The Best Laid Plans .....

"Pop" - that's the sound I heard Monday night while playing basketball. It's not the sound you want to hear coming from any body part! The yelps of pain as I lay on the gym floor were not pleasant either. Unfortunately, I strained my calf muscle pretty badly on Monday night while playing basketball. I ended up in the E.R. at the hospital and luckily was told that I had not torn anything, initially I feared that I had torn my achilles heel (it can always be worse.) It looks like I am out for the Rodes City run and I hate to miss that race, it's a great one.

This injury has reminded me of several things, the first of which is that I'm not 2o anymore. Secondly, I'm reminded how hard it is not to be out there running. When you get used to something (I've run for twelve years), it becomes habit - I actually believe running is a positive addiction. I've watched more TV the past two nights than I have in two months (this American Idol show isn't bad, though I don't care for the judges!) Finally, I need to remember not to overdo it. Training for these races takes a lot out of you, when you combine that with playing a sport like basketball, it can really be too much. I think this is what (literally) led to my downfall. Perhaps it's time to retire from hoops (the bricks I keep throwing up should have been hints as well.)

My goal is to race the Papa Johns 10 miler and the Mini-Marathon. I am doing everything possible to rehabilitate the injury right now including rest, icing, and elevation. I've gotten some great advice from running friends on how to handle this as well. My noticeable limp draws a lot of questions at work and a lot of "I told you this running thing was crazy!" from the non-running crowd. We'll see how things go and I hope to be out there soon. I am not feeling sorry for myself, but feel sorry for my wife Sarah - I tend to get grouchy when I don't run.

I wish everyone luck in the Rodes City run this Saturday.