Try, Try Again

Apparently I had some preeeetty wrong info in regards to being sore and lactic acid. According to this article and many others, it is not lactic acid that causes muscle soreness. Our bodies use lactic acid during exercise as an energy source and once we're done exercising, the lactic acid is burned up and out of our systems. So I was wrong but now we all stand corrected :)

Today was a great day exercise-wise. Was able to go to the gym, run 3.1, and never once was sore. It had to have been the "hill" run I did on Sunday, which consisted of 6 "hills" or overpasses. I hadn't done that route in months and my legs went through some shock.

I also managed to get some good solid leg exercises in at the gym. I love having all that equipment and freaking people out when I do these step-ups onto a tall stool with weights in hand. Everyone thinks I'm going to jump on top of them...they wish!

Me, if I was blonder and wearing less clothing...so...not me!

I'm keeping this post brief, as I am very tired and really want to watch another Grey's Anatomy episode. I've been watching the episodes on Netflix and now everyone's relationships really make sense! I had started watching back in season 5 and would randomly see episodes here and there and nothing was cohesive in my head. Now I get it!

Before I go, I'll leave you with this wonderful piece of wisdom :)

Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer!

Yes, you are reading that correctly. My car, as I was driving home, told me that it was 82* outside! Glorious day of sun and warmth!

Even the tulips came out to say hello!

Besides having the glorious warm weather, one of my teachers cancelled our big lab practical that was supposed to happen tomorrow! Best news! Except, thinking I would need to come home and study, I left all my gym clothes at home. So I decided to run around my neighborhood instead once the temp came down a bit. At 5:30 PM, it was still around 80* and I was tired of waiting.

Eating blood oranges is a productive way to wait until it gets cooler outside.

Off I went, expecting all puppies and rainbows for this run. I had taken a day off to let my legs stop being so sore and even done yoga. Nothing could go wrong, right?

Ha! Stupid legs rebelled again and the lateral shin splints rose from the dead and came out to play. Not nice! I had to stretch every couple minutes to ease away some of the lactic acid. Eventually, around the 20 minute mark, the pain went away but my Achilles tendons were tight. A girl can't win! I kept going and finished my 3.4 miler in 28:12. Not too bad for stopping so gal'darn much!

Yay! I'm done! And sweaty! And smelly! And red!

I did some leg exercises, like a ninja...

Don't be jealous of my grillz!

Instead of walking like an Egyptian, I prefer to walk like a zombie.

This lactic acid buildup is cray-cray. I'm not sure what's going on, but I had this problem last summer when I was training for the half marathon I ended up not being able to do because of an injury (more on that later). I've been drinking a lot of tea lately, maybe that's a factor?!

What's the worst exercising injury or pain you've ever had? How did you deal with it?

Silicone Boobie Calves...Hawt

As far as running days go, this was to be a great one. The sun was shining, it was 50* with a slight wind, and I felt good. Then I hopped out of bed. My calves were sore in all the wrong places. I forgot to stretch them after my run yesterday and they revolted against me.

So I used The Stick (check out "Gear I Use" for the link and more info) and tried to massage out the lactic acid. It refused to budge. I gave up and went on my merry way, hoping my gastrocnemius muscles (heck yeah big scary anatomy lingo!) and Achilles tendon, as well as my soleus muscles, would calm the heck down and relax during my run. They did no such thing.

When one has to stop after 8 minutes of running to massage one's legs, it is annoying and disheartening. I wanted to turn back but I kept going and had to stop at least 4 more times to massage and stretch. I wish I could say I was going on a 10 miler because the amount of stopping wouldn't be too terrible. Alas, it was only a 3.4 miler :( Sad day indeed.

See those bruises? I made them trying to massage my legs :(

My calves felt like they had been transplanted with rock hard silicone boobies. They didn't move, were hard to the touch, and hurt. Yay fake boobie legs!

Go away silicone legs!

And so begins an all-day event of massaging my legs with The Stick. That lactic acid better leave or else!

Hurts so good!

I also had fun after my run, playing around with my camera, trying to get awesome Ninja Girl pictures. I am amazed I have friends...

Yeah...I'm a special one!

Anyone have any tips for making my legs stop hurting? Or how to prevent my normal insane lactic acid buildup?