Every Runner's Nightmares

"Try running," they said. "It'll be fun." they said.

I think they forgot to mention the constant nightmares every runner faces...

Getting to your track workout and realizing you wore trail shoes. Getting to your trail workout and realizing you wore road shoes. Getting to any social function, i.e. dinner at a restaurant, and realizing you wore some form of running shoes with your dressy outfit.

The feeling when you just know another toe nail fell off.

Thinking you’re on route for a PR, then hitting the Wall.

Finding out that Starbucks won’t be open before the start of your race. Ugh.

When you realize you're supposed to do something productive after a long run. Uh, oh no.

*Night before long run* Opening the cupboard and realizing you’re out of GU.

The moment you’re told that the model of shoe you always buy has been discontinued.

Shin splints. Stress fractures. Knee problems. Planter fasciitis. Tight IT bands. Etc. Etc.

Doing your workout on the treadmill because the forecast calls for bad weather.

But even worse: Later realizing the bad weather never came and you could have run outside.

Getting the “runs"… and then having to get in the long pre-race port-a-potty line...

Being late for your race.

Exhibit A: Jean-Paul (the marathon runner) from Seinfeld.