Running: the Addictive Ugly Truth

Before today, I hadn't run in a week because my kids kindly shared their colds with me.  Coughing and running just don't get along so I sidelined myself until I could walk up the stairs without hacking.  Meanwhile, my training partner ran the Dallas Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on Sunday.  I sat at home awaiting updates, wishing I could run too, but even 1 mile would have been too much.

That got me thinking.  The last time I ran, my calves burned like I was literally giving birth again, but in all the wrong places.  Why do I miss this so much?  What exactly is the appeal and why am I aching to get back out there, pronto?

Marathon training has brought on a whole host of discomforts that I rarely experienced while running sub 13 miles.  And while all these ailments are hilariously painful or embarrassing, I miss them desperately...

1. Mangled Calves. Each week I think, oh man I can't do this.  "26.2 may be more than I can chew!" But then I complete the distance and change my running mantra to something more encouraging, "26.2 I'll get you!"  However, the instant I finished my 17 miler, my calves reared up in such tremendous pain my mantra screamed, "26.2 I freaking HATE you!" Stretching didn't work, walking didn't work.  It just hurt.  Monica, my faithful running buddy, informs me, "We need salt.  Next time, I will bring some salt packets and the pain will vanish instantly!"
2. Salt packets.  As if contracting pain in your calves isn't enough, a dedicated runner who wants to look like a real athelete and not a drunk person, who was thrown off of the electric bull at the local sports bar, has to eat a tablespoon of pure salt granules to stop writhing in pain.  Gross.
3. Peeing.  Port-a-potties are never conveniently located.  I've read that's why some girls wear running skirts as it provides instant privacy, but I know I would fail miserably and be left wearing my pee for 10 miles. 
4. Gu.  It tastes like flavored mucous.  I have yet to find a flavor I can take down in one or two solid gulps. 
5. Running Drunk.  Somewhere between miles 12-20, I loose the ability to think/walk straight.  It doesn't happen every time but the crooked walking gait, combined with slow processing speed are a dead give-away!
6. Exhaustion.  A couple of weekends ago, I ran 15 miles.  Exactly 45 minutes later I found myself in a Chuck E. Cheese's kids restaurant surrounded by bad pizza and screaming kids.  No distance produces enough endorphins to handle that. 
7. Running Knees. This is a new one for me.  I'm a relatively injury free runner.  But for a week, I joined the injured roster.  Walking down stairs was excruciating and I could only think, "Heal you stupid knees!  I need to run 8 tomorrow!"
8. Snot. Enough said.
9. Nasty feet.  I would love a pedicure, but I don't want to embarrass myself.  The bottoms of my feet are not pretty.  
10. Salt Face. After a long run, all the salt in my body somehow ends up on my face.  When I am done running, I wipe the sweat from my cheeks to be greeted with billions of fine salt granules.  
11. Chafing Anywhere. Thank goodness for Body Glide because there is nothing like showering after a long run and instantly discovering all the chaffed spots on my feet, back, chest, or legs with fire water!

After all that happy reminiscing, why am I giddy to run 18 miles this Saturday?  Running is a drug.  And ladies and gentlemen, I am addicted.  While some miles admittedly hurt, most miles I find myself grinning like a dog, lips flapping in the wind.

Marathon Training Miles 12-17

Amidst training for the Colfax Marathon, my husband and I decided to sell our house and move a whopping 2.1 miles away.  When we started this process, I thought it was great timing.  "Running would provide a release from all the stress and keep me centered."  Sure.  When I made that comment I had only reached 12 miles in my training regimen and things were going extremely well.

Keeping a clean house, caring for 2 very rambunctious boys, and running over 30 miles per week has provided a new lifestyle that I would call anything but stress free.  During our 13 mile run, I told my running partner, that I wasn't motivated to run anymore.  It wasn't that I didn't enjoy running, I just didn't think I could make the time.  The house wasn't selling and everyone seemed to be working against me in keeping it clean.  I was exhausted and running on fumes.

However, a week later Monica and I escaped our kids once more and ran a very hilly 14 miles.  I'd never run that far before and it felt like such an accomplishment.  Not only did I complete a new distance, but I ran the first 13.1 miles faster than I'd run it 6 times before.  Maybe this stress was the fuel I needed to center my training.

Since then, I haven't struggled lacing up my shoes.  It feels good to get out of the house.  We are under contract to sell our first house and are scheduled to move into our new home in less than 3 weeks.  My house is over 2/3s packed; an empty shell awaiting a new family.  It doesn't feel like ours any more and I am ready to move on. 

A week ago, we ran 17 miles.  Monica and I began at Chatfield Reservoir and ran the entire Platte River Trail to North Downtown Denver.  My mom was in town, so she and my husband drove to Denver with my boys and surprised us at mile 15.  I've worried throughout training for Colfax that I am putting my family aside too much on the weekends and early mornings.  It is a demanding schedule and my kids often ask, "Why do you have to run every morning?"  Seeing my family encourage my training confirmed this isn't only my goal.  Ethan ran with us for a hundred meters and his smile radiated pride.  Secondly, I am sure I am much more pleasant when I run.  Each weekend I get to spend 2-3 hours with a good friend talking, planning, and well, bitching.  We get it out of our system and return to our families better women.

Immediately after completing 18 miles.

The weekend I move, I will run 20 miles.  It is going to be a stretch, having the energy to make this work.  But I have found when you have strong priorities in life, you make it work.