Help Meeeee.

It has now been 764 days since I was last able to swim. At least, it feels like it\’s been that long! Of all the things I miss the most since this whole coronavirus thing started, it\’s being able to get to the pool and get my laps in. This is the second longest period of time I\’ve gone without swimming since I started almost 16 years ago. A few years ago, I had to take a summer off due to maintenance at my pool, otherwise I\’ve been swimming year round for almost two decades and going this long without getting my chlorine fix kind of stinks. 🙁

When the pool first closed, I was prepared to do a lot more running. I was thinking this would be a good excuse to start stacking up the miles and go for a run 3-4 times a week – which for me, is a lot. I felt great for the first two weeks, thinking this is what it felt like to finally be a runner! But then, I started having issues with my foot, then my shins, then my ankles, and now, everything below the knee just hurts!! I\’m back down to running MAYBE twice a week now because it just isn\’t enjoyable if I\’m going to be in pain.

I know plenty of runners read my blog, so I need your advice. I\’m stretching plenty before I go for my runs and I try to walk around a bit when I\’m done to cool down. But my legs just don\’t seem to want to loosen up anymore! I am planning to do a virtual half marathon next weekend, so I\’m still trying to go for a little bit longer runs in order to be ready for it. I went for a six mile run on Wednesday, and the first two miles I felt so horrible, I was ready to quit. I had to stop and stretch at one point, and a little while later, I even had to stop and walk a ways. My legs felt like they had cinder blocks tied to them and I couldn\’t stop pounding my feet no matter how hard I tried.

You people who run every day, what am I doing wrong?? I really do like running, so I would like to keep doing it more frequently. Especially since I haven\’t been able to swim for a few weeks now. I\’ve always used exercise as a stress reliever, but it makes it hard to relieve stress if I\’m getting more stressed trying to work through the pain.

If it keeps up, and the pool doesn\’t open soon, I\’m tempted to jump in the lake to get my laps in and give my joints a break. I\’ve been tempted a few times already, and it\’s not the cold holding me back, it\’s the critters! I don\’t like not knowing what is around me while I swim. So please, for my own sanity, everyone say a prayer that the pool opens back up soon. The lack of chlorine in my system is making me crazy.

I welcome any advice or pointers anyone can give! In the mean time, I\’ll try my hardest not to lose my mind. Pray for me. I\’ll pray for y\’all, too. We\’ll get through this (I hope!).

Until next time! 🙂

Megan Reiffenberger