I began to think about my legs recently because I was bemoaning some of the problems I've had in the last year - physical therapy for sciatica and I just learned I have arthritis in both knees for which I will also go through some PT. Not fun. On the other hand, considering what I've put my body through over lifetime, what else could I expect - except a few aches and pains?
Aside from learning to walk as a toddler, convinced I was winning a race at a picnic for my dad's office when I was about 3 or 4, and falling off a bike once too often, I began to learn Scottish Highland dancing when I was 11 years old. I quickly found I was a natural at this very athletic, strenuous art. (If you haven't seen competitive Scottish Highland Dancing before, see a clip of the Highland Fling here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsHqvKeTm1c) There were six dances in competition: the Highland Fling, the Seann Triubhas, Sword Dance, Irish Jig, Sailor's Hornpipe, and the Highland Reel, samples of which can be found online by searching the dance names if you are curious. Just make sure you include "Scottish Dancing" before the title of the dance since you could be led astray. I was pretty good at them. I was very competitive in Southern California competitions and eventually danced at the Edinburgh Festival International competition in Scotland. I won a 2nd place in the Sword Dance. My Highland Fling at the Festival was probably the most perfect dance I had ever performed, but that's another story. I loved all of these dances, but they did take a toll.
In high school, I was a cheerleader for two years. I could perform the "stag" jump pretty darn high. Sort of like the one below, but mine was more sideways. Cheerleading was so much fun.
Then, I took a bunch of years off because I smoked - A LOT. When I was totally addicted to smoking (after 17 years), I quit cold turkey. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. To make up for it, I started running. I worked my way from a 15 minute mile to a somewhat decent 7:21, but only in one 10K race. I ran two marathons, many half-marathons, and 10Ks and shorter/track races wherever I could find them. I felt so free and strong. Despite all the running, I was a very poor stretcher. I paid for that lack.
I tore both Achilles tendons (at different times), I began to experience foot problems (plantar fasciitis). I tried to run through these problems since I rarely excused myself for pain, but I had to back off and I was not going to be relegated to one-mile runs. If I couldn't break a sweat, there was no point in putting my running shoes on - at least in my mind.
I lifted weights pretty aggressively to the point I actually achieved "washboard abs." Yup, I really had them, which I'm sure people who know me now would never believe. One of my favorite moves was the dead lift.
I even tried cross country skiing one year. I entered a short race at Mammoth Mountain, I came in dead last, but I finished!
Then, of course, I gained weight. My legs and feet complained. The sciatica had actually plagued me for a very long time, but I managed to ignored it. I mentioned to my physician last year and he said it wasn't going to go away, so he sent me to PT. It helped a lot and now I have tools I can use if it bothers me.
Last fall, I went on a long walk over very intense hills. It is about a 1-1/2 hour walk. I had done it before. This particular time, I found myself in an odd rhythm going down a long hill. It didn't feel right. At the bottom of the hill, I turned left to go the long up hill to my apartment complex. I only took a few steps and my legs gave out. I dropped to the ground. I knew my legs were trashed. I looked around for something I could hold onto to pull myself up. There was a small tree to my right. I struggled to stand, grabbed for the tree, but missed. I fell again. I didn't know how I was going to get home, but fortunately two people saw me laying on the sidewalk and pulled over to help.
More recently, my knees started screaming at me when getting up from a seated position or sitting down, going up or down stairs. X-rays revealed arthritis. I'm glad PT was suggested, because I sure didn't want surgery or shots.
I guess I shouldn't complain about the sciatica and arthritis. I've put my legs through a lot. They have served me exceptionally well.
So, that's a about my legs.
P.S. By the way, I have another blog now "The Curmudgeonly Catholic Convert" http://curmudgeonlycatholicconvert.blogspot.com/ . Check it out if you are so inclined.
