Dehydration = Disappointment

First, I warn you that I am watching my Carolina Panthers take on the New Orleans Saints as I write this. So, if suddenly things stop making sense it is probably because I lost my train of thought while yelling at the TV…so bear with me…

But on an up note we are currently winning. Almost half-time…I hope we can hold on. What a feather in our cap that would be. But so far it has been an interesting day…for me and football. I mean Tampa Bay got their first win of the season today…they beat Green Bay. Didn’t see that one coming…Brett must have VooDoo’d them or the football Gods are upset or something. The Ravens lost to Cleveland…didn’t see that one coming either. Guess my pick of the Ravens for the SuperBowl was misguided – of course that was preseason and things often change in regular season. But looks like it might very well be my Colts in the SuperBowl. They maintained their winning streak by squeaking by the Texans. Peyton back in the SuperBowl…that would be SWEET!!

I know what you’re saying…enough football…you have a whole separate page for that. What we want to know is how was that 9-mile run? I bet you’ve just been holding your breath all weekend just waiting to hear how it went…LOL!!

Well, you can breathe again. It went downhill…FAST!! Let me start with yesterday.  I didn’t get to go run yesterday. I was just really wiped out and didn’t feel good when I got up. I thought at one point I was going to have to call in to the grocery store. And since yesterday was my only hours for the week (which is starting to be a real problem) I really didn’t want to do that.

So, I decided to hold the run for today and laid back down yesterday morning.  That seemed to work.  I still didn’t feel great when I started my shift at 2:00 p.m. but made it through my entire shift.  Yeah…another $50.  But as it turns out I’m not the only one having this issue.  I’ve talked to a couple of different associates who are also just getting one shift per week.  One has spoken with the store manager.  Her explanation is that they overhired…intentionally.  They expected some of the new hires to quit or be fired fairly quickly and they would still have enough employees.  Sounds reasonable. Unfortunately, no one has quit or been fired…so hours are hard to come by. 

I’m going to try another grocery store this week and see if I can get a part-time job there but I’m not ready to spend a lot of time looking just yet.  I really do like the people I work with and the store I work in…just need more hours.  So, I’ll sit tight – for now – but I may end up being one of the first to quit…LOL!! But that’s okay I know several people that would love to have my 5-7 hours/week. 

Okay, back to the run. So, after resting Friday afternoon/yesterday morning I seemed to be recuperated from whatever “bug” was wearing me down.  I’ve felt pretty good today.  Got up this morning and was looking forward to running 9-miles.  Anybody think they would ever hear me say that…   But I really was…  I ate a good breakfast, got myself together…and headed out the door. 

And it was beautiful on the lake.  I set-up the iPod, the camelback and after a 5-minute warm-up I was off – expecting a good run.  But I realized pretty quickly that I was in trouble.  Within the first 10 minutes of running my calves started cramping and my knees were in serious protest.  I was like WTH?!?!  At first, I couldn’t figure out the problem.  I’ve got new shoes…I’m on flat territory…so I pushed on.  Hoping that the cramping would work itself out.  It didn’t.  Yeah, I know…ususally doesn’t. 

Now, if you are a runner you’ve probably already figured out the problem.  And if not today’s title gives you a really BIG clue.  I have learned that cramping and joint pain is usually a sign of dehydration.  And as I thought about how much water I drank yesterday and Friday…I realized it was not enough.  Not near enough…DAYUM!!  I tried sucking water from the Camelback (which is going to be a great asset on those long runs) but sucking the water as you run…is a little late.  A little too late…

I went across the dam.  Walked once on the way across hoping to “walk it off” and then headed back.  I wasn’t any better.  And was getting worse with every step.  I made it back across (like I had a choice…had to go back to the car…lol) but took a couple of walk breaks on the return trip.  All total I did just over 3 miles.  I was very, very disappointed.  But I’ve learned that pushing yourself through those type of situations will do more harm than good.  Better to call it a day…get hydrated…try again tomorrow.  In fact, I’m having to put heat on my right knee now…and will be switching to ice here shortly.  My entire right leg is very sore. 

But I decided that today should not be a total loss.  I came home and got busy on some other projects.  Worked on my laundry, finally got my grocery shopping done (which I’ve been putting off all week), got myself together for tomorrow…and now I’m getting a little R&R…while I heat/ice my knee…LOL!!  So, today’s run was a bust but lesson learned…really, really gotta pay attention to how much water I drink on those days before the long run.  I knew this already but guess I got a “gentle” reminder today…

Hopefully, I can get hydrated today…I’ve been sucking water since I got home…and have a good run tomorrow.  Hoping I didn’t do any lasting damage today and miss my run tomorrow.  And I’m going to try…try very hard to get tomorrow’s run done in the morning.  I have some other things I want to do in the evening so hoping to find my motivation when the alarm goes off at 5:45 am… God, where do you find motivation at that time of day…   I’m not sure but I’ll look around…must be somewhere because lots of people do it everyday.  Until next time, hope you are hydrated and motivated!