Tired Legs, Diarrhea, Chafed Butt, and a Hitched Ride

Well to say the least my run on Saturday was an adventure. I set off to do a 20 mile run, because I won't be able to run the next week because I am getting the first of a couple gum grafts done this Thursday (not looking forward to this). Well I bundled up with my layers, grabbed 2 granola bars, and the camelbak. The first couple of miles of my run felt great, my body was loving being outside with the fresh air and challenge of a long run ahead. My stomach started to bother me at about mile 4, and figured it was just gas. So at a couple of stop lights while jogging in place I let a couple farts out to relieve my stomach. I felt better and continuing my run for another mile or so, my stomach started to bother me again. So i decided I would try taking a poop at the porta pot about a mile away at the entrance to a park trail I run at. Well when I got there and sat down, it was explosion time. After I was finished, I felt great and ate my first granola bar. My trail run went well and it was exciting to see other people out running in the cold and snow. We all had that nice nod and look of "good to see I'm not the only loon out here today".

Well after making it back out of the trail and onto the road again, my hands started to get pretty cold. And figured it will be nice to get back inside, when I am finished. I still felt great at this point in my legs and overall condition on the run other than the soreness that comes to different body parts with long runs. Well after a couple of miles my left hand is basically numb (yes I wore gloves, but need to invest in some heavy ones) and I'm trying all I can to get feeling back in it. I'm moving my hand up and down, as well putting it in my pockets. I realize, I need to not be an idiot and try to hitch a ride home because I don't want frost bite. So I ask a couple of people at one stop light. One guy says he on his way to work (didn't believe him, 4:40 on Sat), and another lady speeds through the light when she sees me motioning to her. Well I run another mile and try again. This time a women say "no" when she figure out what I want and another lady speeds through again to avoid me after we make eye contact (am I really that scary?). I continue to run and am about 2 miles from the end of my run, but this feel like an eternity because of my hand being numb. I have one last stop light or I'm thinking I have to make it to a CVS or Donato's to sit inside until my hands regain feeling. A lady with her son rolls down her window, and I think she sensed the desperation in my voice and body, as I'm shaking and telling her I can't feel my hands and could use a ride to the corner of Sawmill and Hard (where we live). This lady is a saint to me, by letting me hitch a ride home with her. Once I'm in the car, she tells me that she figured I couldn't be holding a gun on me under my athletic shorts (what a great world we live in). She asks me why I am running in the cold and snow, so I explain that we are training for a long race out west. She then asks if I have a treadmill somewhere to run on (treadmills are awful for anything over 5 miles, but am always ready to be done after 3 on them). So I explain this to her as I'm still shaking and freezing. She offers to drop me off at my door as opposed to the corner like I asked (she is a saint).

So as soon as I get home, I struggle to get all my clothes off and sit shivering in a blanket and get a heat warmer next to me. Jen walks in after her run in the middle of this wondering what is wrong with me.

So overall I got to 18-19 miles, but fell short of my goal of 20-21 miles. But I did get a story to tell in the process, so I guess it's worth it. Hope everyone's training is going well.

Any news on Brett (haven't heard from him in awhile)?