An anniversary of sorts

I don’t know why I am this way, but I’ve always been a numbers guy. I still remember my first phone number. I could still call a dozen houses in my home town from when I was growing up because I still remember the numbers. I realized earlier today that another number stuck out to me…February 17. Huh…

Five years ago today my life changed forever. I was a member of a different gym at the time, Lifetime Fitness. Part of the reason I joined Lifetime was because of the pools…I had great ambitions of learning to swim better and burning large quantities of calories in the pool. Great intentions…poor follow-through. The second main reason I joined Lifetime was for the basketball court. I loved being able to get a great workout in without having to run in place for an hour. I got to jump, cut, guard, shoot, and hustle my way to a good workout. I’d gotten hurt before…I played too hard to keep from getting hurt from time to time. Nothing more serious than a sprained ankle, though.

On this night five years ago, I left my office, drove straight to the gym, and put my name up on the board to join in with a pickup game. I changed into my workout clothes, laced up my basketball shoes, and headed to the court. I wish I could remember more details about the night, but what I do recall is still vivid in my mind’s eye. I drove the lane, lept into the air, and stretched for a layup attempt. When I came down, I had very little room because of the crowded lane, and unfortunately my right leg hit the floor at an awkwardly straight angle. No give whatsoever.

Well, in the freakiest of injuries, I actually chipped off a small part of the femur and the inside of the kneecap. My “family” doctor (is it really a family doctor if it’s just me?) checked me out and didn’t realize the damage as the fractures were too tiny to show on an x-ray, and my ligaments all tested fine. Well, several months later…and still not feeling right…I headed to an orthopedist…and headed to the surgery table.

I often wonder what my life would be like now if I hadn’t played basketball that day. It doesn’t affect me much now…I don’t remember having pain in my knee for a very long time…but I’m not supposed to jog or ski…and it’s hard to have those things taken from me. I also lost almost two years of exercise from the time of the first injury till the time I had fully recovered from surgery. Plus I strangely miss jogging now that I am not supposed to run any more. I must be a slow learner, though, because I didn’t completely give up basketball till after I’d sustained other injuries including a very badly sprained ankle and several stitches above my right eye.

I know running is a great way to get in shape, but now you’ve gotten the long version of why biking is my primary option.

Yes, the date stood out today, but I say to basketball…and February 17…good riddance!