I learned something about myself last night. My body doesn't like to run.
Now, for those of you who love me and think I am perfect and want to maintain that illusion, this is a TMI alert that you may not want to read what follows, however I know that many of my girlfriends will totally relate.
I was doing a fat burn speed program on my treadmill last night. Now let me qualify speed. The maximum speed that I put on the program was 4 mph. The program will run at different speeds up and down throughout a 30 minute workout.
I was doing great. 2.8 up to 3.4, moving a little faster, swinging my arms, having a good time. Then it moves up to 4 mph which is a bit of a jog for me.
When I say my body doesn't like to run I don't mean the fact that I have to hold on to the treadmill so I don't trip and fall flat on my face, or that I was huffing and puffing like an asthmatic, or the fact that my knees were screaming at me "hey, what did we ever do to you"! No, the reason my 41 year old body doesn't like running is the up and down, pounding action that was happening on my bladder.
I was hanging on trying not to fall on my face when I start thinking to myself "I kind of need to go to the bathroom. I need to go to the bathroom. I really need to go to the bathroom. I can't stop in the middle of my work out but I really really have to go to the bathroom". I am trying to hold out through the short segment of 4 mph for the up and down pounding to stop when it happened. I had a little leakage. (I warned you!)
Now this wasn't a release of rushing waters, just a little leakage, but still! How humiliating.
Having birthed offspring I know all about the leakage when you sneeze or when you laugh too hard or when you cough or when you look at someone cross-eyed, not really but you get the idea. I have talked to my Dr. about that and have a lovely pill that I take now. However, what are you supposed to do when you are holding on trying not to fall on your face for an extended period of time?
My scrapbook girls want me to do a 5k with them. What is a (fabulous) middle age bladder control challenged person to do? Am I going to have to saddle up to a "product"?
I think I would rather stay home and scrapbook.
I should hardly comment as I still don't like running, but maybe it will get better as your body gets more use to it. Put on a well place panty liner and keep working on it. : )
ReplyDeleteI think you can get Depends for a really good price at Costco. I say just stay home and scrapbook. In fact, I will join you!
ReplyDeleteArrgh! So sorry! I HATE that problem... I got mine "fixed" when I had my sex change operation. It's nice to sneeze, laugh, jump or even jog a bit without wetting myself!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I still consider myself all woman! This IS a post about TMI, right?
Linda,
ReplyDeleteYour bladder will adjust to the running but it takes time. I still can't get through a run without a potty break, but after birthing 2 1/2 years ago, my bladder control is getting much better. I used to have to stop every 30 seconds to 2 minutes. As for the race, put on a Depends or use the port-a-potties along the way. Good luck with your training. Hurray for you! :)