May 27, 2008

i am having an affair

i ran again today. shocking, but true.

i know there are a few loyal readers like betsy and robin who think i have abandoned running altogether. and i know nancy thinks i have left the building. sometimes i wonder the same, my dear, faithful readers and blogfriends. believe me, there have been many a day where i wondered if i'd be one of those runners-turned-cyclists who never once look back at running in that see-ya, it was nice knowing you, i'm so over you way.

i remember lying in bed the night i hit the registration button for my first bike race, the adrenaline still pumping from hitting a simple little computer key. i told my husband i felt like i was cheating on running. he said i wasn't cheating, it was just going to be a one night stand. trouble is, the one night stand has turned into a full blown shameless affair. and it feels so gooooood.

it is completely in my nature to go off half cocked over one thing. to obsess. to soak up every single thing i can about one thing. i'm all or nothing. my body and mind needed something else desperately and they found it on the bike. i dropped running like a bad habit. that said, i realize the importance of cross training. um, cause all the cycling books that are piled up next to my bed that i am devouring say so. and there's a bunch of other damn blog posts talking about the importance of cross-training, dammit.

so, me and running are trying to get back together. just for the cross training. i'm not sure we really like each other right now, but we're working through it. and we totally get that the whole cross-training thing is important. (i am also mildly amused by my annoyance over the fact that a run will take away from my bike time, there was a time not so long ago that i hated my bike when i was on it cause it meant i wasn't running - funny how times change). but i do think we need to keep taking our running rendezvous' off road because i feel like me and running can just fly in the trails. as soon as we hit the road, we come to a crushing, walking halt until we find another trail where we can fly again. in the trails we can forget old times, old pr's. there are no paces to match or meet. the trails are all new. no comparisons. we're just running. and that's about it. i'm just running. more to remind my muscles and bones what its' like than anything else; because while me and running are getting reacquainted in the trails; i fully plan to carry on this shameless, torrid affair with my bike.

does this make me a slut?

12 comments:

Nat said...

Cross training... bane of my existence. Ok not quite

house on hill road said...

i think i need trails.

Tall Girl Running said...

I've been quietly admiring your willingness to listen to what your spirit needed, Suzanne. It needed a break from running and by having the courage to follow through with it, you've found another equally satisfying passion in your life. I think I could stand to learn a thing or two from you!

Stuart said...

Hah, damn indeed. I think we need a session on the Springer show, I have my first organized metric century (maybe miles but prob not) this weekend, have just shelled out for a while new outfit from Hammer, hey gotta look the part right, and I am hopefully running a trail half next weekend! You're two timing, Robin's doing Tri's and I am schitzoing between bike and foot a fine trio we all make!

The Amazing Trips said...

Wow, you're such a stud!! I'm so inspired. Tomorrow. TOMORROW will be the day that I drag my sorry self out, ignoring my blisters and aching legs, lace up my shoes and pound pavement.

Anonymous said...

Yes, it does. Or, wait, no, it makes you a bigamist. :)Now, if you take up swimming you can be a triathlon wielding polygamist.

I'm just kidding, of course. I really admire your ability to just do what your body needs to do.

I tried trail running a tiny bit last time. I sort of liked it. Until I got kinda tired out from the dirt. But I'm going to try it again.

Unknown said...

I think it's critical to follow your goals and passions... it would be a bad idea (IMO) to bag a marathon plan half-way through to have this affair. As it is, it's perfect - you're expanding on area without contracting another.

You're also fortunate that you're a pretty good biker. My bruised ego couldn't handle my crappy bike times :)

LCS said...

Cherokee has such beautiful trails, it would take some serious willpower not to cheat!

RunToTheFinish said...

running is just a fling for you now..can't even imagine that.

hey question, are you still following the holistic nutrition? Not sure how in depth you went with it, just wondering how much time you spend cooking? I think I'm really going to have to start planning to get in only whole foods.

zanne said...

running is just a fling for you now..can't even imagine that.
_______________________________

i know, amanda - who knew? believe me, no one more surprised than me.

on the food front, email me: suzanne(at)bellalulu(dot)com.
we'll chat!

Frayed Laces said...

Just got caught up on the last half dozen of your posts. I think it is natural for you to be going through this progression. I sort of went through the same thing. It's kind of like going through a bad breakup. You are in this amazing relationship (with running) that makes everyday feel better than the last, and you get these lofty ideals about your future together. Then, suddenly, out of the blue, your heart gets broken. Your natural instinct is to seek out something that is the complete opposite of your ex. Call cycling the "bad boy" if you will. Right now the bad boy gives you everything running couldn't. I am a firm believer in living one day at a time. If cycling makes you happy, then cycle. If running makes you happy tomorrow, then run. You've got a good head on those shoulders and I think you already know this.

Vickie said...

Just an adrenaline whore. You need the excitement, but you also need the power, and biking is giving you that power. Do whatever it is that makes you feel happy!