One of the tricky things about long distance running is digestive system management. After a few miles, the constant frolicking of the viscerals, combined with constant nutrition intake, can easily bring on “the runners trots,” and you really don’t want to get caught in this situation with no acceptable loo nearby.
In the past, “acceptable loo” has taken on multiple realities. If you’re out in cow pasture, a bush will work. I’ve snuck into construction zones to use porto-johns intended only for construction workers (and they usually do have toilet paper)! Service stations have amazingly always been quite friendly about letting sweaty, stinky runners use their toilets in exchange for nothing. In a pickle, I’ve even used a generally hidden ditch along the side of a busy canal. (Of course, I practice good camping etiquette in this case and dig a cat hole first.)
Perhaps the real problem is that all these impeccable miles of canal road that Phoenix offers is so lacking in outhouses in the first place. Runners flock to these roads, and are highly reliant on the 1 informal toilet per 3 miles. Even parks along the route often do not have any comfort stations for exercisers.
Today, my running partner Kim and I were both in a bad way. The Paseo Canal in South Chandler has nicely new paved canal roads, and only 1 official stop — a mile off the trail — in the 5 miles we were traversing out-and-back. By mile 7, we were both squirming. The only solution at hand was to perhaps check out the nearby Chandler Municipal Airport for their bathrooms. Kim is a pilot who frequents Chandler airport, so she had an idea of where we could go – but still, the airport was probably .75 miles away.
Finally, I saw a gap in the fence along the canal, and on the other side, a mechanic was standing outside his shop in the parking lot. And yes! He knew where a bathroom was – right there in the shop! It turned out they were machining airplane engines in the shop, and he offered to give us a tour some time. And sure, we could use his toilet any time we needed! We felt fortunate to both meet such an interesting specialist AND to find a bathroom! A mini-adventure!
Disaster diverted.
Calories burned: 1000
June 17, 2009 at 8:31 pm |
I have a route that I use on the canal that passed two circle ks. Did you guys start from Tumbleweed?
June 17, 2009 at 8:32 pm |
Should say passes…