The Broad Running Broad

Is it really outdoor activity season if you don’t hurt yourself in some mildly embarrassing way?

So last post I told you about the 46-mile bike ride. Which I maintain was a good idea, even if I did bonk at Mile 40 on the way home and ultimately discover trying to walk a bike up the hill is a terrible idea.

Granted, I had a feeling walking up the hilly road would be stupid before I actually did it. But I was physically spent and my other option was to take the flatter but longer route home. I was ready to be done with it, so up the stupid scary hill I trekked. It kinda saved me time?

So now it’s been over a week later. I’m used to lubing up with BodyGlide whenever I run, but I didn’t think I would need to lube up for a bike ride. After all, I had on my padded bike shorts on, so I should have plenty of cushioning.

Well, it turns out you can chafe on butt pads.

I’m not going to subject you all to the details of how I chafed and what exactly it looked like. I will say that – had I realized I chafed and how severe it was – I would not have sat down for an Epsom salt bath as soon as I got home.

Yowza!

Then this past week I had a stomach bug pass through. I started experiencing some symptoms Monday evening that lasted into Tuesday morning. By Tuesday afternoon/early evening I felt okay-ish.

Yesterday morning I woke up feeling like death. You know when you wake up feeling lightheaded, but at the same time there’s something stuck in the pit of your stomach so eating sounds like a terrible idea? That was me.

Now yesterday was the department trip to the Clippers game. I haven’t been to a baseball game in over 10 years and was looking forward to seeing my coworkers. However, the thought of sitting outside in 93 degrees and humidity while I was battling nausea didn’t sound like the best idea. I figured water with a side of electrolytes was what I needed to get my energy back, and took an antacid for the nauseous feeling.

About 15 minutes later I was paying my respects to the porcelain god.

I had to text my apologies over missing the game and spent the rest of my day feeling bummed out and sorry for myself when I wasn’t asleep on the couch.

At this point you’re probably wondering why I’m telling you all about chafing and stomach issues. Well, because this morning I saw it’s August 1st and remembered that usually in late July or early August when I was a kid, there would be a stomach ache, ear infection or the mother of all sunburns.

I’m 32 years old, and yet come August, I’m demoted to being a kid again.

I don’t like feeling crappy, but if it goes with the territory of soaking in the last few weeks of summer, I can live with that.

And thankfully, I’m on the upswing from both my maladies.

So for the month of August, I’m going to enjoy myself and make the most of it. This upcoming weekend is the Dublin Irish Festival, which I have never been to, so Mom and I are going to spend the day there on Saturday. Then later on in the month is the Darke County Fair and Mom’s birthday.

I’ve still got my fall training, and I’m looking forward to ramping up my running and cycling, as well as getting back into regular lifting.

And there’s my AU61. Honestly, I’m not as enthusiastic about this one as I am everything else. So I’m adopting the “done is good” approach to stay sane through studying.

And at some point I’ll chafe or get another sunburn. I don’t care though – all that means is I was doing something I love and having a ball.

With that being said, I hope you all have a wonderful August. May your days be delightfully sunny, and may any festivals you hit up have your favorite food trucks.

Yours in life and reading,

Allison