Today sucked...

I was pumped for my run today after work and because that would mean that I was done with Week 3 of Couch25K. That would mean I was one week closer to moving forward with my 5K and my phase 1 goal of Operation Red Bikini. Well a setback has claimed me instead.


This week I've been complaining about having calf pain/burning while running. I asked my loyal friends at Instagram, follow me @smglotzbach, and they said to research some calf specific stretches and drink plenty of water. So I researched and drank, then stretched and drank, then stretched some more and drank some more. I just knew that today would be better. I also talked to a colleague at school that is a runner and she said to try eating bananas to help with the burning. Got it! So I have my bananas, water, and stretching. What could go wrong?!

Everything! I started my warm-up and then did my first half of running. Some pain but I could push through it and I was still trying to keep my pace while walking and not get slowed down because of it. Then after the half-way mark and the next run started my legs just started with the burning again. This burning is in the back, along the sides, and front of my lower leg. So I stopped and stretched during the next walk cycle hoping that would help it. I started walking again and knew instantly that this wasn't going to work. The last run interval started and I made it two minutes before I had to stop and stretch again. This time the stretching took several minutes before I could start walking again. I felt like a total loser for not being able to finish my run, since I only had a minute left. I walked the rest of the mile and that was even painful. I stopped several times to stretch my calves and hopefully to relieve some of the burning but nothing helped.

I made it back to my car and was in tears. Today really sucked! I'm not moving on from Week 3. I'm planning on redoing Day 3.

I did some more research while letting the IcyHot melt into my muscles and think I have shin splints. I've had them before in years past but this is not the same feeling I had before. In the past it felt like the bone hurt but this is more of the tiny muscles that are next to the bone so I didn't think anything of it. So now I have more stretches to do to relieve them and have been told by my good friend Darci that I should be getting 100 ounces of water intake minimum. Today I'm measuring my water to make sure I get to my 100 and with some stretching I can run tomorrow and finish Day 3.

Here's hoping!