Binge Barefoot Running?
I think I am on a writing binge.
Seems I have been a binger all my life. When I smoked, I would binge for several
months and then quit for long periods of time. Drinking alcohol followed the
same pattern, often with disastrous results. Now, it seems like I have put all
my obsessive-compulsive behavior towards barefoot running which has turned out
to be a two year binge (on top of the 13 year, on again off again binge of
regular shod running). Not sure if two years qualifies as a binge, probably more
of lifestyle change by definition. This got me thinking, so what is a binge?
When binge is Googled, the following is one of the definitions:
orgy: any act of immoderate indulgence
Hmmmm ... so, what about "orgy" (that conjurs up some images, eh folks?)? Well,
besides the obvious sexual conotation, here's what the Googler states:
any act of immoderate indulgence; "an orgy of shopping"; "an emotional binge";
"a splurge of spending"
These generalizations have a bit of negative implication. Seems as if they imply
these are manic manifestations of otherwise normal activities, feelings, etc.
Very possibly "an orgy of shopping" might result in regrets and a stop by the
merchandise return counter the next day. An "emotional binge" might result in
asking forgiveness from the unfortunate benefactors.
So, could my barefoot running be regarded as a binge? I suppose so if I had
regrets about it afterward. Retrospectively speaking, the only regret I have is
not trying it before two years ago. I have some regrets about my shod running --
I regretfully remember the injuries I incurred by overdoing it in shoes. My
sloppy form led to knee problems, achilles tears, shin splints, and a general
disatisfaction for the activity I loved so much.
With that said, maybe I'm cured! That means barefoot running, for me, has never
been a binge but instead a great lifestyle change that has resulted in no
regrets only a pleasant history of memories up to where I am today.
Which leads me back to my writing binge. Do I have any regrets for writing this
along with other recent submissions? Nope. That would lead me to believe that I
am not on a writing binge, but very possibly I am reawakening the need to write
(my degree was in journalism/creative writing). Or, am I in denial and someday I
will reread this stuff and think, "My God, I owe these people an apology!"
Don't count on it!