Runner Problems

Sometimes it feels like when you’re a runner you are part of a tribe. When you are injured, it can be just as emotionally painful as the injury is physically to not be a part of that tribe anymore. When I was REALLY into running, pre-injury, back when I was doing things like Hood To Coast, I felt part of a bigger community. My friends were runners. We talked about races and went for runs together. We complained about common runner problems and laughed because we could ALL relate. I missed that camaraderie when I took a break from it.

Now that I’m back at running, I am feeling like I’m slowly coming back into the fold of the tribe. Things I’d forgotten about returned and made me smile and laugh because I was like, “Oh yeah! I remember this!” So this post is about some of those “oh yeah!” moments that I know you runners out there can relate to!

You’re always hungry. Like always. The more I run, or bike honestly, I get this insatiable hunger that just doesn’t get satisfied. Eating smaller meals every two hours or so works well! GIMME CARBS!

Not being able to run for any reason. See above. When you can’t run, it’s all you think about, all you want to do. I remember there were many runs where I was lethargic and hated every minute of it and wanted to quit. But once that goes away, you really want it back–even the crappy runs! I’ll take anything!

My favorite running shoes are never on sale. Ever. I keep looking. I scour the internet, running stores and Amazon for deals. Once in awhile I find older versions of my favorite shoes for less money but not very often! Another runner problem? Wearing out shoes so quickly! Check out this post: Is it Time for New Shoes?

Needing to wear compression socks but it’s sunny and they look weird with shorts and skirts…Yeah, compression tights and socks are just not cute. 😉

Obsessing about the weather at all times–too hot? Too cold? Will it rain? Sometimes it’s kind of fun to be caught out in a summer rainstorm but most of the time I’d rather not run in the rain. Especially in the winter. Here in the NW you have to obsessively check the weather (sometimes hourly) to see if it will rain.

You’re not embarrassed to wear spandex–in fact, it’s more comfortable! I don’t know about you but I prefer running shorts that are more form-fitting/spandex style because it prevents chafing! Long ago I got over feeling embarrassed about wearing it. Especially when I need to wear my compression tights. 😉

You get jealous when you drive by runners, wishing you were running!

Finally, the runner’s high. It’s real, it’s awesome, and when your high wears off it’s kind of a bummer!

What are some of your “runner problems”?