i tried so hard to get my legs healed for thursday’s bridge run; alas, i was still a hobbled mess when we left the house.  we decided to go a little early and swing by and check out the guy’s store.  when we got there, his daughter offered to help fit me for proper running shoes and, before i knew it, i was purchasing the most expensive – and comfortable – shoes i’ve ever owned.  socks too.  unfortunately, this got me all hyped up to run the bridge and my legs just were NOT having any of that. 

we got to the parking lot and found there to be a much bigger group than last week.  since i was fully aware that i would have to walk, i gave hubby my blessing to run with the group and not be slowed down by me.  as i said last week, it is a little over a half mile from the parking lot to the beginning of the bridge (where i feel safer because of the concrete barrier that divides the sidewalk from traffic).  so, as the group started running, i brought up the rear pushing my angry legs to run until the start of the bridge.  i just know how ridiculous i looked.  in my mind, i was RUNNING!  i was swinging my arms and my face was filled with determination, but… my legs were barely speed walking.  it was pitiful.  and painful.  but i kept it up until i got to the bridge and happily settled into a comfortable gait.  i walked over the bridge and back as fast as my legs would allow.  before i was halfway back down, i had already been passed by half the group, done with their two laps and headed back to the parking lot.  as i neared the beginning of the railing, hubby caught back up to me and walked back to the parking lot with me. 

my legs were throbbing but not screaming as we left the parking lot and headed to the wing place.  we hung out for a good while and i thoroughly enjoyed meeting and conversing with the leader’s wife and some others that weren’t there last week.  i really like this group of people.  when we left to go home, my legs barely hurt walking to the car. 

i really was afraid that pushing my legs like that, after barely being able to walk around my little condo all week, i was going to worsen my injury.  friday, my legs felt great!  not pain-free but far better than they had all week.  i guess the coaches really do know what they’re talking about when they say, “walk it off!” 

sadly, six hours of being confined in a car was too much and they were hurting again by the time we got to orlando.  walking up and down the stairs at my sissy’s was excruciating last night and this morning.  since walking thursday night seemed to help, i accompanied my niece and nephew¹ on their morning dog walk.  i also went over to my cousin’s tonight and forced her to walk around her neighborhood with me.  by the end of the second lap, the pain was tremendous again but after laying on her bed for a while with my legs elevated on her ginormous frog, they’re feeling pretty darned good again.   so, i think i am going to add a daily walk to my elevate, ice, and advil regiment.  hopefully by the time we get home next weekend, i’ll be able to start running with the group again.