Something's not right

Last week was pretty good, up until Thursday night. I still managed to do 20 miles battling a yucky infection. But before this morning, I hadn't put any miles in all week. Then the day before yesterday, just as the infection seemed to be getting better, I started having horrible, debilitating cramps in my left leg and foot. I used to get these cramps a while back, and then they went away for a while. Now they're back and it sucks. I can't move and I just want to cut my leg off. Even stretching it out is so painful. Andy and I can't figure out what it is. He thought maybe peripheral arterial/vascular disease, which might also explain why my hands and feet are always so cold, even in the dead heat of summer. But I really have no risk factors for that. From what I've read, it could be compartment syndrome, which usually affects the side of the lower leg, which is where my leg freezes up. I have to get it checked it out.

I didn't think I'd be able to get out of bed today but it's already Thursday and I hadn't run since Saturday, when I did a pathetic 4 miler. Today was hard. I felt as though I hadn't run in months. I couldn't get enough air and my calf just cramped up on me from the get-go. Two miles into it I was ready to stop. BONK! No!!!!!! I haven't bonked in years! YEARS. I did 3 miles and stopped for some water and then did another mile. Usually, I'll just run all the way home no matter where my run actually ends, but today I had to actually stop and walk the rest of the way.

Three hours later my calf is still incredibly tight and just cramped all the time. This really sucks.

Stats from the Garmin later....

Run time: 00:38:01

Distance: 4.01 miles

Avg. Pace: 09:30 / mi

Best Pace: 07:47 / mi

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Saturday, December 10, 2005

Run time: 00:36:21

Distance: 4.01 miles

Avg. Pace: 09:05 / mi

WEEKLY TOTAL 12/4/05 - 12/11/05: 20 miles