My first 5k is in two weeks. I’m nervous and excited. In preparation for the big day, I wanted to do a lap around the Lake Harriet (the race site). Things were going well until my calf cramped up about halfway around. I tried to run through it, but it hurt too much, I had to walk the rest. In all, it took 45 minutes, so I’m hoping to beat that time on December 5th.

When I got home, I stretched and iced my leg. It continued to get stiff, so I thought I’d try an ice bath. Ice baths and I have a love-hate relationship. I put bubbles in the tub, because I thought it might make it more enjoyable. It wasn’t. There is honestly nothing more unpleasant than preparing yourself to enter a tub full of frosted-chilly bubbles. I actually screamed out loud. I wrapped my torso in a towel and gritted my teeth, got through the first minute and waited for my body to adjust.

Then I grabbed my book.

The water shifted, and shards of bitter cold (evil) tingles shot through my body. 25 minutes later, I read two chapters of Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven and I got out of the tub. I am now standing over the stove making tea.

The tightness did go away in my leg. In fact, both of my legs and hips feel good. Damn that bath.

I do have good news to report: I am continuing to run further than I remember. I’ve been working on pacing, so I don’t run too fast to start and huff and puff to end. I hardly look at my watch now (that is, until I’m gasping for air). I just pick the furthest part of the path I can see and run to it. It works. Yay.