Meeting the neighbors

A few weeks ago, I was riding my runner's high in for the home stretch of a 6 mile run...

I left the house hoping to go for at least 3, which has become my new standard - aim for 3 and add on if I feel good - and more importantly, if my bladder allows it.  On this day I was lucky enough to run into a 'masterful' running friend who was kind enough to run along at my slower pace for a few miles.  We chatted about all things running - I always enjoy having company with whom I don't have to hold back my inner running geek.  Before I knew it I was closing in on 6 miles ...

It was a great run, with great company, and I was excited at the idea of completing another 6 miler at this stage of pregnancy!  I was abruptly shaken down from my running high about 1/2 mile from home with abdominal cramps.  My brain immediately checked in with my body to make sure it wasn't something to do with the baby, and it quickly recognized the all-too-familiar feeling of GI distress.  I was relieved that it wasn't anything more serious, but frustrated that I might not be able to complete the run.

I was only a 1/2 mile away, so I decided to risk it ... so I ran for 100 meters, then walked, and repeated this until I was a mere 2 blocks from my front door.  But then I got to the point where I couldn't start to run again without major repercussions.  In fact, I couldn't even walk.  Then I had to sit down.  Yup, I just sat on the side walk.  I thought that would be less embarrassing than the alternative.  

As I was pulling myself together, I heard a sweet little voice saying "honey, are you ok?"  The elderly woman at the end of my street (whom I had never met) came out of her house to check on me.  I was trying to brush it off, but she was persistent and seemed a little confused "I don't think you are ok - I saw you sitting down on the sidewalk".  When I insisted, she continued to be skeptical but so sweet.  She told me that she and her husband are home all the time and I should feel free to knock on their door if I ever need anything.   Hmmm...maybe I could add her house to my city-wide list of bathroom pit-stops!?! 

She watched me scurry along with my head down, hoping that my jacket hid my growing belly so I didn't become the neighborhood 'crazy-pregnant-running-lady-who randomly sits down on sidewalks'.

I'm assuming this sweet old lady was not a runner, otherwise she would have known - sometimes you just need to sit down.