Alaska Cruise, then Flu, then Pneumonia!

Just as I was getting into good running shape again, I went on a 7-day Holland America Alaskan cruise. The cruise was wonderful. Great sights in Alaska, Canada, and on the water, plus fun shore excursions. And I got to see family before and after (in Seattle). I even ran a couple of times--once on the ship, once on shore in Alaska! Then I got sick. Really sick. 

One day after disembarking, I starting feeling poor. One day later (on flight back home) I was feeling really bad. Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, serious fatigue. The next day I went to the doctor and they did several tests (nose swab for flu/covid, blood tests, and chest x-ray). They gave me several medications, inhaler, and nebulizer. At the time, they ruled out pneumonia and thought it might be serious flu. But they did not like my O2 saturation (it barely went up after the nebulizer and was below 90). Eventually, at the end of my clinic visit, they said "Would you like us to call an ambulance or can your wife drive you to the hospital now?" I felt like shit, but the hospital? Really? My wife can take me there. Off we went. 

At the hospital, they immediately put me on oxygen and did more tests (another chest x-ray, blood tests, EKG, and deep nose swab). Hooked me up to saline IV since I was dehydrated and low on potassium. Guess the frequent vomiting and diarrhea drained my fluids! I also had another nebulizer treatment. Once my O2 saturation was around 95, they discharged me and I left with Tamiflu, anti-emetic, cough syrup, cough pills, and prednisone steroid. They said I had influenza A. 

Back home I still felt bad. Over night I got worse. My O2 saturation (at-home finger pulse oximeter) showed O2 at 83-85. Below 95 is concerning, below 90 bad, below 85 freaking serious! Off to the emergency room (again). I felt terrible and could barely get out of car an into emergency room at hospital. They put me on oxygen, nebulizer, more blood tests, another EKG, and yet another chest x-ray, plus IV saline. Chest x-ray showed no fluids in the lungs (not pneumonia) so they kept me until my O2 stabilized around 95. It's good to breathe. 

Back home, I still felt bad. Got worse overnight, and back to hospital with O2 around 82-83. This time they did the standard chest x-ray, plus blood test, nebulizer, plus saline IV and oxygen...and a CT scan. The CT scan showed aspiration pneumonia! Very serious. Immediately checked me into the hospital and started IV antibiotics. I stayed 2 nights, the antibiotic starting working, and I was feeling better. And stronger. Finally ate some food. I lost 10+ pounds in just a few days. Three days and 2 nights in the hospital finally beat this aspiration pneumonia! Left with oral antibiotics to conclude the treatment. At home, I felt weak, but much better. Each day brought improvement. Saw my personal doctor after a few days to check on my recovery and they were happy. Lungs sounded good. I was on the road to recovery! Total weight loss was 12 pounds. Yikes. They said I would still feel tired and weak for another month. Some coughing would linger for 2 months. 

They were right! It took a long time to really recover. Started very short and slow runs and my HR shot way up. Lots of walking. My ice cream and donut diet helped me pack on the pounds. Not the healthiest, but I needed calories. After 2 months I started to feel normal. After 3 months, I was back to regular running and fun run 5Ks. This aspiration pneumonia was the worst I have ever felt in my life. Humbling. I am grateful to be healthy and back to running and racing (4+ months later). Appreciate your health. Special thanks to my wife for taking care of me--I was very grumpy. 

The Alaska cruise was a trip of a lifetime. The pneumonia afterward was a once-in-a-lifetime illness. I would do the cruise again, not the illness! 😁

Three 5Ks in Three Weeks

After a tough end to 2024 (plantar fasciitis from Oct-Dec), and a rough start to 2025 (COVID in January, bronchitis in March), I finally got in regular running in April and was ready to race in May. I knew I wasn't fully trained, but it was time to test my legs! So, I ran three 5K races in three weeks. Two of them were free timed "parkruns" and one was a real race. 

May 3: My first free Parkrun at Morrissey Park! I had heard about these weekly free 5K runs that are held around the world, especially in the UK, but never knew we had them locally. The US seems behind on these parkruns, but Champaign has a weekly 5k fun run every Saturday at 9am. Heard about this one from University of Illinois postdocs. Glad they told me because this was fun! I ran 23:35 (8/23 finishers). Happy with that result. No injuries, no return of PF. I knew I'd be back for more. 

May 10: Kirby Derby 5K. This is the second race in the Monticello Triple Crown (Allerton, Kirby Derby, Allerton). If you do all three, you get a fancy prize after the last race. Typically a nice fleece jacket or vest! After the parkrun one week earlier, I was feeling optimistic about this race. Knew it wouldn't be a PR, but I felt a solid effort was within me. I ran a 22:56 (1st age group, 14/306 overall). Felt good. Again, no injuries and no PF. I'm back!

May 17: Second Morrissey parkrun. Wasn't sure I should run 3 5Ks in a row, but what the hell! Plus, it was a free fun run. I knew the course and felt I could improve upon my first parkrun time (23:35). I finished in 23:23 (8/49 overall). Not a lot faster, but it was my "Parkrun PR." I look forward to regular Saturday runs here. Really nice people an an informal relaxed setting. Perfect for building and testing my speed. After this race, I was off on vacation to Seattle and Alaska. That trip was fantastic, until the end when I got very sick and ended up in the hospital. More on that in another blog post. 

Morrissey Park Parkrun: Free 5K Every Saturday!

I always dreamed of having free park runs all over the US like they do around much of the rest of the world. Wouldn't it be cool to have a local fun 5K race every week? Free? Well, there is one in Champaign, IL! It's the Morrissey Park parkrun. They have a 5k event every Saturday at 9am. 

Not sure why I didn't know about this run, but a postdoc at Illinois told me about it and I'm going to be a regular participant. My first parkrun will likely be on May 3--one week before the Kirby Derby 5K. It will be a good test of my speed before race day. I love the idea of evaluating my 5k speed a couple of times a month. If not running, then I can volunteer. 

These parkruns are a great way for new runners and walkers to socialize and meet new people. The setting is stress free and supportive. They do track results, but there are no registration fees or awards. Just running...or walking. Great participation event. If you live in the Champaign-Urbana Illinois area, come join the fun!

NOTE: The Morrissey parkrun has been cancelled for Saturday, April 26 since that is Illinois Marathon day! Good luck to all of those racers (5k, 10k, HM, marathon, and marathon relay). I'm skipping the event this year.