Yesterday's run was quite uncomfortable, for at least the first 4 miles. My calves felt very tight and were sending PAIN! and STOP! signals to my brain with every step. It certainly didn't help that despite it being February, the temperature was 78F and humid. I can't believe this is winter in Austin. I could use a little more Boston right about now! Running in hot or humid weather is not my fav. In fact, it makes me noticeably slower and my muscles always feel sorer. Ideal running conditions for me are dry and 40-60F. Hook me up with some of that, weatherman!
Anyways, yesterday the calves were driving me crazy and I had to stretch them out when I was stopped at a busy intersection. I attribute a large part of the discomfort to the humidity, but I know what the other culprit is: Heels. Just the day before, I had worn wedge heels for a graduate student poster competition and industry networking event I had attended. You are probably thinking these were some really high heels if it caused serious calf pain, right? Nope, about 1.5 inches. They are Dockers and as far as heels go pretty comfortable, actually. I think the problem is really that I hardly ever wear heels. I know they look stylish, but they aren't exactly conducive to doing wet lab research requires a lot of walking and standing, basically 8 hours of it every day. Further, there aren't a lot of incentives to dressing my best when working in the lab. Nothing like a splash of bleach or e. coli to compliment the outfit...Also, heels usually hurt my feet, which compromises my running, and I often put running as a higher priority than style...what can I say? So needless to say, my feet are accustomed to flat, sensible shoes or going barefoot (which I do most of the time at home. Don't worry, I don't do this in the lab.)
Wednesday's poster session required 6+ hours without sitting, at least two of which required me to stand graciously in front of my research poster, smile profusely, and expound the awesomeness and optimization of recombinant cell line development. My feet were so tired and hurt so much when I got home Wednesday night. So much in fact, that Bailey and I had a special couch potato session watching lots of TV with our feet (and paws) up.
On the bad side, the day of heel wearing carried over tired and tight muscles into Thursday's run. On the bright side, I did win an award for my poster (the Baker Hughes Excellence in Research Award). Boyfriend won an award as well (his was from Dow), which made me very proud. We found out afterwards that the awards came with prize money from the sponsoring companies (sweet!) and were pleasantly surprised. Neither of us knew that when we had signed up to participate.
What will I do with my winnings you ask? Well, first I need to buy a new pair of dress shoes that are completely flat so I don't have a repeat fiasco of this nature. I'm not kidding! A BME friend of mine was rocking the cutest and most comfy looking pair of professional looking ballet flats and I am going to find me a pair! The balance of my winnings? Why, I will use them to lavishly spoil my adorable pup-daughter, of course.
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| Bailey (left) and her cousin, Ike (right). |
Congratulations, and good plan for your winnings!
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