This is one of my all-time favorite stupid-funny posts. One of my former players from 2008 still laughs about this when he sees me. Six New Year’s Eves later and I still am 100% sure of one thing in my life:
Coach Hays is still NOT a Kenyan marathon runner.
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 flares up. It ticks me off because I hate my “old man” afflictions.
Out of blind, stupid pride, I stop the treadmill, kick off my socks and shoes, and then hit start. No more shoe rubbing against my inflamed Achilles. I AM GOING TO FINISH THIS RUN. Besides, it’s only a half a mile to go. It’s not so bad to run barefoot. It’s 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. Only a few more minutes to go. I can finish this. I need to finish this. So I tread forward one step at a time. Finally, I am done and hit stop with a great sense of accomplishment.
Then it starts, a burning pain in the balls of my feet that increases exponentially. I can feel the blisters forming on my feet. Oh, crap! I’ve done it this time.
Long story short, I am now a little smarter.
I’ve learned 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!
THE COACH HAYS 