As a seasoned cross country and track runner, people often talk to me after they've decided to take up running and tell me all about the issues they've encountered while working out. I've realized that there really are some things that everyone who has ever gone for a run can relate to. Here are 11 of those things.
1. Chafing
Everyone understands the pain of chafing. Whether it's because you wore shorts that were too short or an armband that just rubbed you the wrong way, runners can always tell the tale of a time they were left with a pretty bad chafing scar.
2. Slippery Socks
After you've been running for a while, you learn which socks are the most comfortable for running, and which ones you should never run in again. But there will come a laundry day when you open you sock drawer and find that the only clean pair is the one that slides down into your shoe every few minutes.
3. Falling Down
Tripping while running is the worst, usually because it's in front of a lot of people at a really inopportune moment. Best case, it's super embarrassing, and worst case, you twist an ankle or cut open your knee.
4. Needing To Go To The Bathroom During A Long Run
Runners everywhere know the feeling: you're in the middle of nowhere with 6 or 7 miles to go until you reach civilization, and you need to go to the bathroom. Like, right now.
5. Dehydration
On 90 degree days, runners know they need to drink extra water. But sometimes, even that isn't enough, and you have to hope that your route will have plenty places to stop for water.
6. Having Runner's Feet
Most runners can't remember the last time they looked good wearing sandals. All the blisters, callouses, and the occasional lost toenail don't exactly make a great fashion statement. But at the same time, a pedicure will just ruin how tough your feet have gotten, so you just stick with sneakers.
7. Forgetting To Start Your Watch
There is a very specific feeling of rage when you're well into a run and notice that your watch isn't running. You could have run a mile or four miles for all you know, since time seems to move so slowly.
8. Watching What You Eat All Day
Morning runs allow you to eat all you want all day, but afternoon runs, on the other hand, require you to be very careful about what you eat. Every runner has that one food they absolutely can't eat pre-run, even though it might be so tempting or convenient. And it gets a little boring eating the same sandwich-and-fruit lunch every single day.
9. Breaking In New Shoes
Getting new running shoes can be exciting, but at the same time it's pretty frustrating trying to break them in. You really want to run in them immediately, but should you walk around in them first? It's a never-ending debate.
10. Random Aches And Pains
For a few days after a particularly hard run, new aches and pains seem to pop up all the time. Eventually you learn to ignore the sound of your joints creaking when you stand up after sitting for a long time, but ignoring the feeling is impossible.
11. The Dreaded Off Week
After a training cycle, you know it's necessary to take a week off. But even though there are so many things you complain about, you know that running is one of your absolute favorite things. You realize that you actually can't wait until you get to go through it all again.
