Why did I get sick? Because it feels so good when it goes away.

A couple of weeks ago a gray illness descended upon me, forcing me to the couch and hours of daytime television watching.

I knew I was sick, because normally I would relished such an opportunity. But the headaches, nausea, sore throat and the general malaise took the fun out of it. This particular bug wasn't particularly intense, but it's taken me a long time to feel well again. That meant that running, skiing or any sort of activity was put on a back burner for a while.

That, in turn, has meant higher anxiety and stress levels, a minor weight gain and a general lethargic view of life.

When I get caught in this cycle of physical and psychical ennui, I begin to believe that it will last forever, and perhaps there is something seriously wrong with my brain or body. Do I have lupus? Fibromyalgia? Some kind of cancer? A symptom of some serious mental illness or a deep depression?

It doesn't help that Kris is constantly watching those reality medical shows such as "Mystery Diagnosis." The storyline of these shows usually begin with something small -- a toothache, for example -- that balloons into a health problem that consumes a person for years.

But this isn't about that. This is about the aftermath, that feeling of recovery that begins with that sweet burst of energy and well-being. Usually my first run after an illness does not go well. The desperation for breath comes early in that run, accompanied by a deep sort of ache. That lasts for maybe 20 minutes, and then it seems to ease, and the steps get lighter.

There are all kinds of cliches that describe this feeling. A curtain lifting, a fog diminishing, the emerging from a tunnel. Suddenly, I'm good again, and that particular rush makes getting sick almost worth it.

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P.S. -- This is the second installment in "The Great Blog Throwdown" between my nephew Mark and me. I believe we need to include Luke in this, as well. The throwdown is part competition, part external inspiration, and it seems to be working. Check out Mark's blog at http://penelopesa.livejournal.com/. Luke's can be found at http://frubert.livejournal.com/.
I should point out that at this point, I am winning the blog throwdown, two posts to one for Mark, and none for Luke. Although Luke technically isn't an official competitor at this point, so he should get some slack, for now. Get on it guys.