"There's no place like home." - Dorothy [wizard of Oz]
Poets have long said [something like], The best part of a journey is coming home.
I see it more as a delicate "re-entry". Maybe the astronauts know what they are talking about. Jump back into your daily "life" too fast and you'll "burn up" [or out] but go in to easy and you fall off the radar never to be seen again. [yes, dramatic but remember what blog you are reading].
I feel as if I am suffering from this dilemma, I call PMDD. {Post Marathon [Trip] Dysphoric Disorder}.
Without a doubt, when I return from a marathon [especially in another city/state]. I seem to fall into a low-grade depression or funk. PMTDD. Which includes being tired, slightly moody, food cravings, increased sensitivity to criticism & sleepless.
Sadly, there is no KNOWN cure for PM[T]DD. However, I hear wearing 8 Gu packets in your belt loops, never having more than 3oz of any fluid in your carry-on /purse & wearing compression socks to the grocery store has helped some. No one really knows why these methods help but some believe it tricks the body into thinking it still has a marathon [in some awesome far away state] coming up.
When we come home we are the same person who left.
The only thing is . . we're not.
I think psychologists could explain PMTDD quite simply. . . while racing/running we feel free, ready to live it up, get that PR, try something new. While at home, we know there will be many work emails awaiting, a crap load of laundry, a dirty house, a relationship to address, a dog to pick-up, the light bulb that hasn't ever been replaced in the laundry room. I know, I know it's not really bad.
The run . . . the trip . . . life experiences . . . they change us. No, not in huge ways rather, small subtle ways. A lot of these changes cannot be seen until we are home. Which is why no matter how difficult to endure, PMTDD is a necessary part of the journey. our journey.
Does this mean me need to suffer through this alone? Heck, NO! Hello, why do you think I blog?! ;) I love to read about your journey. what you do. How you cope. I think we should hold web/video conferencing meeting [for extra support]. What the heck, let's all meet up in Boston [or NYC - YAY!] next year.
Ahhh crap, who am I kidding? I just signed up for [this] as I suffered through my PMTDD yesterday.
I am so not addicted to running.
