RLS and Running

So, I've joked with Jon for some time now about having restless leg syndrome. I really have felt like I've had it at times, but it also seems like one of those things that people just make up or something. Am I the only one that thinks that? For the last couple of years, my legs just get really restless at night sometimes. Not every night, just randomly. So I'd say "I have RLS" in a really whiny voice, and we'd both laugh....but I'd struggle to lay still for the next half hour until I fell asleep. Sometimes it would also happen on long road trips or times when I would have to be still or confined for an extended period of time.

Anyway - for the last several nights it has been really bad. I was in tears last night because it was so frustrating! It so hard to describe how it feels - but I just can't stay still. Sometimes Jon will try to just massage my lower legs, which does bring relief, but only while they're being massaged. Can't blame him for not wanting to give up an hour of sleep to rub my legs while I try to sleep. I feel like such a freak.

So, in the midst of spazzing (sp?) out last night, I decided to do a little internet research into this crazy problem. I actually found quite a lot of info. Two things that interested me most were:

a. One possible cause of RLS is anemia (iron deficiency)
b. Taking an iron supplement can possible reduce the symptoms

This was a great find because

a. I've been diagnosed as being anemic - once in high school when I tried to give blood and once when I had a physical right before leaving for Thailand
b. I have an iron supplement already. My sweet MIL was kind enough to ship it to me when we were living in Thailand. I just haven't been taking it because I misplaced it in our move back to the U.S.

So, I immediately popped one in last night (after finding it in our medicine cabinet - you can tell I really wanted to find it before:) hoping to find semi immediate relief. While I still have not found relief (as I am about to die of frustration in writing this post), I'm hoping that if I stay consistent in taking them, maybe relief will come!

Has anybody else had problems with RLS or something similar?

On to happier things. Jon and I had a wedding to go to tonight, which was quite fun by the way. We got home fairly early though and decided to just relax and do nothing for the evening...which for me means blogging! So, I was surfing around, and I stumbled upon some wonderful running blogs. I would love to give them credit right here and now, but my restless legs are not going to allow me to sit still long enough to finish this post, much less go back and copy/paste url's for the great sites I found. You can look at the blog list in my sidebar to find them if you're interested...and I'll hopefully be in better shape to list them another time.

Anyway...these blogs were so inspiring. Some gave great style tips for runners, some great running tips and some just stories and experiences of running.

I love to run. I've mentioned it before, but I started running back in January when I started training for my random half marathon. In the past if anybody asked me about running I would tell them that I hated it. I hated to run just to run. However, in training for the half I found such a love for just good ole' running. Sometimes it's fun and I feel like I'm flying, othertimes it's all I can do to just keep putting one foot in front of the other, but regardless I love it.

After the 15k that Jon (my running buddy and sweet sweet husband) and I recently ran in, I've been slacking off. We went for one pretty short run this past week, and it was a really tough one. For some reason, I've just not felt like getting out there. Maybe it has to do with the onset of colder weather - I'm not sure. Either way, I've felt somewhat of a burden on my shoulders bc of the lack of runs lately.

Reading these blogs tonight though, made me realize that I think I've forgotten to remember and focus on the joy of running. The way I can just zone out and think of nothing (which is impossible at any other time of day.) The way I can plan and dream of future aspirations - when I'm running I always feel as if I can accomplish anything. The excitement and inspiration I get from my running playlists, beautiful sunrises, pretty trees etc. So many things I love.

So, I thank the wonderful running blogs for helping me get geared up to hit the pavement again. I can't wait to get up bright and early tomorrow morning and get in a nice long jog before church. Oh, how I love the blog world.