Cory and I ran a new course down Kuhni road, looping up over the overpass by the truck stop, heading back north past the pipe plant to State, and back west over the two overpasses. I was thinking it was about 8 miles but it turned out to be just over 7 miles (7.13). The weather was great, sunny in the low 50's. A couple of miles into the run I could tell something wasn't right in my stomach. About 4 miles into it I start feeling some stomach cramps. About mile five I saw the small headquarters building of the Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company. I figured they probably had a restroom I could use and decided to stop. I sent Cory on to finish the run. The receptionist pointed me to the men's room and it was a great relief...literally...and I continued the run. Unfortunately, about 1/2 mile later the cramping returned. I walked most of the two overpasses and my stomach calmed down. I tried running the last stretch back but didn't make it far before the cramping returned. I finally made it back and found the nearest restroom. My stomach didn't feel quite right the rest of the day. I had a similar experience on a run with Tom last year. That day it was very hot and we were pushing the pace pretty hard, but today it was cool and we weren't really pushing that hard. I hadn't eaten anything unusual recently. I wish I could put my finger on the cause so I can avoid such unpleasantness in the future. It may have just been a mild case of stomach flu both times. Ignoring the unpleasantness, I enjoyed this new 7 mile course. Crossing the "busier than I expected" overpass was a little tense, but not too bad. Most of the run was on quiet rural streets.
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