I pee outside every day. I know, to some people this is TMI. However, to a runner, I think this is pretty normal. Right?

I don’t know. It took me 29 years to think it was ok to pee outside. That was about 15 years of my running life. It all started because I had my daughter who I wanted to spend EVERY SINGLE moment with (new mom hormones, I suppose). I also wanted (NEEDED) to run.

Sweet Currie, 4 month birthday. How could I not smother this one with love? Wow, my hair was really long there. Should I go back to the long locks or keep it shorter?

So, I would wake up super early, down 40 oz of water, a cup of coffee, and an almond butter sandwich and head out the door within 45 minutes, before the little angel or husband awoke. You can imagine what 40 oz of water and coffee will do to a person, and I  was lucky enough to run on wooded trails every day, so it was easy to find a secluded place to squat.

Peeing outside is sort of like dropping out of a race. It’s hard to imagine doing the first time, but once you do, it’s sitting in the back of your mind any time you feel the urge. -Me (Yep, write that one down in your book of inspirational quotes!)

The only marathon I didn’t finish. Mentally and physically finished at 16. Not a proud day.

Before you know it, I was peeing outside every day. This has been going on for 2 years now and it causes some interesting moments.

With husband, on the rare occasion that we get to run together:

• “Seriously? We JUST left the house.”
• “It took you 30 years to learn to pee outside, now you do it every day for fun.”
• “Is that really necessary?”

At races:

• Men seem to claim the obvious hidden pee spots, takes awhile to find some privacy.
• People who haven’t opened their mind to peeing outside (yet) will always be the ones to see me and give me rude looks, loud sighs, etc.

General family and friends:

• “Mommy let’s just pee outside like you do when we run.”
• “Oh, there’s no restroom at this playground? I’ll just go back in the woods.” (Awkward stare from adults present…)

I know I’m not the only female who pees outside (or at least thinks about doing it) regularly, especially in the marathon/ultra marathon scene. In fact, check out this tweet from Emily, the amazing distance runner, who just placed 1st female and 3rd overall at the Can Lake 50.

I could go on, but it’s time for a run. So…

Tell me about your outside restroom adventures! Do you pee (or poop!) outside on a regular basis? Would you scowl if you saw someone doing it? Any other gross runner habits? Aren’t you happy I didn’t include a pic of me squatting? Ew, hope no one caught that on camera!