Racing to Bronchitis

      I haven't submitted an entry in a couple of weeks due to a brief illness.  It all started after I participated in The Great Human Race down here in Durham.  The race was sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Durham and is a fundraiser for various not-for-profit organizations in the community.  A group from Nan's work (The Thompson Writing Program of Duke) decided to enter a team and asked if I wanted to run.  It sounded like a good idea, so I signed-on.
     The week prior to the run had been quite warm, but a cold front went through just before the race and dropped the temperatures by 20 degrees. Over 600 runners took part and it was a good race.  They used a new type of timing chip(well new to me anyway) that activates when you cross the starting line.  It is actually on the number bib you wear.  Anyway, my chip time was 29:05, putting me in 6th place in my age group (right in the middle).  My teammate Sarah Hallenbeck finished 2nd overall and our team was third.   The race itself raised over $203,000.00, so regardless of your time you had to feel pretty good about participating. I stood around in my sweaty race togs waiting for the awards (not for me-for Sarah) and "took a chill", so to speak.  By the time I got home my throat was sore and a cold had set in.
    I self-medicated for the first couple of days, but the head cold moved into my lungs and I decided seeking medical treatment was a better idea. After reviewing my symptoms, the doctor ordered a chest X-Ray.  It is amazing how medical technology has advanced.  The X-Ray images are now produced digitally on the computer.  The doctor comes into the examining room, hits a button, and there are the images.  At the same time we're looking at them, a radiologist at the hospital, which is 10 miles away, is reviewing them as well.  The report ends up on-line in your on-line medical file which you can access and review at any time.  All this high-tech and I still was on antibiotics for a week.   I spent most of time time at home sleeping, with only an occasional stroll out in the beautiful Spring weather.
     One interesting occurrence during my recovery period had to do with Nan getting to do a voice-over promoting a friends book.  Go to http://www.ajmm.net/AJMayhew/ and listen.