Tuesday, July 16, 2013

How has running changed your body?

Like the rest of the running world, I fell in love with the comic "The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances" from The Oatmeal.

I think the "comic" struck a chord with a lot of runners, because it was so honest in its comedy. Someone once told me that the funniest things in life are the truest things. I'm sure that every runner found a number of quirky observations made by The Oatmeal that made them say, "Yeah, no kidding" or "I do that, too!" I certainly had a number of moments like that when I read through it. One of the illustrations stuck out to me a little more than the others and I thought it would make for an interesting conversation between runners.

On the "Vanity" page of the article, they suggested that the body we end up with after becoming a distance runner is not necessarily the body we thought we'd get or even the body we necessarily wanted.

It made me think: what was the body I wanted running to give me? How does the body I earned compare to that image?



I think I expected to become rail thin with long limbs and defined muscles like a sinewy ballerina. I thought I'd get to keep my boobs and my ass would be perfectly hard and round like an Olympic sprinter.

I probably don't need to say this, but those things didn't happen just how I expected them to. I did thin out, but part of the cost of "thinning out" is losing boobs. Another place I have lost weight is in my face; my cheeks used to be much fuller. Sometimes, I feel like I look like Skeletor with sunken in cheeks. 

My waist and hips are narrower - but my thighs are huge from hills, plyometrics and an early life as a sprinter/jumper. There are pros and cons to big thighs because they are strong, but my skinny jeans hate them. Chafing is a problem. When I was running last week, a guy yelled "That chick has legs like an effing horse." I took it as a compliment (I guess,) but still...a horse? My muscles are more defined in general. I like that you can see shapes in my arms, my shoulders, my back, my calves and yes - even my butt. I totally check these things out in the mirror and take vanity shots to compare my progress. You should too.

So while the changes in my body aren't exactly what I pictured, I'm happier with the way it has turned out. My body looks and feels strong - and it will continue to change. Let's not forget the best part - our bodies are able to do some pretty amazing things because of running and the work we put in.

What about you? How has your body changed? Are those changes what you expected?

11 comments:

  1. I saw your "action" shot of u mowing your lawn. you are stunning. Fact!
    more then anything--I would wager a lot of fun to be around.
    Good job today!

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    1. Aww, well thank you! :) I like to think I'm pretty fun. Today was tough but it is in the books.

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  2. Running dropped my BMI from a healthy 21.5 to a, uh, healthy? 17.9. That's 20-25 lb weight loss relative to my pre-pregnancy weight 7 years ago. Unfortunately, most of it was in the bust. I went from a pre-baby B to a current "is there something smaller than AA?"

    On the upside, I have LEGS. I peek at them every time I go by a mirror to enjoy the quads, calves, even hamstrings. And back before I broke my elbow and stopped lifting weights, I had pretty rockin shoulders and arms for a while, too.

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    1. Having "runner's legs" really is a perk, isn't it?! I had the same issues with BMI - but it's part of the sport. Those things usually even out. As for boobs, well - I think that's something we just have to accept. I tell people, "I don't like boobs anyway." haha

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    2. Over all, I'll take no boobs over too-big boobs any time :-)

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  3. Haha, love this post! I agree, as much as I used to want to, thanks to soccer and running...I aint getting rid of these legs! But I'd rather be strong than scrawny!

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    1. Oh yeah - if you played soccer, those bad boys are yours for life! haha. But good for you. No one will accuse you of being a sissy girl.

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  4. I, too, am loving that comic! So true, and surprisingly motivational.

    Overall, I've been pleased with how running has changed my body. I don't mind the thunder thighs (I think I'll always have them, so I've come to accept them!), and I'm happy with the lower body fat... the thing that gets me is the VEINS! On my feet, behind my knees, on my arms and hands - I'm a bit grossed out by them, but I know they mean good things! Weird, but true!

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    1. Excellent point! I can't believe I forgot about the veins!!! I'm a 7th grade teacher and my students are SO horrified by my veins. hahaha. Oh well - not much we can do about those. :)

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    2. I think they're kind of badass. I associate them with strong people like rock climbers.

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  5. Totally love this and relate to it. I think I thought my legs would instantly become gazelle-like and that I'd become some toned Giselle-lite. Of course, that doesn't happen. My legs have a ton more muscle, which is awesome, but I still store fat on them just like I always have. I will say, though, that I appreciate and love my body a lot more since I started running, so it's all worth it :)

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