Goodbye, my old friend.
As I have been working out, trying to get into shape a little bit, working to make sure I lose some unwanted pounds and gain some much needed energy, there has always been a thought in the back of my mind…
If I can get back into shape and work on my core muscles to support my bad back, could I play basketball competitively again?
Well…I found out today. I always go to the gym a little bit early to warm up for my spinning class. My usual routine is to stretch a little, shoot around on the court a little, go do some sit-ups and then go to the class. Today, while I was shooting around, I tweaked my back. It’s not one of the “I can’t move at all because the pain is shooting down my leg!” types of tweaks. Actually it’s just a light aching in my back. Probably just a small pain that I will have to deal with for a couple of days. However it makes me nervous.
Everyone has pain of some sort. I know I’m not the only one. And I’m definitely not the only one with back pain. But the absolute worst pain I have ever felt in my life (and that includes having passed 2 kidney stones) happened to me last New Years in Jacksonville. My sciatica and a bulging disk in my back combined to force me to walk with a limp and, that evening in a hotel, I couldn’t lie on my bed. I had to sleep in a chair with several pillows propping me up. And the worst pain I have ever felt? I was trying to get comfortable and I sneezed. That sneeze hurt so bad (sending a searing pain down my entire right side of my body) that my whole body began to shake. I had to crawl to the shower and lean against the wall while letting hot water spray on me to calm my nerves. It was easily the most scared I have ever been.
So today I tweaked my back a little. I’m not scared of it, but it does make me rethink the whole idea of getting back on the basketball court and playing a pickup game with 9 guys I don’t know. I don’t think my well-being would be in their best interest and I know I would always be aware of the fact that I could hurt myself even worse if I was going in for a layup and got hit or if I was playing defense and someone set a pick and I ran into it. It’s just not worth it.
So now I know…my basketball days are officially over. Today I am feeling a little disappointed. However I’ll take disappointed over the pain that I had in January any day!
A Round World Through Square Glasses 
😦
I feel so bad about this, Alan. But, please don’t find a chair and spend the rest of your days there. I think in order to be a productive maturing adult, you are on the right track. Now if you can just get your dad off the golf course a couple days a week!!! My retirement is at stake, here. Love…mom
Somehow I doubt my wife or kids will allow me to sit in a chair for too long! LOL As for Dad and golf…it’s hopeless…you are on your own…
Your mom is right – don’t let that keep you from being active. Maybe you can’t play b-ball, but I’m sure there are things you can do that won’t aggravate that area.
I plan on continuing spinning and hopefully lifting weights. I figure some golf here and there won’t hurt either…
They aren’t truly over Alan, you have a son. Now your role is to teach him, play with him. He’ll get better as he gets older, eventually getting good enough to beat his Dad. Hey, maybe he’ll even play in school and wear the number 10 🙂
Love you!!!!!
No…he’ll never beat his dad. LOL
P.S. Remember your sisters! Ava may want to play, too!
This is a cop out so you don’t have to face me on the court anymore…my record of 1 – 4,278 is sad. If we play the only thing that could get hurt is my pride.
I said I couldn’t play COMPETITIVELY any more. I don’t consider you to be competition…
Aww, goodbye dear old basketball. 😦
You can still play some ‘horse’ or ‘around the world’ with your son though, right?
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