A Beginning Runner: The Downfall
The other night, I slugged* into my house and collapsed onto the living room couch. My grump levels were rising rapidly as I flipped through the endlessly boring T.V. stations.
“W-w-what’s wrong?” my boyfriend dared to ask.
“Bah! I’m in a bad mood. Gah! Bah! Ah!”
“Did you…umm…did you run this morning?” he whispered.
“NOO I DIDN’T RUN THIS MORNING!!!” I said, as nicely as possible.
And that’s when I realized a) television has gone to crap b) I have a far too understanding boyfriend and c) running affects my mood.
Really.
Yesterday, I slept in instead of running. Throughout the day, I ate both ice-cream and chips. So as you can see,
I am not a perfect runner.
I make mistakes…like sleeping in and eating ice-cream. This difference was this time, I was not going to let a “mistake” slip me up for good.
And so I went running. My belly full of chocolate fudge ice-cream and fake cheesy chips, I made the lap around our neighborhood.
I came back feeling both sick and uplifted. But the point is I did it. Why? Because:
Running makes me happy
Eating bad food–while it may feel good at the time–doesn’t make me happy. Taking care of my body, on the other hand, makes me really really happy.
*Slugged: A word meaning “to move like a slug.” Opposite of “jogged.” Pretty sure I made it up…
10 comments ↓
I have to confess to downing a few sodas and some ice cream in the last 10 days, gaining back 1-2 pounds. Aargh! So, you’re not alone.
Running definitely affects my mood. Long runs leave me euphoric (worth a blog post sometime), but sometimes the day after it’s like I’m in running withdrawal.
Right on. This is very true for me. Running makes me happy as well, and I experience this after every run. If I’m not running, I’m just not where I should be in my head.
Amen!
I completely understand this. It’s the only way I’ve gotten my weight under control. Really, I hate feeling like crap when I run, and eating ice cream makes me feel sick!! I just commented on this over at Runner’s Movement Blog. Same thing. It took me awhile to figure out the connection, but it works.
Good for you for running anyway!
I know what you mean - days I can’t get my run in, it’s not pretty for those around me. And we all make those ice-cream mistakes -it’s all a process so hang in there!
Hey I just found your blog, it’s good stuff!
Not only does running affect my mood but I am so much more exhausted if I sit around all day and do nothing vs the days I get off my butt and move!
Way to get there - ice cream belly and all! I know just how you feel; days I skip a run or morning workout, that ass starts dragging a whole lot sooner!
How goes the morning running?
You’ve been tagged.
Are you still living? It’s been a bit quiet…
I often have the urge to splurge on ice cream. This a family weakness, ever since I was little ice cream was the family choice for desert, that along with peanut m&m’s, the sound of my dad pouring the whole bag into a bowl and setting them on the table. They would be passed around and gone in no time. As an adult I find it very hard to not do the same thing. Urrrrrr. I really like that stuff but boy does it mess up my plans for running a marathon.
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