Addict

I've known this for a long time, but I am addicted to running.

I had a nasty cough last week and into this week, and although I ran at the very beginning of it (in denial, you might say!), I had not run at all for 10 days. The cough and the wheeze got so bad that I actually went to the doctor and got drugs, which I try to reserve for the truly nasty stuff.

Through all of this coughing and not running business, my in-laws were here for a week, I had TWO job interviews, got turned down for one, threw a wedding shower for my sister-in-law, had houseguests again, and yesterday said goodbye to my partner as he went out of town, out of reach at a retreat, for three days.

I was a screaming cranky banshee for several days. I was tired, I was whiny, I was WAY impatient with my kids. And then today, during Sesame Street (O let its name be praised!) I got on the treadmill and ran for 30 minutes. And I am a new being, and I am patient and kind and did not lose my shit while doing errands, and although I am still wheezy I am going to get up and do it again tomorrow.

I think this is because a few weeks ago (see a few posts below) I had sort of ramped up my running...I was running 20 miles a week and doing it at a faster pace than I had before. And I felt SO SO SO good.

So I swear it was withdrawal these past 10 days! And that my main way of dealing with stress is to just pound it out on the sidewalk.