Running, or: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Relay
Something strange is going on with my running this year. It feels good.
Not the actual running part; the physical act of running is still full-on pain - I've got asthma, one ruined ankle with no remaining ligaments, two toes basically broken by arthritis, and horribly annoying recurring tendinitis in my ankles and knees: and you expect running to feel good? HA. TROLOLOLOL, says my body. No, the act of running itself still hurts like it always has.
(So why have I been a runner for so long if I hate it? A combination of factors: a) running is a good workout; b) I like racing with my friends; and most significantly c) the deep underlying fear of my medical family history and not being in control of my body as I age, which is my number one motivator for any and all of the exercising I do.)
But for the first time, I'm coming back from runs, and I actually feel good. I feel better than I did going out on the run. I don't think it's a direct endorphin rush - it's not quite as dramatic or overwhelming as most people describe the "runner's high" - it's more comfortable, more subtle. I don't know what it is. But post-run actually feels good on my body now.
It's a little ridiculous that this is the first time this has happened since I started running again more than 5 years ago.
I don't know why: between injuries, travel, alcohol, and laziness I'm probably in the worst shape this year that I've been in 5 years or so. So maybe it's just that I've (finally) learned how to run, or learned how to train. Maybe it's a combination of the minimalist shoes and my crosstraining that makes everything feel better. Maybe it's the fact that my body chemistry seems to be reversing itself. I don't know. But I don't mind it.
Also a new thing this year: my penchant for purchasing the brightest and most obnoxious horridly lurid neon sports bras that I can find is proving to be a horrible life choice. It's been so godsbefucked hot outside, and since I'm running harder I'm sweating more, and apparently even after several washings if you sweat enough you end up with bright pink or bright blue bosoms? I don't know. Because I wasn't classy enough already?
This entry was originally posted at http://seventhe.dreamwidth.org/323204.html, which has
comments. Comment there (with OpenID) or here, it's all good.
Not the actual running part; the physical act of running is still full-on pain - I've got asthma, one ruined ankle with no remaining ligaments, two toes basically broken by arthritis, and horribly annoying recurring tendinitis in my ankles and knees: and you expect running to feel good? HA. TROLOLOLOL, says my body. No, the act of running itself still hurts like it always has.
(So why have I been a runner for so long if I hate it? A combination of factors: a) running is a good workout; b) I like racing with my friends; and most significantly c) the deep underlying fear of my medical family history and not being in control of my body as I age, which is my number one motivator for any and all of the exercising I do.)
But for the first time, I'm coming back from runs, and I actually feel good. I feel better than I did going out on the run. I don't think it's a direct endorphin rush - it's not quite as dramatic or overwhelming as most people describe the "runner's high" - it's more comfortable, more subtle. I don't know what it is. But post-run actually feels good on my body now.
It's a little ridiculous that this is the first time this has happened since I started running again more than 5 years ago.
I don't know why: between injuries, travel, alcohol, and laziness I'm probably in the worst shape this year that I've been in 5 years or so. So maybe it's just that I've (finally) learned how to run, or learned how to train. Maybe it's a combination of the minimalist shoes and my crosstraining that makes everything feel better. Maybe it's the fact that my body chemistry seems to be reversing itself. I don't know. But I don't mind it.
Also a new thing this year: my penchant for purchasing the brightest and most obnoxious horridly lurid neon sports bras that I can find is proving to be a horrible life choice. It's been so godsbefucked hot outside, and since I'm running harder I'm sweating more, and apparently even after several washings if you sweat enough you end up with bright pink or bright blue bosoms? I don't know. Because I wasn't classy enough already?
This entry was originally posted at http://seventhe.dreamwidth.org/323204.html, which has
comments. Comment there (with OpenID) or here, it's all good.