For as long as I can remember, my parents, grandparents, and older peers have always said that soreness is a whole other experience when you get old.
I’d heard it all about “getting” old and how things just don’t “work” like they used to.
Or, just maybe I can blame it on a more recent tragic event like the COVID-19 Pandemic?
I mean, I didn’t get COVID or anything like that but being shut in for nearly two years and working behind a desk more often than not certainly can shoulder some of the blame.
But, before I delve too far deep into what variable I want to blame this on – let me set the stage.
I got the chance to attend a high school friend’s wedding last week.
I took all the precautions I knew to take including staying hydrated, wearing flats instead of heels, and making sure I ate before having to leave.
I took it two steps further and packed a little Ziploc bag with Tylenol, Motrin, and Pepto Bismol.
Plus, I even took my asthma inhaler – just in case!
In fact, I stretched the limits of my clutch purse but made it work.
However, all of my preparations became moot once the reception transitioned from food and conversation to dancing and drinking.
I can’t blame the drinks for the soreness that came the day after – it was definitely mostly me being out of shape on the dance floor and a little bit realizing that really I should have had my dress hemmed so I didn’t have to spend the night holding it up and out of the way.
I’d only had three alcoholic beverages and was not in the slightest way inebriated at the end of the night.
Unfortunately, the charlie horse that woke me up the next day was making my calves feel like they were on fire.
Despite the fact that I drank water and Gatorade before I went to bed, I feel betrayed by my own body.
And, sadly, the soreness has elected to linger until press time and I’m just limping along the best I can.
Even then I’ve been nursing them with stretches, electrolytes, water, and a few painkillers – even though it seems like the only thing that’s going to help is time.
Don’t get me started on how my legs protested helping mom switch out our broken washing machine for a newer one.
I’m used to not having any real issues when lifting heavy things, but Monday’s switcheroo proved to just aggravate my aching muscles.
It really is true that lifting heavy things is best done with your legs, but I’d recommend not being sore while doing it either!
Overall, I guess that means I need to add stretching or warming up to my checklist before a big event like that.
Or, at least when I know I’m going to be dancing for a dozen or more songs!
But, speaking honestly, I’d rather have sore legs than a sore back or worse.
One of the other wedding attendees got injured somehow on the dance floor and an ambulance had to be called to the venue.
In retrospect of that incident, I’d say I got off fairly easy – even if it isn’t something I expected to endure.
Though I don’t know if this is really something to blame for getting older or camping behind a desk for two years instead of more time out and about.
Either way, I’m definitely going to work on adding more exercise to my life in the meantime.
It’ll just be in the pool because the heat is oppressive and doesn’t inspire me to do much!
