21 Bizarre Side Effects of Becoming a Running Junkie

21. The "Everything Feels Like a Hill" Delusion

After tackling significant elevation gains or losses during a long run, flat ground can momentarily feel like a deceptive incline or decline. Your proprioceptors, the sensors that tell your brain about your body's position in space, become temporarily recalibrated to extreme conditions, making familiar paths feel subtly different.

The Unseen Marathon: Beyond the Finish Line

So you thought logging miles was just about fitter lungs and sculpted legs? Think again. The journey of a running junkie is a profound transformation, subtly reshaping not just your physique, but your very perception and internal landscape. From the phantom itches of recovering muscles to the unexpected clarity of sound, and the almost ritualistic approach to pre-run bowel movements, these bizarre side effects are the true testament to your dedication. They're the unsung chapters in your personal running memoir, proving that committing to the pavement carves a path far more intricate and fascinating than any Strava stat can capture. Embrace the oddities, for they are the secret language of a body truly alive and deeply in love with the run.