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June 28, 2004
Body Says No
Up until a year ago, I could wake at 4:45 a.m., run, go to the gym, return home, read the paper, drink my coffee, shower, and get to work by nine. Up until a month or two ago, I could run an effortless five miles—often an effortless 10 or 13.1—and go on with my day. This ease came to me regardless of sleep pattern or wax/wane of healthy diet. Seriously, kids, running has been responsible for large pieces of my sanity for several years.
Starting about year ago, I lost my ability to wake before six. Actually, I am perfectly capable of waking before six, but slapping on running shoes and hitting the pavement is next to impossible. I just cannot move myself farther than the local bodega to buy the paper. I’ve been adjusting to this, trying to get runs in after work (which is a bitch), but the past few weeks have just progressed slowly down the spiral of suck.
My body just won’t do it. Pushing myself while running hurts. It’s as if every fiber in my body is exhausted. I just don’t get it. While in Santa Fe, I ran a few times. I felt myself struggling to even complete three miles. Thinking that it was the altitude, I slogged on, eager to get home and possibly have the lower altitude work to my advantage. Sadly, my past two runs since returning have yielded the same result—a heavy, molasses-like run that seems to take hours, and a body that hates me more than anything on this earth.
What gives? Is this a quarter-life crisis-aging thing? Good god I hope not, for if it is, I’m sliding down the crapper faster than the speed of light.
Posted by callalillie at June 28, 2004 11:59 PM | Mental Health , Running
I think it is more your head than your body. Different priorities in your life may have placed running further back than it once was. You also laid off running for a while over the winter. Stick with it - it will get easier and more enjoyable.
Posted by: bobtrancho at June 29, 2004 7:04 AM
Sheesh, I hope so, because right now my body feels like it's going to shrivel up and die.
Posted by: corie at June 29, 2004 7:56 AM
I think it is way more than that. I ran yesterday for the first time in over a month, and really only a handful of times since I have been in DC. I miss you. I miss our running, the tales of the run, the brunches, the races, the tee shirts, the picking up of the tee shirts, the entire process. It was something we shared, enjoyed, etc. I miss all of that. So my running is awful. I thought I would die. My time was terrible, my stamina , yet again, terrible. But through it all, my mantra running (which was actually a run/walk) was at least you are doing this now. I can't go back. So I focus on what is ahead, get back on the treadmill, and try to get back the form, the love of running, and my amazingly fond memories of running with plotsie (calla).
Posted by: skutchie at June 29, 2004 5:15 PM
Hmm. Perhaps running shorts made of pork chops and a working knowledge of stray dog hangouts? ;)
Posted by: matt at June 29, 2004 7:31 PM
I miss running with you too, Skutch. I definitely can't motivate myself to schlepp upt o Central Park at 8am anymore without you. In terms of running here-- it's my body-- it's just exhausted. I'm hoping I'll just snap out of it soon.
Hee hee. Prok chop running shorts. I just tried to picture Skutchie wearing them...but all I saw was some cute gay boy in short short running in front of us and Skutch drooling and running as fast as he could behind...
Posted by: corie at June 29, 2004 7:58 PM
