In your time as an endurance athlete, have you had an experience that is uniquely unusual, funny or unbelievable?  I have had a few of these stories myself over the years.  I have been wanting to put together a compilation of stories of these experiences for years now. Here’s one of my stories…(One draw back to wearing an I-Pod while training)

My Side of the Story…

It was one of those early morning runs.  I mean early, like 4:30 am.  I headed out for my run on my normal course with my iPod blasting heavy metal in my ears, knowing that there were a few construction sites along the route with port-a-potties.  You all know how the digestive system of an endurance athlete is…volatile.  So I have to go, and go bad, but I know that there is a port-a-potty up ahead.  You know how once your body knows that a toilet is near you kind of have a timer clocking down the seconds until you can take care of business.  So I finally get there and it is locked!  Are you @#%$ kidding me!  I have to go.  I start to pound on the door dropping curse words that would make a sailor blush.  Who the hell locked the door before they left last night, don’t they know I need to use it.  So I decide I am going to break in…what else can I do?  I grab a large stick, or small branch and start to try to jimmy the door…

The Other Guy’s Side of the Story…

So I head out for my early run, I don’t normally get up this early, but I am committed to getting healthy and I know exercise is important.   I was surprised when I felt the urge to “go”.  Thank goodness there was a port-a-potty at a construction site up ahead.  I was even more pleased when I found it unlocked.  I sit down to take care of business.  Not a few seconds later I hear someone come up to the john.  Whoever it is tries to open the door and I say “Just a minute, I’ll be right out”.  This assurance doesn’t seem to make much difference.  They just continue banging on the door, ripping on the handle and cursing like a madman.  I’m now shouting…”Give me a minute damn it, I am almost done”.  By the way, I am not almost done, I am trying to finish taking care of business, practically giving myself a hernia trying to get it out.  Next thing I know I hear whoever it is breaking a tree limb and I’m thinking, this guy is going to try to kill me.  It is clearly time to get out of this port-a-potty and run as hard as I can back home, hoping that I can run faster than whoever it is.  So, I attempt to make a quick exit while pulling my pants up, hoping to not get clubbed by the branch by this crazy person.  I catch a glimpse of the crazy &$%# as I scream past him on my way to safety.  He has black tights and long sleeved shirt on with a black stocking cap on his head.  What looks like a fanny pack with a water bottle holster on it and ear phones in his ear.  He is a clearly demented person, red faced, and violent.  “It’s all yours!” I yell, and then I ran my ass off back home, now rethinking my desire to become healthy and fit.  Maybe the Stair Master is for me from now on…

Back to my side…

My attempted break in isn’t working even though the Metallica blasting in my ears is driving me on.  Suddenly the door flies open and another runner runs out like a grizzly is chasing him.  As he sprinted away I hear him yell “it’s all yours man!”

I know this is a crazy long shot, but on the off chance this poor guy is reading my blog, I just have to say I’m so sorry dude. 

Until next time, visit the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, shop at trisports.com using my discount code chowi-s, eat more powerbar, and tell your endurance family you love them.