Social Workout

Workout

long run, the 6th: emotions.

At this point, each bi-weekly long run is the longest run of my life. It's terrifying but also motivating to know I can push myself further each time. This week's run was 18.5 miles long and took me just over 3 1/2 hours. Clearly, it was a slow pace (I ran with the Galloway group again), but I didn't even really feel tired or hurt until about mile 14. When it did finally hit me, it came on with a vengeance though. It's funny, actually...at the end of each of these runs, I've pushed myself to the very edge of what I can do physically, and I become very emotional. The chatting ceases, and any number of emotions can come over me -- sometimes I'm just happy. But, typically, they are negative emotions that take over and I become angry, doubtful or sad. When I have no energy left, all the walls I've put up during the week that have kept away the annoying, frustrating or sad things I just tucked away instead of dealing with them, come crumbling down and I'm flooded with raw emotions. I can't help it, and I simply cry. It's bizarre, but it's become an important catharsis in my life, I think. It's a way for me to release any negativity and tension to start anew. After my run I just need a big meal and a nap and I feel like a whole new person -- yes, a little achy or sore maybe, but relaxed and content. It's funny how much running is teaching me about myself.