Is Eating Cake Before Running a Good Idea

Though it may be a stretch to call myself an athlete, I love to run. I began my life as a runner 5 years ago and haven't looked back since.

The first time I ran I made it 1/2 a block and suffered shin splints. Later I made a mile and celebrated with a slice of carrot cake. I was in the process of losing weight at the time, running was in line with this goal, carrot cake was not.  This led me to believe that eating carrot cake before running was a great idea.  This led me to a stomach ache and the conclusion that eating carrot cake before a run is a very, very bad idea.

My problem with running has been that I am never satisfied with the run. I seek to run farther, faster, steeper. This quest to run steeper hills, along with a pronounced lack of calcium from the debilitating condition known as lactose intolerance, led my bones to weaken. This led to me breaking my ankle.

Breaking my ankle was devastating.  I couldn't walk for months, I couldn't run for almost a year. What I learned from that experience was that running up hills at fast speeds is a bad idea, taking calcium supplements is a good idea and that calcium supplements can be constipating.

My ankle has never been the same and has led to a recurring hip injury. Having a hip injury leads me to wonder, who gets a hip injury? I had previously thought a hip injury was an ailment reserved only for say, my grandmother.

The last 2 years has been a cycle of running and injury. I am not sure that running is good for me over the long run. Perhaps it isn't good for anyone. In fact I am pretty sure it isn't. Maybe I should stop running? I won't, not yet. Today I did yoga for the first time. Pat Robertson says that yoga is demonic, after doing yoga I agree. I am more sore than when I run. I didn't do yoga to get my mind in touch with my body or to get realign my chacras. I did yoga so I can prolong my running, um career, and reduce the risk of future injuries.

If anyone has any suggestions for alternative exercise let me know. Just don't suggest biking. I know I live in Portland, but I hate bikes. If you are thinking about running as an activity my suggestion is go for it and get a good music mix. More on that to come.

"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." - Jesse Owens