I just got back to running on Wednesday after being forced to spend eight days on the shelf. A trip to the ER on May 22 found I had an infection in my left big toe and developed blood poisoning in my foot.

I played in my rec soccer game Wednesday night and felt pretty good (my left big toe only got stepped on twice — then I took a sharp elbow to the noggin while jumping for a header). That’s what I get for being short.

Before heading out for a run today, my buddy Mike called and asked if I wanted to play in a pickup game of soccer with about 20 others. I did that instead and ran around for a solid 90 minutes. I always prefer running in a soccer game to running for running’s sake. I think I heard somewhere that the average soccer player runs 7-8 miles per game.

I haven’t run nearly as much as I planned or would’ve liked up to this point, but it’ll be OK. I don’t run for personal bests or anything like that. I just enjoy the vibe/aura that surrounds Grandma’s. As a lifelong Duluthian, I hadn’t taken part in a Grandma’s Marathon in any capacity until deciding to run in 2004.

I’m by no means a hardcore runner, not really sure I would even fall under the category of runner — I don’t own a pair of running shorts or a tanktop. But it just feels good to go out and do something physical. I’m not a huge guy and I want to make sure — as I climb up in age — that I never get round. I’m so short, if I put any weight on I’d look like a bowling ball.

I’m planning to run a few miles tomorrow (Friday) after playing a round of golf in the morning. Until then, take care.