The cause of my Alcohol-Induced-lllness.
So, as you my readers may already know – I was a complete slacker last week and did not run like I should have. This trend continued on sunday when – due to my alcohol-induced-illness (combined with countless family visits), my long-run did not happen. However, since i am such a conscientious runner (with an over-active sense of guilt), I felt I should make up my long run last night. Luckily – we have a the Greater Binghamton Bridge Run Half-Marathon course that was mapped out and certified right in town AND it goes right by my house. How perfect is that?
So after my wife got home from work, off I went with my trusty water bottle! I was a little frustrated as my Droid X doesn’t seem to have a functional GPS anymore. I’m not sure if it is a hardware error, or something with a recent update to the Maps/Navigation.
Map of the Bridge Run Half Marathon Course
For this run – I was using a pre-mapped course so while I wouldn’t have my splits (Frustrating), I would at least know exactly how far I went!
I took it nice and slow, with no worry about how fast/far I was going. (This was very easy to do as I didn’t have a phone with GPS to give me splits or let me know what my pace was.) I was pleasantly surprised to find out my legs weren’t bothering me, the breathing was easy and I was even enjoying the run! (I expected it to be hard to breathe with sore legs and thoroughly miserable the entire way.) Now THIS was what running is supposed to feel like!
Interesting side note occurred at mile 4. I was (again) stopped by someone asking about my shoes as I crossed the bridge heading into “Downtown-Binghamton.” Here is a great lesson on stereo-typing, and its flaws. The gentleman that stopped me was dressed quite “Gangsta” – yet what he wanted to know was how I liked my shoes. He apparently had a pair a couple of years ago, but wore them out and hadn’t found a place to get new ones. He and I (and his lady) spoke about how wonderful Vibram Five Fingers were, I let him know 3 places he could get them – and continued on my run loving the variety of people who like the VFFs! I headed back on, and went up 
by NYSEG stadium – the official start & finish line of the Greater Binghamton Bridge Run Half-Marathon.
Now you may have noticed the title of this blog post is negative. You also may have noticed that up until this point, my entire blog post has been very positive. Well, if you like happy stories, with cheerful endings – stop reading here and see you tomorrow!
I approached the stadium, and noticed that the Binghamton Mets were going to have a nice crowd tonight (a rare thign).. And then I felt a stab in my left calf. (No, I did not get mugged and stabbed in my ankle.) My muscle had just cramped/strained/pulled/HURT! I had run 5.11 Miles according to MapMyRun and suddenly it hurt to walk. Crap. I started massaging my calf and noticed a co-worker. I do have to admit, I had a wonderful conversation with him while I massaged my calf. It seemed to let up a little so I decided to try running some more and see if it was going to tighten up the rest of the way, or let loose and let me finish the next 8 miles. Well, after another 3/4 of a mile – I had my answer.
Needless to say, I hobbled back toward home. My wife picked me up (she brought me pizza too!!! My wife rocks. Just sayin.)
Today my calf is sore. I am wearing normal sneakers (with a rise to the back) to try to give my calf some relief. I don’t know What set my calf off. I have had some Achilles Tendon issues, but this is a good 8 inches or so higher than that. There was no warning.
Frustrating. I have emailed a buddy of mine to see if I can borrow his bicycle for a couple of weeks.
Frustrating.
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I run, because I am a runner. Having realized that I have always "been a runner" - even when I went years with out running, I am learning how it has integrated itself in all aspects of my life. When I started running in highschool, my perspective on life changed. Funny that I didn't realize how much it had affected it until just recently.
Once and Future Runner 
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear about the injury, but kudos to the wife for the rescue (and pizza!). Take some time to recover, and you’ll be back at it soon. Do you think you’ll go see a doctor?
And yea, stereotyping gets folks mixed up all the time. The way a person looks, dresses, talks, doesn’t always tell the whole tale. My friend says people are like onions, you gotta pull back the layers. 🙂
I probably won’t go see a doc. I already know that route, three weeks of pt and no running. I am trying to bug a couple of friends to see about borrowing a bike to ride. Barrjng that, I will give it a few days and try to run through it