Aches and Pains

Maybe it's sympathy pain.  I laughed to myself when our coach warned of aches and pains the day after our game, but he was right.  I actually took a day off from running Sunday. That would normally mean I should feel rested and ready to run Monday.  Not so fast   One of the reasons I had no time to run was because I played in a vintage baseball game Sunday afternoon.  That's also probably why Monday morning I woke up stiff and sore.  Coincidently, I'm standing next to teammate Dr. John Jevitz in the picture.  I felt like I could have used his help.

But I was one of the lucky ones.  The sympathy pain was for the three guys on our team who all pulled up lame running to first base with hamstring injuries.  That's right, all three had the same injury in the same situation.  All are good athletes, but I couldn't help but thinking that our bodies often don't cooperate with what our mind remembers we used to be able to do.  I guess that includes sprinting to first base.

I couldn't help but remember the recent story I read in Running Times Magazine, about how many of us older runners really need more work on our core fitness, because we don't generally do as much other sports or activities as we used to when we were younger.  That's why we tend to suffer running injuries, because there is too much strain on the feet, quads, and hamstrings, without as much help from our core muscles in the middle (hips, abs, and butts to name a few).

Regardless, baseball is one of my favorite sports to watch.  You can't beat sitting out in the sun on a summer day taking in a game.  But, I haven't played organized baseball since Little League.  And, that was, um, a long time ago.  Sure I've played some softball as an adult, but even that has been years ago now. 

But, hey, I'm in pretty good shape.  I run marathons.  I've been doing speed work on the track.  Should be no problem right?  Well, maybe a little problem.

First, a little about the game.  This was vintage base ball (with the two words separated like they were in the 1870's).  The rules are quite a bit different from the modern game.  Let me give you a couple highlights.  First, the game is played with a ball about the size of a regular baseball, but a little softer.  And that's good, because we don't wear mitts.  You catch it barehanded.  There is no sliding or over-running first base.  A fly ball caught on one bounce is still an out. and the infielders must position themselves within one step of the base they are playing (except shortstop).   

We were blessed with lots of support from the community and our families.  My kids spent most of the time at the nearby pool, but they were there in spirit.   The team we were playing is part of the vintage base ball league, and they tour the area playing games.  Here is a link to the Chicago Salmons website.   http://www.chicagosalmon.org/ .  Our team, known as the Elmhurst All-Stars included a few younger guys, who tried to cover for the rest of us, um, more experienced players.   And all we had were a couple practices leading up to the one game we intended to play.

The first practice I was able to make was the day before the game Saturday morning, and about an hour after finishing my weekly long run.  By the time it was over I could barely make a fist because my hands were so swollen from catching the ball barehanded.  

Then came the game, and that included a lot more 'explosive' type running.  You know, like getting a good jump on fly ball in the outfield, or legging out a hit to first base.  And that, I'm pretty sure is why my Monday morning run was slow and uncomfortable.

But the game did provide a chance for me to meet a bunch of great teammates, which is something you just don't get to do often in a sport like running.  And one of my teammates happens to be a great masters runner.  Charlie Kern won the World master's 1500 meter title a year ago.  He missed practice Saturday because he was in New York for a 4 mile road race.  Not only did he win the masters competition in that race, but he flew back that night and was in uniform ready to go Sunday.  And he played a solid game.

Most of the team, in fact, played solid base ball, aside from the injuries.  Unfortunately, it was not quite enough to win the game, but at least we had fun, and the injuries can all be treated with ice.  Meantime, I had great time, and managed to survive without major embarrassment.  But I did get a reminder that I need a little more cross-training!  

Now back to running.  The summer racing season is just heating up.  And not just because of the 90 degree temperatures.  The Rock-n-Roll half marathon is just two weeks away.

See you on the roads.....

 

Comments

[Ken Bartels]

John...Great story and good to see you again...Ken Bartels.