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Blustery Tears

I am very proud of myself for the effort I put in to bike as many places as possible. But today, with winds zipping, temps in the 30s and me speeding down hills at 26 MPH, I’m finding biking to be excruciatingly painful!

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My body is nice and warm, but within seconds of setting out, my entire face freezes. I have tears streaming down my face and freezing into little icy pathways. My nose starts dripping so much I have to breathe through my mouth, but with that tucked into my turtleneck jacket, it’s hard to do. I’ve started wearing sunglasses, but they don’t seem to help.

I suppose I need one of those full-face ski masks that they wear on E.T. And ski goggles. But then I’d look pretty silly, wouldn’t I!?

Guess I’ll give it some more trials before I decide what to do.

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I split my workout in the warmth of the gym between the elliptical and the Stairmaster and wrapped up with 15, 10, 8 sets of push-ups. I am getting stronger!

For lunch today we went out with Karen to get some Christmas presents at Beer Run, AND, Matt’s friend Conor stopped through on his way home – perfect timing!

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I decided against beer with lunch, but once I hear the Pumking was on tap, I peer pressured Matt to get a small one. It was an easy task.

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And my one two three tastes were delicious!

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For lunch Karen and I split the Turkey Trot sandwich

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[Turkey, bacon, havarti, cranberry-walnut sauce + romaine on focaccia]

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My sandwich came with this sexy pickle

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Plus a simple side salad

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Matt and I have a horrible appointment this afternoon: flu shots. I hate needles SO MUCH. Why-oh-why in 2010 do we still administer needles into the flesh? Just seems so cruel to me. We got a 20 minute lecture by our trio of parents at Thanksgiving Dinner about the horrors of the flu and why we need the shots. Guess they were a little homesick for parenting : )

Once we get home – we have back-2-back conference calls for the bakery, so it’s a reverse workday for us.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. I hear you! I got my flu shot a couple of weeks ago. I had been putting it off, until I couldn’t put it off any longer. I work with kids, and I have a terrible fear of the flu. (I had the WORST respiratory flu about 7 years ago, and NEVER want to get it again).

    Good luck! It’s not *that* bad. 🙂

    ~

    Reply

  5. I am totally one of those people who would rather catch the flu organically than having a flu shot, especially considering how many people actually get sick after the shot! Not to mention the other additives in the shot. I’m not a huge conspiracy theorist, but the whole connection between vaccines and autism freaks me out! O.o

    Reply

    • You may not BE a huge conspiracy theorist, but you sure sound like one. There’s no documented connection between vaccines and autism and perpetuating that myth in a public forum is irresponsible.

      And get the flu shot or FluMist or don’t. No one really cares. Healthy young people probably aren’t going to die from the flu anyway, just the really old and the really young. And the chances of you passing on the flu to someone really old or really young who will die from flu is SUPER remote, and even if you do, it will probably be someone you don’t know.

      Reply

    • This kind of ridiculous thinking is why the flu spreads and why people die from the flu. YOU may not care if you get the flu, but the elderly or immuno-compromised people that you pass it along to WILL care. Also, the autism-vaccine link is a complete myth stemming from ill-informed celebrities and internet rumours. You sound kind of clueless – sort of like a holistic nutritionist or a naturopath.

      Reply

    • I have never gotten a flu shot, and I probably never will. You certainly aren’t alone. They simply guess which flu will be the biggie of the year, so you could get sick just as easily with one as without.

      Reply

  12. I’ve been experiencing the same thing with riding my bike…well, it’s not quite that cold in Texas, but I understand the freezing face and tears streaming down my cheeks. And I tuck my long-sleeves into gloves so the wind doesn’t blow up to chill my arms. Let us know if you come up with any tricks – I think a full ski mask would be pretty awesome. Hahaha.

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  15. Haha, I am with you on shots. The nurse has to talk me down every time, like a small child. Needless to say, I only get the mandatory shots. I’ll take the flu over the shot any day! (assuming it’s not fatal, of course. Which is what I choose to assume).

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  16. If you get a good nurse who knows what she’s doing, the injection’s not bad at all. You might not even feel it — I didn’t. Now my hangup is the opposite: the blood withdrawal needle. That does freak me out!

