I did not have to poop during my race. I just thought I should let you know that. Was I a slower runner for this? I choose to believe that the answer to this question is yes. I believe that not having to poop during the race slowed me down by approximately 17 minutes. That was the time difference between my finish and that of the fastest female runner in my age category. It was not my lack of running experience or the fact that I am not in the best of shape that resulted in my slow time; it was the poop that may or may not have been residing in my bowel.
During the race, I slowed my running partner down substantially. She was raring to go (I choose to believe that she had taken some sort of performance enhancing narcotic prior to the race) while I was wondering what had ever inspired me to sign up for a race in the first place. The only answer I could come up with was stupidity.
After I crossed the finish line, my running partner turned to me and said, "Aren't you proud of yourself?" My answer was no. In that moment, I was not particularly proud of myself for finishing the race. I was too busy trying to make sure I did not vomit to be proud. I had made the mistake of practically inhaling a bottle of water that had been handed to me, and my stomach was staging a protest.
It was not until I walked into a diner approximately 30 minutes later, a piece of poster board in my hand with my name proudly displayed in sparkles (I had made it for myself, but my little brother made the trip down to the race location and stood there, holding my glittery sign, until I crossed the finish line). An elderly couple in the diner applauded as I entered. "Well done!" they'd exclaimed. That is when I suddenly found myself beaming with pride. My pride had nothing to do with the race itself and everything to do with the weeks leading up to the race.
What it comes down to is that I really fucking hate running; I am not sure that I will ever enjoy it. And yet, I have stuck with it. Four times a week, every week, for the last month and a half I have hauled my ass out of the front door and pounded the pavement. Every day, I have the opportunity to quit, yet I have not. And that is what I am proud of.
3 comments:
There's no shame in having to Poop.
that is impressive. I also hate running, and I do not understand how anyone can like it, or how this supposed 'runners high' thing operates, and how to get one.
Go Megan! I ran track my Senior year of H.S. and fucking hated it like you. But it made me feel a little better about myself I believe.
Happy to see you're still going on about bathroom matters & what not. Perfect post to tune back in for in my opinion.
Hope all is well! :)
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