Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The return of the Lunch Run

Back before Christmas, my work group did a major move to a new building.  Although moving is never really fun, I was super excited because the new building had SHOWERS!

In the past I have gone without showers after lunch runs, hoping that deodorant and body spray would keep me smelling decent for the remainder of the day.  Now I can at least rinse off after a run before heading back to work.

Today was the first time I got to run at lunch and try out the work showers.  I didn't want to run this morning because I knew I would still be pretty tired from my Tuesday night run and I didn't have time after work.  So lunch time it was!


I changed in the handicap bathroom because there was more room.  Sadly that shower seems to be filled with bathroom supplies.  It was a beautiful day with the sun shining and I headed out for 4 easy miles.  The only bad part was the 20mph winds that I ran into for the first part of the run.  With the wind I was freezing, with the sun I was sweating!


When I got back, I quickly ducked into the women's bathroom - I don't like too many of my co-workers to see me in my running clothes!  I went into the first shower stall, got my stuff situated and turned on the water.  I waited and waited and waited for the water to get warm but it barely got luke warm.

I jumped in quick and started going through the showering process as fast as possible.  Suddenly I could hear through the wall that someone in the men's room next door had flushed the toilet and I was then blasted with cold water.  Then I could hear them turn on the facet and I was blasted again with cold water.  Being able to shower after a cold run didn't necessarily mean I was going to be able to warm up.

I jumped out of the shower as soon as my hair was rinsed and tried to warm up quickly.  Even with all my clothes on I was still chilled to the core.  When I got back to my desk I put on my scarf and extra fleece jacket but it did nothing to help warm me up.

My friends at work thought I was crazy for running during lunch.  Back when we didn't have showers, my friends at work all thought it was gross that I didn't shower after my lunch runs.  Now they think it is gross that I shower in the work showers.  Guess I can't win.

Lunch runs??  Shower or no?

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Haha--some things you just can't win!

I have no problem running at work. If I do shower, my coworkers get to see me with wet hair. If I don't, I figure I'm not offending anyone by being a bit sweaty in my office. And if people think that's gross--well, so be it! I'd rather get my run in and gross out a coworker than skip my workout based on what they think of me.

Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner said...

I think running at work is fine - but I get so cold after a run I would need something warm to drink for sure!

BLESS YOUR HEART said...

Wow a lunch run would help so much with stress! What a great idea!!! Erica

BLESS YOUR HEART said...

Wow a lunch run would help so much with stress! What a great idea!!! Erica

Anonymous said...

First of all -- great job for running on your lunch break and giving the shower thing a go. I didn't have showers at my work and I used to run at lunch all the times. I would feel so gross after running in the foothills but you do what you gotta do. If the water is too cold I would just do what you did before and wait until summer time when a nice cold shower will cool you off. Don't let the peeps in your office deter you from running on your lunch break (shower or no shower) -- I think it's awesome!!

Amber said...

Nope! We don't have access to showers at work so I always go without. I can usually get myself pretty cleaned up and smelling pretty decent in the bathroom though! And luckily my co-worker often runs with me so there's two of us. Another lady runs from time to time at lunch and yet another woman I work with goes to spin class twice a week. So everyone at my workplace understands the not showering after lunch workouts thing ;)

Jeff said...

Almost all of my midweek runs are at lunchtime. If I don't run at lunch, I feel like I'm just wasting that time - and when you have a 2-year old you don't have time to waste!

kristen said...

When it is cold out I can get away with no showering after the lunch run- but in the summerI get WAY too sweaty to get away with not showering!

Allison said...

I have showers at work but I've never tried a lunch run because I'm afraid I don't have enough time to fit in the run and shower. I should at least try it once or twice though.

Jford said...

I wish we had showers at work, but luckily for me, my gym is 5 minutes from my office, so I can shower there instead!

Marlene said...

LOL, you really can't win!

That's too bad about no hot water. Yikes, don't know if I could withstand that.

Went out at lunch today and I am still frozen. That's the worst part!

Elizabeth said...

That does sound like quite the dilemma. I would have said definitely shower, but your shower experience sounds dreadful with the cold water and also not having much time. You're probably not sweating very much. Maybe in addition to the deodorant, bring a wash cloth, dampen it, and use it on your face, chest arms, etc.

Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

Yeah, I guess you can't win. We don't have a shower in our brand new office building (cost saver by not adding it) so I just sort of wipe off with a wash cloth and wash my face. I'm fine with it, but I'm sure some of my coworkers think I'm craaazy. That being said, I'm also not a super duper sweater so that helps.

Kim said...

Ha ha ha. No matter what, they think you are crazy, right?!

I actually really like the middle of the day shower when the water gets warm. It's like waking up a second time in the day - so refreshing!

But I do know what you mean about being chilled to the core. One time I did not take a shower after a rainy windy run and I was shivering so bad all day. I had to go get a latte (had to, ha ha) to warm up.

Rena said...

The cold water is a bummer. I think if I were you, I would stick to just a wipe down. If you can't win anyways, might as well keep warm.

Christine said...

OMG I could not handle a cold shower! Good for you! We do have a showers at work, I should run more often during lunch!

Chelsea said...

Maybe in the summer? I bet you aren't that sweaty after an easy winter run, and I can't imagine taking a cold shower after being outside.