are sick too, it's even harder! I hope you all feel better soon!

Stephanie said...

I blame the marathon fairy even when I haven't run a marathon.

Nicole said...

Love the post...sorry to hear you're all sick! No rest for the wicked...or Mommies, that's for sure. Good for you for running, though! I managed power yoga today...I thought that was good! I'm also back on the WW wagon. Darn that marathon eating!

Jen said...

awww....sorry you guys aren't feeling well. Hope it turns around quickly!

Rene' said...

Well that is not good! I thought that she went to everyone's house after a marathon...is she not going to arrive at my house.
on a serious note...hopefully everyone feels better soon. there are a lot of bugs here in NH right now. I am sure that I will be hit the week of the marathon.

Emz said...

I never liked fairies.

kat said...

Sorry to hear the marathon fairy has not visited your house, maybe she will after this post, hope everyone feels better soon.

Kevin @ HalfTRIing said...

You are the only other blogger that has the Half Fanatic logo on your blog. I was starting to feel lonely. :-)

Kevin
Halftriing.blogspot.com

Liz said...

I'm so sorry! I do hope you all feel better soon.

Unknown said...

Oh, everyone? Poor you!

I hope the marathon signs up for some running coaching. Then, she can get everywhere she needs to way faster.

Leah F said...

Love this!

Eryn said...

I ran my first half this weekend, and I gained 3 lbs! What the heck is up with that. Apparently I overjustified my calories burned. :)

Feel Better!

Unknown said...

Bwahaha! Classic. Hope you feel better soon.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Julie D. said...

Good grief, if there is a marathon fairy...I'm suing for negligence! No help for the weary here either. so sorry everyone is sick. I feel your pain!! get better soon! Oh, and the weight gain... yep, right there with you on that too.