Team member down!!

This morning Danielle e-mailed me my leg for the relay. I got a little nervous (and a lot psyched) when I looked at it (~18 miles give or take over however long the race is). Little did she know I can barely walk right now. Surprise Danielle!

I sustained a monster calf cramp/strain on Friday. I was in the middle of a swim. Who knew cramps ACTUALLY happen and you legitimately shouldn't swim alone?? It was so strange b/c I swim alone in this pond (about 1/2 a mile across and up to 102 feet deep) all the time and this is the ONE time I was actually with other people. I had linked up with a local tri group and I was the newest, slowest, and there with the guy I've been seeing (we were about 7 hours into our relationship at this point) who I didn't want to look completely spazo in front of.

But all of a sudden my calf convulsed. And didn't uncramp. I knew this was not a good thing (b/c of the excruciating pain) and tried to stay calm. I legitimately considered calling for help (in a calm way, like, um, hey, pay attention to me. Pay attention to me!) but I didn't want to be the weakest link (even though I guess this is WHY people swim in groups and probably half of the people I was with had been lifeguards or navy seals) so I just struggled onward freaking out in my head. And why was the muscle STILL IN THE CRAMPED POSITION?!?! UNCLENCH!!! AHH! UNCLENCH!!

When I got out of the pond we all went to breakfast and people were teasing me saying, Hey, pick up your feet! Why are you dragging your leg? B/c I got this major leg cramp and now it hurts to walk! Sure! Whatever. I mean, who gets leg cramps that badly? Except three days later my calf is still bruised and swollen and painful to the touch. Yuck. I am pretty sure I was dehydrated (coffee and wine) as the cause of my discomfort.

Danielle and team, I promise I will rehydrate myself and heal up! Long live DaFEET!