Best for Babes

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

What have I done to myself?

About 2 and a half weeks ago my brother ran in the Oklahoma City Memorial marathon. He did the half marathon for at least the 3rd year in row. He's always been smarter and more athletic than I could ever dream of. He doesn't rub it in your face though (well, unless he's playing golf). I really thought I could get on the running band wagon. He was very supportive. With his encouragement I started the Couch-2-5k program 2 weeks ago Monday.

The idea is you can get in shape and train for a 5k running 3 days a week. Anyone can do 3 days a week. I work part-time, go to school full-time, have an almost 3 year old, and have a husband who is busy with work right now. But, I can do three whopping days a week. Right? Right!

The first Monday, I got out there and I could barely run 20 seconds without my shins killing me. I've always had shin splints when I run. I kept up with the program, doing what I could do. On Wednesday, I could actually run a full minute without stopping. (Okay, stop laughing.) By Friday, my shins still hurt quite a bit, but they were tolerable. AND, I could run for a full minute multiple times! I thought I could do this! I didn't run over the weekend (you have 2 days off). The next Monday, when it was time to run again, I really felt good. My shins hurt less. I felt like I could actually take strides and not just walk in a bouncy style. This was going to be good. I was going to run a 5k.

Then came Tuesday (a week ago). Tuesday. Oh Tuesday. How I loathe what you did to me. I did some yoga...bound & determined to be active most days of the week. It felt great. I noticed I could do more before I sank to child's pose. But, I had a nagging, aching feeling in my knees. I thought it would go away. Just a little ache. I was sure I was sore from Monday since I did really push myself.

Then came Wednesday. Running day. I laced up and hit the road. And. Oh. My. Goodness. Pain, pain, pain. My knees could not take it. Knee pain was new to me. I'm pretty overweight and have felt my fair share of pain, but never have I felt knee pain. Holy smokes. But, like a trooper, I walked for 20 minutes.

Thursday was a rest day, so I knew it would get better. Can I just say knee pain sucks? Because lo and behold it was still with me on Thursday. And Friday. Then, I had to work Friday night (no, I'm not a hooker, I'm a nurse!). And Saturday night. And Sunday night. Twelve hour shifts on hurting knees. All I can say is I was THRILLED for the furlough Monday night. I was not thrilled I ended up going to my parent's cellar Monday night, but at least I didn't have to walk halls all night long!

Now, it's technically Wednesday morning. I can't sleep. My knees freaking hurt. I feel old. I feel fat. I feel crippled. My dimpling, jiggly thighs will never be the same with this much pain. Of course it feels as if I'm going to live with this forever. It felt that way when I hurt my back last summer and now it's about 95% better (really only 95% when my lovely chiropractor works on it!).

Okay, so now I'm just griping because I really want to sleep. And run. And do yoga. And not feel old and fat.

Here's to hoping for healthy knees!

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