I couldn’t figure out what was going on the past couple of weeks. I was afraid that perhaps I was developing some over-training issues a couple weeks ago and backed off of doing any run programs (also because of schedule adjustments and illness). Got 3 charley horses in one week, which was alarming.

But I’m rested up now, have my schedule and work load figured out… and woke up with a charley horse starting right below my knee (usually they’re much further down the calf).

I didn’t get it at first. I hadn’t strained anything the past few days, hadn’t even worked out and gotten my heart rate up and muscles going like mad enough to generate that lactic acid. I was also eating much healthier and taking my supplements to make sure my potassium and magnesium stayed up.

So what the hell happened?

A quick search and I realized something: I haven’t been drinking my water for days. “Dehydration” is listed as a major component in why charley horses/muscle cramps occur, which makes sense because lactic acid buildup needs to be flushed out through stretching and proper hydration, too, after a heavy bout of exercise.

My water bottles all needed a good scrubbing out after being left around and getting smelly, and other than a few glasses to take my vitamins or after a hot morning out, I hadn’t had much water the past few days. Not nearly enough for proper hydration, especially since I had a brief stomach illness that would have required more electrolytes and hydration. Days of building up on that lack of water and electrolytes led to this.

I can’t believe I could forget to hydrate, but then again, that can easily happen when you fall off your routine. I’m getting back on track with exercise and my schedule tomorrow, so that will be helpful. And finishing scrubbing out those water bottles (and properly storing them) will help me remember.

I need to write on my fridge door to remind me of my goals again. It needed a cleaning, so I moved a lot of stuff and forgot to put it back on there. I have to write things down constantly or I’ll forget. But I forgot that I needed to write it down.

Annoying, vicious little circle.

That’s why developing and sticking to a routine will be necessary from here on out. 237.9 days until the Houston Marathon, and I can’t get any more injuries from forgetfulness or general dumb decisions.

And we’re talking mid-May in Houston. Summer has been here a couple weeks now according to the thermostat; our heat’s not gonna let up until October. Grabbing the water should be second nature each morning by now. And I’ll knock my morning sanity sauce down to two (big) cups of dark roast & creamer starting tomorrow. But we’ll get there.