Subtitle: Portland Public Parks Report Appalling Lack of Public Restrooms
I just finished a great 6 mile run. Well, almost great. It is warmer than I thought outside and about 1/4 mile away from home (at the beginning of the run), I realized I really had to pee. I thought about going back, but I knew if I went back, I might feel the urge to check my email. I also knew that in about 1.5 miles, I would be running by a park, so I would just stop there.
It was great, though, because I was feeling great today (other than the bladder issue). My first mile came in at 10:22 – which is just where I like to be for a mid-distance Friday run. Mile 2 came in at 10:02. I was concerned that I was going to fast (I was so close to the park, and was getting eager), but I never really ran out of steam.
Park #1 – no visible bathroom
Park #2 – no visible bathroom
My 3rd mile was a bit slower (10:39) – I was actually running THROUGH park #2 looking for a bathroom. I didn’t find one. (I did find a water fountain though – which brought up an interesting conundrum…I am very thirsty, but also very much have to pee….what to do!)
Park #3 – no visible bathroom
Mile 4 was my desperate mile – I came in at 9:42. After that, though, I knew I was headed home & would be out no more than 20ish minutes. Also, I think the hot & sweat made my body reabsorb the urine (ewwwww), so the urge finally passed.
Park #4 – no visible bathroom
Miles 5 & 6 seemed super hard & slow, so I’m surprised that I came in at 10:45 (well, that’s not a surprise) & 10:01 (SURPRISE!) for those.
Overall, finished in 1:01:37 – a great time (for me) for a 6 mile mid-afternoon run in the summer.
Now – it’s finally time to shower & drink some beer.
awesome job girl!!! esp for the heat and bathroom issues
have a great weekend!
I hate searching for a bathroom while I’m running! I used to plan my runs around where I could find bathrooms easily because you never know when the urge may strike.
I hope you enjoyed your beer…with a bathroom nearby!
gazelle reply on June 14th, 2009:
I need to go on a scouting mission to find out where the bathrooms are – there have to be some in one of these damn parks.
You are so good…. I would have found a tree:)
gazelle reply on June 14th, 2009:
If there had been any kind of hiding behind a tree, I would’ve – but by the time I got to a woodsy enough area to hide my bare ass, I was close enough to home. Also, I’m more shy than you!
What’s up with that? Could have gone in the woods. I think woods are cleaner than public restrooms anways. SOme speedy miles in there:)
gazelle reply on June 14th, 2009:
If I had been in the woodsy park, I totally would’ve – and of course, I know where the bathrooms are in the woodsy park, anyways! These were lovely parks with beautiful trees that offered no shelter or concealment of any kind. I need to go back when I’m not running & find the bathrooms that have to exist somewhere!
next time just pee behind some bushes – or behind a fountain – or behind the slide.