The 5 Things No-body told me about Running...

For those of you who followed my previous blogs Diary of a Non-Runner you will remember that I am not/was not a runner before all of this started.

Since January 2012 I've been running on average 3 days per week; and I'm enjoying myself.  After my first race in March of 2012 I've done several more races; I can't believe it myself really.  My next big race is a half-marathon coming up in September 2012 and frankly I'm freaking out a bit.

I guess one could say I'm officially a runner now, although I still have a lot of work to do to get to where I want to be, but I'm running and racing none-the-less.

When I started out on this journey I kinda hated it to be true, but now I kinda don't.

I enjoyed blogging about my adventures in running, and thought I would start again while I train for 21.5km of hills... I've officially joined the crazy crowd.

There are a few things however that runners do not share with you before you start running; it's like they want to suck you into their cult first and then tell you once you're hooked..so I thought I'd share a few that came to mind.

-1- Feet/Toes - Alright, so I've prided myself in being somewhat of a girly-girl for most of my adult life.  I like it, especially the pedicure part of being a girly-girl.  The thing is though is that once you become a runner no amount of pedicure (sandpapering) can help you out.  My feet are blistered and red..and my toe nails are gross (I quite hate sharing this but must).  I do not have black toe nails like some of my running friends, and I have not yet contemplated permanently removing a couple toe nails (this is a true fricken story from a female running friend of mine....!!!!).. but still..they are not pretty... and well I'm going to have to increase my purchase of Epsom salts just to help these things look good..I mean seriously.

NOT my feet...and NOT gonna be if I can help it

-2- Shoes - Being a girly-girl I also like heels.  Heels are fun and fashionable right?  Yes, I know they are.... in fact they are fabulous.  I have tons of them; black ones, red ones and even green ones..... alas I no longer wear any of them.  Flats is where it's at I'm afraid...if I don't wear flats everyday I get shin splints when I'm running.. booo...  Do you know how incredibly hard it is it find awesome flats in a high-heeled world?? Terribly frustrating really..

BORing.... but I'll deal with it

-3- Shopping - Ok, I'm still on the girly theme I realize this, but it was/is a big part of who I am... instead of dreaming about Manolo's and Yves St.Laurent which I still do..but less... I spend hours in fitness stores looking for the perfect running outfit or running shoes.  Even worse I don't care if these things match!  I look for things that are comfy to run in and breathable... I wear big clunky running shoes (which I wouldn't be caught dead in..and still won't if I'm not running).. AND folks I bought a freaking FANNY PACK!! This is the truth I swear!  Even better I bought it from Wal-Mart... (I'm really going down hill here)... I should also mention that skinny jean lovers may have to give up their addiction to these sexy svelte things because eventually you can't get your calves inside a pair!

I kinda hope so...I hate not being cool..

-4- Addiction - I'm not talking about smoking, drinking, gambling or shopping..I'm talking about running!  Yes.. I had to take some time off recently as I was having a few hip/knee issues and I thought I was going to hang myself.  If I don't run at least 3 days per week I feel like a bloated, lazy, and tired slob.  I get pissed off and edgy... I need to get out there and get rid of my pent up energy and stress...it's addicting!  You don't believe me?  Read my prior blogs... I started this running thing with feelings of hate and contempt... and this Running addiction still happened!  This is only a part of the addiction... the other part is when you race or have a race coming up and you just have to/must beat your time or else...   I mean it's serious.  Leading up to the first race I ever did I didn't understand this...milliseconds after crossing that first finish line I understood it loud and clear.  Every race for me is an opportunity for me to beat my Personal Best (or PB not Peanut Butter)...sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't.  When it doesn't ... watch out.

-5- Eating - First (and I know this does not apply to everyone) but running has not made me lose weight.  Ok, I don't have a ton of weight to lose BUT it hasn't helped me regardless... (however I do now have these things called muscles which is weird)... Often after a race (not every run..just the race) I will treat myself to DQ..I just think I deserve it so there!  I have to keep in mind though that just because I'm burning 800 calories I can't eat 800 calories if I want to lose weight... a mistake I think a few non-runners turned runners make... but that's not all I have to say about eating... What I didn't know is that if you eat certain foods before you run you run the risk of (a) heart burn for the entire duration (b) puking (c) crapping your pants..  this is also for real...seriously.  I have not experienced B or C personally yet, but did just recently run past a woman in my last 10k who did.. ( C if you're wondering)....

OR..cross your fingers and hope for lots of these babies...

There you have it.  Now you can never say that no-body told you... it's all here in black and white.. no surprises!  Happy Running! :)