The Ugly Side of Running...

Running is good for you. It is good for you physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Atleast that is what I have found to be true. But one of the benefits of running is it exposes the junk that might be in your life. Let me explain.

Last thursday I went for a 4 mile run. My goal was to do the run in under 30 minutes. For the first 2 miles I pushed myself, and I hit the 2 mile mark at 15:00 minutes. I was in good shape, considering my first mile included a 1/2 mile warm up. Mile 3 started off great. I was gaining speed, and I thought I would have no problem getting home in under 30 minutes, but then something happened... First there were the gurgling noises. Next came the increased pressure in my stomach. The gurgling noises got louder, and the pressure in my stomach increased, and finally I had to stop. My dream of a great run went down the drain, and left me dreaming of something completely different - a bathroom. I had eaten something the night before that was wreaking havoc on my body. As I struggled to get home, I tried to remember what I had eaten that might have caused this aweful reaction. Was it the 1/2 pound rice and bean burrito from Taco Bell? The BLT sandwich I had for lunch on Wednesday? Or the dried apricots I had for snacks throughout the day. Who knows? All I know is that I was in pain, and needed to get home fast, without having an accident!

I got home in 30:48 for my 4 mile run. Not bad considering I ran the last mile with the feeling that I might explode at any minute. I ran upstairs and within seconds I was feeling better.

What made me feel like this? What "junk" did I eat that made my body feel like trash? Whatever it was it affected my body in a negative way.

This led to a deep thought - the only one I had that day. Do I have any other junk in my life that is affecting my life in a negative way? Are there things in my life that are preventing me from experiencing life to the fullest? Just some thoughts. Until next time, happy trails!