From 2007
My name is Laura, and I’m a runaholic.
Despite the creaky knees, a hip that has to be adjusted every other week, and a need for running shoes that cost nearly as much as my rent, I plan my week around getting in my miles. As with most addictions, my flirtation with running began innocently enough. I joined my high school track team for the cute boys and to force my parents to fork over $100 for the much-coveted Nike Air Maxx. I ran when the impulse (or occasional Catholic school league track meet) struck, but it wasn’t serious. If given the choice between going to the mall and running, I chose the shopping excursion without fail.
Things took a darker turn in college. Freshman year at a fraternity party, a clever boy named Paul placed his hand on my somewhat expanded bottom and pronounced, “freshman 15” to the crowd gathered around the pony keg. I know you’re not supposed to blame people for your addictions, but I would be lying if I said I wish Paul well.
I started running every day.
Things began reasonably. My first route was 2.5 miles, and I could only run .5 of it. By the time I graduated, though, I was running up to nine miles, six times a week. Sometimes I hit the trail twice a day, and unlike high school days, little could deter me from going. Who knew that miles pass so quickly when you’re still buzzed from the previous night’s frat party?
After graduation, I went through the normal denial. I justified the midnight runs, the treks through bad neighborhoods, and the canceling of dinner plans in order to get some exercise. When rain (or work) interfered, I could feel myself getting dumpier and slower by the minute. I ran races, joined running clubs, and completed marathons, but I still didn’t consider myself a “runner.” And then something happened: I fell in love with a man, and when describing him to my mother, I said, “He runs really fast.” At the age of 35, some 20 years after joining the track team, I’m now in a state of acceptance.
If you’re not a runner, these signs of addiction read more like a cautionary tale. But that’s the thing about running. You never meet anyone who describes the act as just “okay.” Folks either talk about it as though it’s a religious experience or an activity on par with getting poked in the eye with a sharp stick. That’s what’s so insidious about it. Little known fact: no one loves running immediately. Your complaints about the side pains, leg discomfort, and shortness of breath? Everybody—no matter how strong an athlete she is—struggles with those symptoms in the beginning (and, depending on the day, 20 years later).
But there comes a time when I forget about the pain. I could talk about endorphins, euphoria, and the sense of pride that comes when I accomplish a mileage goal. But let’s be honest: vanity’s a factor, too. Sometimes when the endorphins aren’t kicking in, the prospect of don-ning a swimsuit can bring on amnesia about whether I’m on mile three or 13.
I prefer to run outside. And though I love television almost as much as I love running, doing 10 miles on a treadmill appeals to me about as much as the aforementioned stick in the eye. I’m all about distractions, and even though I rarely alter my route, every run is different. From the blooming flowers to the changing cast of fellow runners to the variable weather conditions—nothing is ever the same. This past summer, we were cursed with Houston’s humidity and Seattle’s rain, and, to be honest, it was horrible. That’s where the distractions come in. For example, while running through what felt like a wall of humidity, I was attacked by a lap dog. Not long after, on the Katy Trail, I ran in a rainstorm and almost got hit by a car. (Side note: if you’re in your car crossing Knox Street and you see a youngish, sweaty lady attempting to run across the trail, please yield. I know you’re in a hurry to get to Toulouse, but pedestrians have the right of way.) Good things happen, too. But, frankly, the worse it is, sometimes the better.
And just as the elements of my environment change every day, the way my body reacts to a run continues to surprise me. I suppose that’s why I haven’t abandoned running for yoga or stripper aerobics or some other workout craze. It’s still exciting. I go through periods when doing 12 or 13 miles is a breeze. Then, suddenly, getting through three or four miles is excruciating for no reason at all. I’ve had hip problems, calf injuries, and blisters. I go through phases when I like to drink beers and smoke cigarettes (yes, I know) a whole bunch, and that makes running less appealing. PMS makes the very thought of running abhorrent. But I still put on the running shoes and try to get through it.
At the end of the day, I’ve drunk the Kool-Aid (or Gatorade, in this case), and I’m a believer. But I realize that unless you’re in the cult, my explanations and rationalizations are meaningless. So I don’t bother talking about how fast I run, the merits of goo, and whether yoga has improved my running (7.5-minute mile on a good day, none in my opinion, and yes). But, like all addicts, I wish I could convert everyone to my way of thinking. In a perfect world, everyone would be obsessed with getting in workouts, building mileage, and finding the perfect shirt that doesn’t chafe. And every now and again, we’d discuss all that and more at happy hour, though we’d refer to our trips to the Old Monk as “carbo loading.” Later, as we ran home (no need for cars in my utopia), we wouldn’t even need to take special care as we crossed Knox.
RUNNING FOR DUMMIES
Not sure how to get started? These are Laura’s top picks for great gear and racing resources.
 | LUKE’S LOCKER. The one-stop shop for exercise gear is also a great resource for running opportunities. Every Wednesday at 6 a.m., some of the fittest people in town meet for a run through the Park Cities, followed by bagels and shopping. The store also offers Luke’s Fit, a Saturday-morning program designed to get even the greenest runner through a half or full marathon. 3607 Oak Lawn Ave. 214-528-1290. www.lukeslocker.com. RUN ON! This store has become something of a Dallas institution. The laid-back staff is happy to help with shoe, sock, and running gear recommendations. They also offer programs designed to make you run faster, farther, and with better form—whether your goal is the Turkey Trot or the White Rock Marathon. 5400 E. Mockingbird Ln. 214-821-0909. Multiple locations. www.runontexas.com. THE DALLAS RUNNING CLUB. This group claims to have more running and walking enthusiasts than any other game in town—1,900 members who run all varieties of distances and paces. This club organizes races, running routes, and get-togethers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. 214-432-6619. www.dallasrunningclub.com. TEAM IN TRAINING. Do you prefer your running with a side of charity work? This half or full marathon training program not only helps build your endurance and speed, but it also helps raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (more than $700 million so far). What could be better than running 26.2 miles and replenishing a cancer organization’s coffers? 800-955-4572. www.teamintraining.org. |
A. Jacket: Nike Tailwind track jacket/$110 |
