C25K

So my friend Poe and I decided a couple weeks ago we would start doing the Couch 2 5K app. The main reason was to get ready for the Tough Mudder in Seattle in October. After looking more into the Tough Mudder, I knew I wouldn't be able to do that this year. I would be sicker than a dog and there is no way Josh would be able to help with the kids much while I was recovering...that's the Navy Life way of course! I have continued on in the journey of C25K with Poe regardless. I am enjoying myself, though it's really hard to push through with my shin splints.

I was doing good with it until just the past two runs. I don't know if it's the fact I'm pushing an extra 80 pounds, especially on uphills (albeit slight uphills), if I'm running wrong or what...but the muscles around my shins tend to seize up and cramp after about 20 seconds of running. I can push through to 90 seconds, but when I start walking after that, I have to stop to stretch more...no matter if I stretch extra well beforehand or not.

Today was extra hard for me. We are on W3D1 which is run 90, walk 90, run 3, walk 3 two times through. I got through about 90 seconds of the first run 3 and slowed down to a walk (I'm at a canter/jog anyway) I was in so much pain that I wanted to cry, but I pushed through and eventually started running for the last 30 seconds or so. After walking for 30 seconds or so after, I paused the workout and stretched a bit. I cried. Not only the muscles around the shin are cramping, my calf muscles are cramping. This happened last time too, but it didn't make me cry. I did a short stretch and started walking again because another of our friends stopped walking to wait for me. I ran part of the next 90 seconds, walked, ran a few seconds of the 3 minutes, walked, turned around and ran the rest of the 3 minutes (it was now downhill). When I started walking the last 3 minutes, tears were flowing. I got them stopped and wiped before anyone else caught up to me. Caralyn was so worried about me that she put my iPad down, turned around onto her knees and kept asking me "mommy...are you okay? Mommy...do you need help? Mommy...it'll be okay...we'll get through it! You can do it mommy!" She kissed my hand and sat back down to finish her movie.

About halfway through the cool down my shins and calves were feeling okay again. I'm sure it didn't help that I didn't wear my compression wraps, but it didn't help wearing them last time either. I need to go buy the compression sleeves but alas they're $40 and I don't have that kind of extra money right now.

We will be waiting until Monday (not something we like doing anymore) to do W3D2 because we are pretty busy on Sunday...and it will work out to not have to work out on the 4th of July which helps me since I am taking my munchkins to the zoo. It's our 2nd annual 4th of July tradition. I hope it goes as smoothly as it did last year. With them a year older I'm contemplating bringing the wagon instead of the stroller this year. I think I'll leave it up to them on the day of. We have the canopy for ours so it'll be good either way.

Well, I need to go get ready for the rest of my day. I just wanted to get this out before the kids woke up from their car nap. Hopefully I'll have something else to write about tonight! We shall see!

Stevie