Stinkin' September

So far, not a fan of this September! After my very motivating run on Saturday, I felt pretty great, until evening, when it started to get cloudy and humid. Then I started sneezing and my eyes began to look like I was in the throes of drug addiction. I figured it would go away after it rained on Sunday, thinking it must be allergies.

It didn't go away. It got worse. Not only were my eyes puffy and my sneezing coming more frequently--and I'd like to mention here that when I sneeze I feel as if I'm going to blow my scalp off with the force of it--but my nose began to drip. Then run. Aside from being just plain gross, it was annoying and eventually my nose became raw from all the wiping.

Yesterday I was brave and went for a run, thinking that it would help clear out all the gunk. Ha. I spent a good portion of my "run" walking, clutching my burning lungs and trying not to breathe through my very dry nasal passages. Unfortunately, it's hard to run when you try not to breathe. So I kept it short and came home, thinking I'd feel better once I held still for a bit. Not so much. It was all I could do to help the kids get PJ'd and bedded last night. I camped out on the couch with a roll of TP for my nose, some Powerade to re-hydrate and stay hydrated, a big fat book, and the remote. My head felt like it was growing larger and heavier by the second, until I found myself wishing that it would be logical to stick a needle in my forehead and cheeks and let my face drain. (I know that's really gross, but that's how I was feeling--gross!) Then I finally went to bed and talked to Phill for about an hour because I couldn't sleep while trying to get enough air through only one nostril. I woke up earlier than desired this morning because of that faulty nostril again, and couldn't go back to sleep. (Not fair.) And I'm cold, wearing a long-sleeved shirt and wrapping a blanket around my legs. (I suppose I'm acclimated, because 60 degrees felt pretty chilly this morning.)

I still don't know if I have just rip-roaring allergies or if I'm growing a sinus infection. (I had three almost back-to-back when I was 17. It was incredibly disgusting, but I developed a love for my raspy-hoarse voice and learned the value of lotion'd Kleenex.) But if it is allergies, well, September and I have a score to settle. I thought I was safe! Not pregnant, not summer, not surrounded by ragweed (at least not that I can smell/see)....what gives?