Runner At Heart, Runner In Soul

I had yet another late night at the office today, just managing to grab a quick sammich from Subway on my way home, a scant 10mins before they were scheduled to close shop.

Upon reaching home, as I scarfed down my delicious, late dinner, I remembered the Subway voucher still lying in the Race Pack pouch I got for the SCMKL and went to get it out to use. Expiring 31st July. Thank God that, 

a) I remembered it on time, and 

b) I looooove Subway and can eat it on a daily basis anyway! *g*

Along with the voucher, I fished out an expired discount coupon for Timex watches and the SCMKL Runner's Guide Book. Flipping through the guide to see if there might be some useful tips to remember for my next HM race, I took some time to admire the once-thought-unconquerable 21KM route that I ran (and conquered!) as well as to scrutinize the Full Marathon route. Again. And all at once, my respect for full marathoners was wholly renewed, nevermind my respect for ultra-marathoners! Insane. But awesome. Insanely awesome.

It made me wonder if I could one day complete a marathon? Even a triathlon, maybe? The idea of being a triathlete is appealing.

However, nevermind triathlons, being even just a marathoner takes tremendous, dedicated training.. And let's face it. I know me. I don't have that kind of discipline. Passion, yes. Follow through, erm.. less so. Berangan je lebih. Haha.

Still, while I cannot in honesty (or full conscience!) call myself a serious runner, I do love to run. Running makes me happy. That wonderful high of being completely tuned-in to my body.. unparalleled, liberating joy. Of being able to completely empty my mind of everything save the rhythm of my breath and each footfall I make... Rightly or wrongly, running makes me feel better about myself. Running brings me peace of mind & gives me solace.

And perhaps that is all that matters, that no matter how casual a runner I am, this is what makes me a runner, at heart and in soul.

Does This Make Me A Full-Fledged Runner Now?

So remember me writing about losing toenails? By the horrified expressions on my pedicurists yesterday, it's officially happened. I've lost my toenails!

For the first time since SCMKL, I went for a mani/pedi. Seeing as how the new office is right next to a shopping mall (or three!), I decided to pop into a nail salon for a bit of pampering after a too-quick lunch.

The pedicurist, upon clipping my toenails, suddenly let out a horrified gasp and started yammering about how my nails were horridly fungus infected (because the flesh had separated from the nail, all the way to the base) and how I needed this magnificently over-priced unguent to remedy it.

Thing is, one of my besties has a nail fungal infection. She showed it to me and related how her pedicurist had actually inserted a lidi into the vacant space of her nail and how she barely felt it. So I knew that mine was no fungal infection and nothing more serious than what I've been reading of black/lost runner toenails.

I tried explaining to the woman that the black she was looking at were just bloodclots under the nails, and that the spaces where bits of the clots had chipped away and fell out were not fungal infections. She tried her damndest to yell me down and just to prove she had it right over my "excuses", she vehemently poked under my nail with a lidi. Without asking me first if it was okay to do so. The pain was so tear-inducing I almost kicked her in the face in reflex.

It was only then that she conceded my toenail were not fungus-ridden, but by that time I had insisted on a different pedicurist. 

Upon arriving home, I contorted myself into pretzel-like proportions to peer at my nails. Yup, the nails of my second+third toes on the right foot, and baby toe of my left foot had come clean away from the flesh! They don't hurt anymore.. unless of course some eejit pedicurist tries to jam sharp wooden skewers under them, or when I try to lift them higher (at which point it starts to ache at the base of the nail, which is still perfectly attached). 

Gross? Nyeahahaha! But cool. And according to some people, PROOF that I am a blooded (and nail-less!) runner!

So. It's official. I've lost three toenails. :O)