Workout: unplanned rest day wah wah wah :'(:'(:'(:'(
Okay, a quick update on my janky calf. I tried to take y'alls advice (THANK YOU!) and NOT PANIC (which means I screamed "DON'T PANIC DON'T PANIC DON'T PANIC" at myself repeatedly and congratulated myself on not panicking), and it seems there's been some improvement.
The estimable Holly suggested applying heat to the affected area. I don't think she meant for me to give myself minor burns, which I totally did (by applying a Nalgene full of boiling water to my leg and refusing to move it even though it hurt because DAMMIT I NEED SOME HEAT ON THIS LEG OR I'LL NEVER RUN AGAIN. Side note: have I ever told you how smart I am?), and I think it loosened up some. I'm almost limp-free, but can still very much feel it. All you cramp experts out there, how long do your cramps continue to hurt? I thought cramps went away after, like, two minutes. I'm just trying to figure out if that's what it is. I've still got stress fracture PTSD so my first instinct is to blame it on my bones.
I obviously didn't run today, and I don't think I'll run tomorrow even if I feel significantly better. Hopefully by Thursday I'll be all shiny and new!
[BREAKING: Holly's just commented that cramps can, in fact, be sore for days after. This is VERY COMFORTING. Thanks Holly!]
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Haha. Breaking news from Holly as you are typing a post. You crack me up. Yeah, I've gotten awful calf cramps in the middle of the night that wake me up while I am sleeping and leave my leg sore for like 3 days. What? Calves are weird. Stay hydrated! Drink lots and lots of water.
ReplyDeleteI just tried to reply to your comment on my blog, but I may have failed. VIQ (very important question): does my blog make you fill out those annoying words in order to leave a comment? I HATE those things and need to figure out how to switch it. OK-it is way past my EST bed time, but I think I am practicing since I will be in Eugene in 2 days.
DeleteResponse on your blog! I'm glad to hear cramp pain can last a while (although, obviously, I'm not happy you've experienced it. Although if I fail any more of your word verifications, I just might be...). I can't wait to see what Eugene's like!
DeleteUmm...right. Next time I'll be more clear about how you should apply head. [The things I take for granted...] In fact, I have two of those microwaveable grain-filled heat sacs that I could send you (if it didn't cost a zillion dollars to send things from Singapore to, well, EVERYWHERE, damned island), because it'll be...well...a LONG TIME before I stoop to using one of them in the tropics. They're a *bit* harder to burn yourself with. On the plus side, if you have a burn to contend with, perhaps you won't be *quite* so worried about your leg? And you do get points for multi-tasking: You could simultaneous heat and roll, using that Nalgene bottle...
ReplyDeleteAnd while I don't know 100% what you've got - the location and speed of onset are TOTALLY contra-indicative of a stress fracture. So keep breathing. And shouting at yourself, as necessary. And you can try digging your fingers into that area to give it a bit of a massage, if the Nalgene rolling isn't quite doing the trick. Alternatively, perhaps Logan would lend you Zach? ;-)
Keep up the good work. You're doing great!
Um, I think (hope!) Holly meant heat...
DeleteAhaha, best comment ever. I must immortalize it somehow (like posting it on an internet site! Wait a second...).
DeleteI really need to get something microwaveable that's intended for this purpose. I used to have a couple that could be either frozen OR microwaved depending on what you needed. They were awesome! And then because I felt I couldn't spare the twenty-cubed-inches in my suitcase, I threw them away when I moved back to Alaska. Smooth move! But you're right, I'm such an amateur.
I should clarify: a HEAT amateur! Although now I feel I've implied something vulgar which I totally don't think I meant to do.
DeleteOh, dear. Dying right now.
DeleteIf that won't teach me to proofread more carefully, I don't know what will...
[There's an emoticon for this, but I have no idea how to work those things.]
Ha! This has been a fun conversation. Thanks for the laughs, girls!
DeleteI had a mega cramp during a race once and it took days or probably over a week (if I remember correctly) for things to get back to normal. When your muscles contract that forcefully, it's bound to do a little damage that needs to be healed. When it starts getting less sore, maybe try some self-massage if it's not too much. Hope you're back to 100% soon!
ReplyDelete