Happy weekend all! Hope you are enjoying it. Are you dressing up for Halloween? I haven’t decided yet. Nothing like some last-minute decision-making. If it comes down to it, I’m sure I can throw together a black cat costume and pick up some ears and a tail at Ricky’s. We shall see…
How was everyone’s Friday? Mine was crazy busy. I attended a work event in New Jersey in the morning, then caught a ride back to NYC and attempted to finish up all of my regular work in the afternoon.
However, what made things seem even a bit more stressful was that with all of this craziness going on, I was also coping with a very bad allergic reaction to the mosquito bites on my arm. I have NEVER in my life had an allergic reaction like this. The mosquito attack took place on Wednesday night, when I was bit five times. On Thursday, the bites looked pretty bad, but by Thursday night they were out of control. Here’s a picture that kind of shows it.
See all the redness up and down my arm? Those are huge bug bites alright. Determined to get in a run, I headed out to the East River Esplanade right after this picture was taken for a quick run. Not only are these bug bites bright red, but my entire arm is about twice its normal size. I think of my left arm as appearing like a Popeye arm. The bites are so swollen and itchy it’s ridiculous.
So running with a giant, red, throbbing, swollen, itchy arm was not very much fun. I managed to get in a good 4 miles before it got too dark. Here are my stats:
Mile 1 – 8:54
Mile 2 – 8:45
Mile 3 – 8:43
Mile 4 – 8:29
.26 – 2:36
Total mileage – 4.26 miles in 37:28. Average pace – 8:47 minute miles
I thought maybe things with my arm would start to get better on Friday. And I know this will sound impossible, but it got worse. Now my arm was throbbing and painful to touch. I made it through the day okay, but when I got home last night (Friday), I popped two extra strength Benadryl and prayed for some relief. I didn’t want to take the Benadryl during the day because it makes me so drowsy. And indeed, by 8:30 p.m. it had kicked in and I was feeling loopy and tired. My arm was feeling a little less huge and throbbing though. I vaguely remember moving into the bedroom around 10 p.m. after realizing I had fallen asleep on the couch.
And so how’s it looking this morning? Still swollen and painful, but it seems like maybe the swelling is coming down a bit.
I have also instituted a “no opening the window” policy for the rest of the early fall season. It stinks that I can’t let the fresh air in right now – since it’s sooo gorgeous out. But I just can’t risk another attack.
So my question to you all – what are you allergic to?
Obviously, I now know that I was allergic to this particularly mosquito. I have never had a reaction like this before though. I’m also highly allergic to dogs. I know so sad. I get the usual sneezing and chest congestion, but then if the dog happens to lick me, I break out in hives. I’m also allergic to cats. Yes, I know – what about Murph? I take a daily generic antihistamine that I get from Wal-Mart called Equate.
I don’t actually take this everyday though because after living with Murphy for 4+ years, I’ve sort of become immune to him. Funny how that works. But when I’m around other cats for an extended timeframe, I do have to take one of these pills.
How do I know what I’m allergic to, you might ask, other than the terrible reactions? I went to an allergist a few years ago and he gave me the allergy prick test on my arm and then watched as the allergic bumps popped up. Unfortunately, mosquitos were not part of the allergy test, although maybe I should recommend to the doc that they should be.
Regardless, I am going to continue taking Benadryl until the itching and swelling subsides. Hopefully I can get in a run today and then tomorrow as well…possibly with my Popeye arm.
Have a great weekend all!
Eat, Read, Run 