Since completing my first half marathon last week, it seems that some brain cells were damaged in the process. Usually I would blame my “bonehead moments” on my puppy but this time I will blame it on all the extra brain activity that took place during the half marathon. Sure, running may not seem like it requires a whole lot of thinking but believe me, a whole lot of thinking actually takes place. It requires so much focus, in fact, that it reduces your post-race focus capacity. I’m not sure how long this will last but I’m hoping it’s short lived. Take a look at the bonehead moments I’ve had since finishing the half marathon (most recent bonehead moment just a couple of hours ago):
1. FAILED TO USE CAUTION WHEN PUTTING ARM WARMERS ON. I bought some new Brooks arm warmers which are great for running in the chilly fall temperatures. However, when I put them on, I had to tug on the top of the arm warmer to get it high enough up my arm. As I was tugging with all my might, my fingers slipped and I hit myself in the mouth. Ouch. When I was done swearing and wiping the blood from my lip, I tried again. I hit myself again. Damn it. The next time I tried, I turned my head toward the opposite arm and was able to successfully put the oh so dangerous arm warmers on my arms. My advice – when putting arm warmers on, don’t look down to see what your hand is doing. Look the other way just in case your fingers slip.
2. NEGLECTED TO OPEN GARAGE DOOR BEFORE BACKING CAR OUT. Yeah, I said it. Make sure your garage door is ALL the way open BEFORE backing your car out. As I was backing out of the garage, I heard a terrible crashing sound. My first thought was, “Dear Lord, please tell me that wasn’t one of those little dudes from the neighborhood. I told them about that blind spot.” I didn’t hear any screams so my second thought was that I ran into the trashcan. Neither had happened. When I got out of my car to assess the situation, I saw the garage door sitting on top of the roof of my car. Crap. That’s not good. Luckily, I did not break the garage door and the roof of my car was scratched but intact. Now that I think about it, I should have taken a picture…it would have been a nice visual for this imageless blog entry.
3. FORGETTING TO PAY ATTENTION TO MEAT PACKAGING. You know how when you buy meat at the grocery store the butchers put it in those Styrofoam trays then Saran Wrap the crap out of it? Well, when you buy hamburger meat for, let’s say, chili, don’t just cut open the Saran Wrap and dump the contents of the meat in your pot and start cooking. Did you know they put a little absorbent plastic-y pad under the meat so the blood doesn’t slosh around inside the package (gag)? Yeah, that little sponge-like item does NOT go in your pot of chili. It will not enhance the flavor! I unknowingly threw that little sucker into the pot of chili but luckily, was able to retrieve it before the plastic melted.
4. FORGETTING PIN (number) AT THE GROCERY STORE. I’ve had my PIN for how long? There are how many digits to commit to memory? I use it how many times a week? That’s supreme boneheadedness right there….forgetting my PIN in the checkout line at the grocery store. So embarrassing. I have never forgotten my PIN before. Why now?
5. FAILING TO WALK GRACEFULLY ON WET, SLIPPERY SURFACES. So a couple of hours ago I took a nice leisurely spill on the wet steps while leaving work. My boot heel slipped under my foot, my ankle rolled, I fell on the ground, I picked my sorry ass up off the ground (mainly because I knew I could be seen on the security camera), I hobbled back inside and called out for a little help. It was pathetic and it was painful and it made me tear up a little. I cried not only because it hurt but because I didn’t see myself running anytime real soon (and I just bought myself some new running shoes yesterday, too 
).
There you have it…the potential dangers of thinking too hard when running a half marathon. Take heed fellow runners. While running, make sure you don’t use up all of your brain juice…leave some so you don’t experience post-race focus capacity issues.
Has anyone else experienced post-race focus capacity issues………or is it just me?! 
slowgirlfastdog 