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Once again, I have not responded to pain during a workout and have paid the price of injury.  My training had been going well after having been sick last month, and I was nearing the end of my tempo run over a hilly course.  I felt a twinge of pain below my right calf at the beginning of the last big hill, but I kept going.  The pain persisted as I climbed the hill, but I wanted to make it to the top, so I kept on pushing, although at a slower pace.  But this wasn’t the worst thing – I kept going on the flat, thinking the pain would subside.  It didn’t, but I kept going, wanting to complete the tempo time.  I walked the normal jog/walk 1 mile warm down, but the damage was done.  My leg was sore for the next 3 days.

It felt better on the 4^th day, so I played 9 holes of golf, walking, without any pain.  I rested 2 more days, and on the 7^th day, I decided to go for an easy walk/run.  I walked for the first mile, and then started to run slowly up a long, steep hill.  I felt a twinge of pain right below my right calf and slowed to a walk.  The pain eased and the hill flattened into a shelf which I walked as well.  Then the next section of the hill ascended even more sharply, and about halfway up this final part of the climb, the pain returned, so I walked the rest of it.  I jogged on the next section which was flat, and I was relatively pain free.  The rest of the run was downhill, but I walked most of it.

I made a fruit and protein smoothie right away and then elevated my legs.  I felt better about an hour later, so I decided to do my normal post-workout stretching.  I was fine doing the hamstring and quad high kicks, forward and back on both legs, and also with the bent-knee stretches on my left leg, but after a few bent-knee stretches on my right leg, I felt a severe cramp in my right calf, totally unexpected, because this was above where the pain has manifested itself.  I iced the calf area, with my leg elevated, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off for 2 hours and 20 minutes.  The pain did abate, but I had to hobble around for the rest of the day and evening.    

I went to sleep early and slept late, trying to give my body and the protein I had eaten a chance to repair the damaged tissue.

This morning the pain was about 90 percent gone, but I continued the 20 minute on, 20 minute off icing.  I also focused on eating protein.  With any luck I will be able to resume walking by the end of the week and start jogging on the flat (no hills!) the following week.  When I do that, if I experience any pain at all, I will stop immediately and walk back home, or call for a ride back, if necessary.  I need more time to heal as I age.  Maybe I will learn, one of these days. 

Please stay tuned for the next exciting Episode of Mr. Wugidgem and the Faces of Freedom!  Click on the bar below:

 

Thanks again for joining me today!