The Returning Runner…

Act 64 – Waylaid by a 7-year-old…

My son had managed to reserve the most amazing Airbnb in Scottsdale for a family getaway, and grandma and grandpa even got to come along! This place was a crazy kid’s paradise. Seriously – splashpad, basketball, eight or so different playhouses, tricycle/bike paths complete with road signs, shuffleboard, swimming pool, pickleball, swing set, and a mini soccer field. My 7-year-old granddaughter Ava was messing around with the soccer ball now. A game with grandpa? Sure!

On about the third spirited kick toward my goal, I reached a little more than I thought I was going to have to and there it was. One of my old friends. My right hammy sent out a buzzing pain. Not enough to put me down or even to stop playing (hey, you have to grab grandkid time when you can). I continued without serious impediment, determined to not look too frail but also wanting to ensure that Ava came out on top. Oh no! They had just rung the breakfast bell and my kick which was intended to be just off the mark managed to sneak into the corner of the net. I had managed to mess up my hammy and probably permanently damaged my granddaughter’s self-confidence and any love for soccer. Ugh!

In the past few months, I had managed twice to strain a muscle just being stupid. First, inadequate warm-up, stretching, and electrolytes at a 10k and then no warm up at all attempting to dart around a miniature soccer field.

Today’s lessons:

·       If you are old, you HAVE TO WARM UP AND STRETCH.

·       You have to have electrolytes on a long run or warm day.

·       And, if you are old, you have to warm up and stretch. I have to say that twice as despite a brazillion reminders I seem to repeat mistakes…

Photo: A budding 7-year-old athlete