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  17. My husband & I are split on the flu shot. He always gets a shot and always ends up with the flu. He was down all last week with it and is finally feeling better today. I never get the flu shot and so far so good (knocking on wood of course) I’ve yet to get the flu.

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  18. I worked as a flight attendant out of Chicago for five years and never had got the flu shot nor did I ever get the flu and there were tons of sick people who flew. I say skip the shot…

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  20. That beer was a beautiful color. Sounds like a good day so far. I am so with you on the cold. I just can’t do it. My husband and I have started doing the Insanity workouts some within our walking because it is bitterly cold out.

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  21. I have mixed feelings about flu shots, not so much because of the needles, but because I feel like I shouldn’t toy with my immune system. Whenever I get sick, I’ve usually been bad enough to deserve it (no sleep, eating poorly, dehydrated.) I would hate to get sick from the shot alone!

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  22. I love Beer Run! And Pumking is so delicious. Great choice! I can’t wait to get back to Beer Run in the future.

    I have never gotten a flu shot and don’t intend to unless I’m working with very at-risk clients. I have a really strong immune system and have never been sick with the flu or otherwise for more than 2-3 days, so I’ll take my chances.

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  24. Haha, don’t hate the facemask! I wear it jogging here in Canada in -20 and it saves my life. I don’t care what I look like mainly because no one can recognize me.. and I feel like a ninja!

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  25. Flu shots are developed up to a year before being administered. Not only are you unlikely to be infected with the particluar type that you’re being vaccinated against, but the viruses also have time to change throughout that year of time and the vaccine would be ineffective anyway. Does anyone know of any peer-reviewed medical articles that _statistically prove_ that flu shots reduce illness or death? Just curious. As far as I can tell, there is no proven reason to get the shot. Wash your hands often and take care of yourself.

    Reply

  29. I always get a flu shot. I consider it a civic duty. Anecdotes about people getting sick from them is just that… anecdotal evidence!

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  34. surprised you and tina are advocating flu shots! with all the controversy surrounding them, i would think you guys would do more research and definitely be against them.

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    • I don’t understand this comment. As a pharmacist, I have certainly done the research and wholeheartedly advocate (and administer) the vaccine to my patients. All of the doctors I work with also advocate the vaccine. What are you implying about medical professionals who are not against the flu vaccine?

      Reply

  37. Cold wind is a bummer when you’re biking. I was wearing a windproof balalava while sailing yesterday (it was SO cold!) and that helped. When my face gets all frozen I can’t talk right so I just tried to turn my back to the wind as much as possible.
    Go for the E.T. look.

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  38. I can’t imagine biking when it’s this cold, you are hardcore!!!
    My Dad always lectured me on getting flu shots, but I’ve never had one.

    Jen

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  40. I wouldnt get those shots if I were you. Have you looked up what is actually in them?
    We have been getting a TON of patients who got really REALLY sick for weeks from flu shots. You may not have any effects, but having all that garbage in you is not good!

    Reply

    • The flu shot DOES NOT cause people to get “really really sick for weeks.” The “ton” of individuals you are referring to may have gotten a non-influenza illness, or may have gotten the flu before the vaccine had taken effect. The flu shot does not make you really sick. Side effects such as fever, muscle pain, and weakness have been reported, but these typically last 1-2 days at the most.

      Reply

  42. That flavor combination for that sandwich sounds absolutely incredible.

    And that pickle was most definitely a particularly sexy one 😀

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  43. I’m with you on the hating needles, Kath. I used to NOT be a proponent of the flu shot, however, I got the flu one year and it was the sickest I have ever felt in my whole life. And I’m old and have had lots of sickness 😉 It took me a good MONTH to get over it. I have gotten the flu shot every year since. I’m a total chicken and I usually make a big scene in the pharmacy – yelping and cringing and tearing up. So much so that my husband brings the video cam every year now and tapes it for our family to see. They love to make fun of me 🙂

    Reply

  46. Face mask works great. I wear one when it gets below about 25 when I go out running.

    Not a fan of the flu shots for healthy people. Just things I’ve read and more now I think it’s a money maker. Just sayin. I’m 52 never had a shot and never had the flu.

