Pounding the pavement = Pounding head

Earlier this week I was going to do this big bragadocious post about my new early morning running ritual. I’m so glad I didn’t, because I would be eating those words right now if I had. My friend (who also just had a baby 4+ months ago) has initiated a neighborhood running group with big ½ marathon plans for August. Seemed like a good idea, I’ve got some postpartum belly chub I wouldn’t be loathing to part with (it seems, with each subsequent pregnancy the Metabolic Gods are a little less generous). The plan was 6:00 a.m. Mon. Weds. and Fri. with long runs on Saturday. As far as actual running went, things were going well. I was able to run a lot farther than I thought and I wasn’t getting side aches like I did when I was younger. We were doing 3 miles a day, with some minimal walking. They said for a beginner I was doing great and I was feeling like pretty hot running shtuff, that is until the vertigo set in. After the run on Monday I pretty much felt like crap all day long (tired and dizzy), and thought it was due to sleep deprivation. Still felt the same on Tuesday (a non running day with a night of good sleep). On Wednesday, being the big idiot that I am, I ran again (almost 3 miles). All day long, the world around me seemed to be spinning. By that afternoon I was experiencing visual disturbances like a migraine aura and there was a dull ache in my head. Thursday was the same, even without running. This morning I stayed in bed and slept in, and tomorrow I’ll be doing the same. Have to admit, I am feeling a little bit better (only slightly dizzy).

The verdict: I am hanging up those running shoes. I’d rather be sporting around a few extra inches around my waist, than constantly feeling like I just took a ride on a roller coaster. I think deep down I've always known I am not the athletic type - gardening is more my thing. :)

FYI: Even though running seems to be the obvious culprit, I have scheduled a Dr. appt. to help silence the hypochondriac within.