Dearest cranky non-runners,
That opening line is not calling all non-runners cranky. I’m addressing a specific group of people – the people who are non-runners, and cranky about running.
So, to you cranky non-runners,
I get it.
I totally get it. In case you didn’t read in my crankypants post, last week was a bit rough.
I am on a freaking emotional roller-coaster in my improv class, my new morning commute is killing me, and if my roommate and I can’t agree on a comfortable temperature for the apartment, he is going to have a heat stroke or I am going die of hypothermia.
I spent every day last week swamped with thoughts, things to do, and running around sweltering L.A. (And I don’t mean running in the good way. I mean it in the – trying to figure out the Burbank bus system, and the most efficient way to get to work and to class – way.)
The less sleep I got, and the more stress I added, the crankier I got.
Intellectually, I knew that if I went for a run, I’d feel better. Running always energizes me, and it tends to make everything better. It’s biology. (“It’s biology” (sometimes just “biology”) is kind of my catchphrase. So, picture that I said it in a fun, catchphrase-y way.
When I saw my friends posting all their stats from the week – “this many miles going this fast,” and “oh, look at my new medal” – the cranky me was all, “Yeah, I get it. You’re fast. You’re healthy. You have so much energy. Get off my back. Excuse me while I eat this Zebra Cake and take a nap.”
I understand the headspace of the people I’ve heard yelling about the annoying-ness of the chipper-ness of their running friends. I also understand the headspace of the chipper friends, ’cause those endorphins sprinkle your brain with fairy dust. I’ve never feel better than I do after a run.
As you can tell by the fact that a week has gone by since my cranky post, I couldn’t even be bothered enough to write this entry.
“Writing? Ugh. So hard. Let’s just post some things that are already conveniently sitting in the queue waiting to be published. Excuse me while I eat this Zebra Cake and take a nap.”
I finally went for a (short) run on Sunday (when I was supposed to be doing that half marathon in Providence). And I went for a small run on Monday, because I knew how much better Sunday’s run made me feel. Then I went for a super short run on Tuesday before my class, because you know, the stress is killing me. I have no choice but to try to run it out.
So, I’m finally making time for running again – not as much time as I should be, but some.
I find it fascinating that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if I’m really cranky and things are no good, running will absolutely make it better. Yet I don’t always jump to do it. Isn’t it weird how sometimes the more desperately we need something, the less we want to do it? Usually, I do crave running when I’m stressed. But sometimes I hit that ultra-stress level, and it’s all over.
I guess all I’m saying is for anyone too cranky to run – no, forget that. Who am I to give you advice on what to do?
To the future me (and to any cranky non-runners, if you happen to feel like taking the advice) –
When inevitably you have a day (or week) where you don’t want to do run – take the day, and eat that zebra cake, and nap if you need to. Yell at the screen at your cool friends doing their hundred-miles. You gotta do what you gotta do.
But in the end, running will make things better. It always does. And your friends aren’t trying to annoy you. They’re just wanting to share their joy with you. Don’t waste any time being annoyed their awesome runs. Jump up and join them. It’s better for everyone.
I have never in my life regretted going for a run. So, just go out put one foot in front of the other. You can do it.