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If My Muscles Could Talk To Me

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When I was coaching ong distance runners, I used to always tell them, "If you want to race without injuries, you must always practice the pace you plan to run in the race. Think of it as rehearsing before performing."

It took a few injuries before I learned the lesson myself.

Cross country teams race at ECU invitational - The Blue Banner

My muscles know not my ultimate intent “Around the block or just to that sign Please share with us what’s on your mind We hope this sprint is just a short way Or you need to add a speed workout day You’ve trained us well to keep a pace But we’ve been trained for a longer race Jogging, then running, then in a full sprint Did you notice the sensation, the burn? Continuing to sprint with no obvious concern We hope you’re hearing the words that we speak That makes three blocks, we’re past our peak Just like the last time, you still don’t care A pulled muscle is coming or just a small tear Then comes the limping and you start to curse The way that you run, you first must rehearse”

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Silent One

Date: 10/15/2023 9:21:00 AM

Your caption made me smile... have to warm up and stretch and then not over do it.. im not much of a runner, due to a bad back, but i go to the gym regularly.. Awesome poem Bill..

Bill Baker
Date: 10/15/2023 9:55:00 AM

We're too old to stress our bodies with running now, but Sara a I try to workout at the gym twice a week. The weights are going down instead of up these days. lol Thanks for the visit. Bill

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 10/14/2023 3:23:00 PM

A creative write. I enjoyed reading/learning. Muscles do talk when you hurt them/painful. Been there more than once. Have a blessed weekend..........

Bill Baker
Date: 10/14/2023 3:56:00 PM

Thanks for the visits and comments, Paula. Hugs, Bill

Jerry Brotherton

Date: 10/13/2023 10:23:00 AM

Very educational, my friend. I believe and I think my muscles agree that the best thing to do is sit on the couch and watch TV.

Bill Baker
Date: 10/13/2023 10:44:00 AM

Me too, Jerry, my last marathon was in 1992 @50. Walking is all I can handle safely now. Thanks, for the visit , my friend. Bill

Ink Empress

Date: 10/13/2023 5:35:00 AM

Brilliant rhymes and how versatile are you bill? You write about various subjects and you deliver them so very poetically! Right now my muscles ache, iv been gymming hard haha. So if my muscles can talk i wonder what they would say. Perhaps “ keep going” is that a picture from your archives? A very well crafted poem. I especially love the last two lines! Must rehearse always. Hope you have a wonderful day ahead.

Bill Baker
Date: 10/13/2023 10:45:00 AM

The picture is just one had got from the internet. I do have lots of pictures of runners though. lol Thanks for the visit and comments , my friend. Bill

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 10/13/2023 3:47:00 AM

Gone are the days when as a young man I was third in the category of long-distance running. No more running for me now. Loved your poem. So well rhymed. Blessings.

Bill Baker
Date: 10/13/2023 11:10:00 AM

Thanks, Victor. Good to hear you were a runner when younger. I ran in H.S. and college, the 5k's,10K's and marathons until 50. Then just coached H.S. and college runners and a few individuals. I loved running long distances. Have a great week, my friend. Bill

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 10/13/2023 3:36:00 AM

reminds me of our running days together...oh that burn and those times I ran at a pace I had not yet trained for! The muscles did ache...but you were patient with me...reminding me "Remember your pace." You were an awesome running coach as well as husband and all the crowns you wear. What a wonderful poem! Wish I could fav it..hugs, me

Bill Baker
Date: 10/13/2023 11:13:00 AM

You were not only the best female runner I ever coached, but the one that brought me the great feeling of coaching. Especially your first 5K. What a race and a third place finish in your first race. Race for the Cure. Thanks for the comments sweetheart. Hugs, Coach Baker

Paul Bell

Date: 10/13/2023 2:25:00 AM

Warm up, stretch, stretch, stretch. In saying that. My best times usually come after I'm wrecked from the night before.

Bill Baker
Date: 10/13/2023 11:15:00 AM

I had a few runners like you are describing, Paul. If you were good after a night out, you could have been trained to be great, my friend. If you're a natural, take it to the top. :-) Thanks for the comments, my friend. Bill

Valsa George

Date: 10/12/2023 9:38:00 PM

Every sport demands training. To be an expert athelete one needs regular training and practice. There is great excitement in taking part in a race, especially if it is a Marathon race participated by many. But there can be unexpected hitches like a muscle twitch during the race. The image and the poem are equally thrilling.

Bill Baker
Date: 10/13/2023 2:03:00 PM

Thanks for the insightful comments, valsa. You're right, the start of a large race like a marathon is thrilling. When Sara and I ran one together, we ran 4 mins per mile faster than we had trained for, for the first 6 miles. It was Sara fastest 10K time ever. She never ran that fast for a 10K again. The last 4 miles we were walking then running alternately. lol It was fun, but hard on our feet for a few weeks. Smiles ~ Blessings my dear friend. Bill

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/12/2023 8:01:00 PM

Ah, the three-block marathon: The Agony and the Ecstasy! (Only, where's the Ecstasy?!). Totally 'relatable to-able!' Thanks, gw

Bill Baker
Date: 10/13/2023 2:04:00 PM

I love it! "the agony and the ecstasy". LOL Thanks for the fun comment, my friend. Have a great week! Bill

Jan Allison

Date: 10/12/2023 5:09:00 PM

Spoken like an expert Bill, if anyone can learn it should be from someone who has experience in that field especially with sport. Have you trained anyone famous? hugs Jan xx

Bill Baker
Date: 10/12/2023 5:36:00 PM

Some got college scholarships, two won marathons in their age group, one ran in Olympic trials, but no one really famous. Thanks for asking. I brag a little. At one High School, I coached 10 years, and we went to the State Championships all ten years and won twice. Have a good week, my friend. Bill