Lesson #17 Addicted to Endorphins?

My friend made the comment recently that she thought she was addicted to endorphins. I thought about this comment. Is it possible? If so, is that a bad thing? We are not to let our bodies be controlled by anything because they are not our own, according to I Corinthians 6:19. But then again, we are to take care of the bodies God has entrusted to us so we can fulfill the work He has called us to. Nonetheless, I think it is quite possible that I am addicted to endorphins or the "runner's high". Let me explain. :)

I recently ran the Chicago marathon on 10-10-10. It was not a pleasant experience due to the heat, once again. (3 out of the last 4 Chicago marathons have been run in 80 + degree weather!) I couldn't get enough fluids and hit the wall around mile 16. My legs cramped up and I just steadily got slower and slower. I pretty much hated the idea of running during the last half of the race. I was actually upset with myself for doing such an insane activity where I actually pay $130.00 to inflict pain upon my body.

A couple days after the race when I only had 7 toenails, armpit chaffing/scabbing, and couldn't walk because of my ongoing plantar fasciitis, I was actually quite content with not putting my running shoes on for a VERY long time.

It has now been 2 weeks since the race and 2 weeks since I last ran. Am I still content with the idea of not putting my running shoes on? Ha! Not at all.

Now I can't remember the intense misery I felt during the last 8 miles of the marathon. I can't remember how much I just wanted to be home in my pjs like most people on an early Sunday morning. These emotions and feelings come to me after every 26.2. I say "That was my last marathon!" My friends and family just laugh because they know me too well. I will soon go and get excited about what race I can conquer next. This is madness! Is it like child-birth? You can't remember the pain? I actually told my friend Christina to call me a week after the marathon to make sure I didn't sign up for another one yet. haha. (She is a good friend and she did call.)

Does this prove that I might be addicted to endorphins?

I still can't run b/c Mr. Plantar Fasciitis is still my unwanted visitor, and so I've tried other forms of exercise. In the past week I've done the elliptical, bike, swam laps, took a cycling class, a strength class, and a cardio kickboxing class. But after every one I leave with the feeling of "eh, that was okay." Don't get me wrong, my muscles were worked and I am even sore, but nothing quite compares to how good I feel after a run. These other exercises are SO great in addition to running, but I just am not satisfied with them being a substitute to running.

I don't deny the insanity, but I do enjoy my love/hate relationship with running. I just can't seem to survive without it. Some of you reading might feel the same way about swimming or cycling, or *gasp* even scrapbooking! But I argue that running is probably one of the best activities you can ever do. So, go get yourself a dose of endorphins; I dare you.

Hmm- I wonder if Mr. Plantar has left yet...

-Keep on Running