For those who know me, my fits of stupidity will not be anything new to you. But, I need to relate one final (I hope) Coach Hays stupid moment for 2010. Yesterday, I was running a mile on the treadmill as the weather was kind of nasty outdoors. I was around the half mile mark when this Achilles’ tendon inflammation problem I have been fighting started flaring up.
It ticks me off, because I hate my “old man” afflictions. Out of blind, stupid pride, I stop the treadmill and kick my socks and shoes off then hit “Start”. I AM GOING TO FINISH THIS RUN. Besides, it’s only a bit less than a half a mile to go.
Well it’s not so bad to run barefoot, a little loud on the treadmill, but nobody else is home, so it won’t bother anyone. And you know those Kenyans run barefoot all the time, so it can’t be THAT bad.
With about a quarter mile left, there is a strange feeling beginning in the balls of my feet, but I keep going. There’s only a few more minutes to go, I can finish this. I need to finish this. So I tread on one step at a time. Finally, I am done and hit stop with a great sense of accomplishment.
Then it starts, the burning pain in the balls of my feet increases exponentially. I can feel the blisters forming on my feet. Oh, boy! I’ve done it this time.
Long story short, I am now a little smarter. I learn some hard lessons with every painful step as my blisters subside. I have learned the following.
- Fat, old guys should not run barefoot. Anywhere. Anytime.
- I need to be smarter about working out. Two days off of my feet was not worth the 1/4 mile I ran barefoot.
- Finally, I am not a Kenyan marathoner
Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve! Tomorrow we will start a new year and have a post on resolutions and the the start of the fitness new year on April 1, 2011. Last year’s post on the subject is AQUI
THE COACH HAYS 