My legs are on strike. They’re currently threatening to secede from my body, unless drastic measures to reduce their pain and suffering are taken. Negotiations are at a standstill.
A great start to my week.
Saturday was Step Out, and it was fantastic! There were far more people there than I expected (I don’t know how many, but I’d guess over a thousand) and it seemed more people than the organizers expected as well. Our team alone was comprised of over 50 people! We made the third most money of any team participating, and Kyla made more money than any other individual! (Donations, if you’re wondering, are still being accepted here or here for a few more weeks. Help us get to number 1!) The route we walked ended up being a 6.1K (3.8 miles) instead of the 5K as planned, but it was a beautiful day and no one seemed to mind the extra distance. The group was so large that we ended up walking in the streets, because people could not fit on the sidewalk. Our route took us down a few streets in Riverside and then around Fairmont Park which is home to a rather large lake. Some people with children stopped to feed the ducks and geese, while others just kept trucking through. The entire almost 4 mile route took us around 80 minutes, I think (It was way too early for me to be paying attention to what time we began, but I know we were back at the start around 10:30). The line for the free lunch was incredibly long, but some of the vendor/sponsor booths had apples and granola bars available, so we snacked on those. By the time we got home at noon, I was exhausted. I ended up taking a 3 hour nap, and was still tired when I woke up.
As if I hadn’t punished myself enough for one week, I chose Monday night to start the Couch to 5K program. It wasn’t so bad while I was doing it. It hurt at first because I didn’t stretch properly before hand (how do you stretch your shins? Anyone?) and because I’m in desperate need of new running shoes. But after the first couple intervals, I was feeling pretty good. And by pretty good I mean I was sore and tired and wanted more than anything to quit, but still managed to keep going. When I got back to my apartment after those two miles, I collapsed on the floor in front of the couch and attempted to stretch. My legs had taken on the consistency of jello, so standing wasn’t an option. It got better after a little while, though I was still stiff when trying to walk around.
Yesterday wasn’t the nightmare I thought it would be, but considering I thought I would be calling in sick to work due to lack of functioning limbs, my expectations were pretty low. I was stiff and sore, but could walk without any noticeable limp or wailing. Getting up off my super comfy and squishy couch is quite the chore (and should be loads of fun when I’m hugely pregnant someday) but I’m able to do it. Going from a standing to a sitting position (and vice versa) are the worst parts. My quads are on fire and just flat refuse to cooperate. I’ve tried bribing them with ice cream, but even that isn’t doing the trick. They’re just going to love me tonight when I start day two of the program. I might have to get one of those Life Alert necklaces. “I’ve fallen and my legs refuse to pick me back up!”