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  48. Good luck with your shot 🙁
    I’m particularly not a fan of the flu shot but I completely understand why people get it. Fortunately I’ve never gotten the flu, or the flu shot, so here’s to another (I hope!) flu-less season!

    Reply

  49. Being a young woman, I never get a flu shot. I feel as though it’s something that should be saved for the very young and the very old. I have never had the flu and the one time I got a flu shot, which was strongly pushed by my doctor, I had a reaction and spent the night being incredibly ill. But I understand your wanting to get it.

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  50. Good luck with the shot! I’ve only ever gotten it once, because I was working around young children. It was for them AND me!
    I know I need to get one again this year, but I am waiting to get it from Target.. supposedly its dirt cheap there. I don’t always get it, but I am in school this year and want to protect myself from any more illnesses!
    During the two years btwn Undergrad and Grad school, I got sick maybe once. This year being around more people has caused me to get sick more.
    I always just take it situation by situation – last year I got laid off during the flu season, so I skipped it.

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  54. I’m so mad I didn’t get to go to Beer Run when I was in C’ville.. That sandwich and ale look so good I can’t stand it. I like the sexy pickle.

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  55. Got to get that flu shot, the flu is potentially dangerous. My dad ended up with pneumonia and was hospitalized for days after getting the flu.

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  57. I’ve gotten the flu shot on and off over the last 6 years. I’ve never had the flu my entire life and I haven’t had any ill effects from the shot. I only got it this year because I’m volunteering in an elementary school and figured it was a good idea.

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  58. Gosh Im having the same problems with the cold here! Im a runner and I run early so it is freezing! If you find a decent looking face coverup let me know haha

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  61. I wear contacts and have a heck of a time going downhill with the tear factor in the cold. I bought changeable lens sunglasses so if it is grey outside I use a different lense. It might work for you. As for the flu shot, I swear by them. I spend so much time on planes for my work(150,000 miles a year) that when I get the flu its not as bad. 1 day as opposed to 3-4 days Although ask me in a day or so because I just got off a plane in Brazil and caught something.
    🙂

    Reply

  62. Speaking of biking, pass on my many thanks to Matt. A few months back he recommended the Trek 7.3 FX to me (same as yours Kath?). I just got one and it is aaawesome. Great advice bud! Of course it’ll be a few months before I really push it to it’s limits, darn snot-freezing cold. =P

    Reply

  63. I am having the same issue with biking. I think a face mask would definitely be helpful. Otherwise, I try to take it kind of slow. If you are moving slower, the wind is less harsh. Good luck!

    Reply

  64. I have no idea how you are surviving in this cold. I would rather chew off my arm then ride my bike outside right now. Brave Brave girl!

    Sounds like a great day out and congrats on the flu shot! Did you at least get a Lollie pop for the pain?

    Reply

  66. Ugh, not the flu shot!

    I seriously have a problem with flu shots and never get them. I believe that our immune systems do much better without excessive vaccines and also flu shots can be noneffective if you get a strain that is not covered by the vaccine.

    All around I’m just not in to them.

    And needles DO suck!

    Reply

  70. How serendipitious! My eyes were crying throughout my run yesterday, and I also got my flu shot today, and my arm still hurts. 🙁 I didn’t get it last year and caught penumonia so who knows, it might help.
    Also, I cracked open the giant Pumking that I was saving circa Halloween (and forgot) in the fridge. EEm, yum. It is soooo buttery and yummy. Now if I can just ignore the candy I unearthed. PS: Dinner looks delish!

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  71. Two things I love:
    1. Sexy pickle…I once photographed a “sexy” can of cooking spray!

    2. Your last picture! Great pose!

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  72. Not to brag, okay, I’m bragging, but the University I work at arranged for Flu Shots and they had two options: the traditional needle and the SUPER COOL SPACE AGE “PharmaJet’s high-velocity liquid stream.” It didn’t hurt at all and I didn’t even have a red mark on my arm. Its definitely going to become more and more common and at least in Kentucky, Kroger’s “Little Clinic” offers them at the same price as a traditional flu shot. Anyway, take it from another baby on the needle front, this new shot technology will make your future flu-shot gettin’ life much easier.

    Reply

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