Turf Zone – TheGoldenTurd
There are many things in the Multiverse that find ways to stop you from getting out there are taking a few turf zones. Annoying things like having to work to earn a living, or demands made by family members, unannounced relatives at the door, the pesky bairns, the dog needing to go poo, or wee, or both, and even Mr Scratchy the cat with its latest gift of a still live baby rabbit. Yes, many things can stop turfing dead in its tracks. And the thing that is preventing me from some decent turfing is my poor old feet.
I’ve posted previously about my efforts to resolve the problem of sore toes when walking or cycling. My initial thoughts centred around them getting too cold and purchasing a pair of electrically heated socks and a pair of larger size boots to accommodate them seemed to make a difference, at least in cold weather. However, in warmer weather while wearing my usual footwear I was still getting sore toes. Now, in November last year I bought new footwear, one pair of Merrell Moab boots and one pair of Merrell Moab shoes. These were the same size as I’ve worn for the last 15-years.
Okay, they did feel slightly tight at first but with 15-years of experience wearing Merrell boots/shoes I was fairly confident they would relax and fit me fine. But now, three months later, the boots have not relaxed and I still have sore toes. So, my next move is to purchase footwear in a larger size. But the main issue with that after trailing through the outdoor shops in Edinburgh, Tiso, The North Face, Helly Hansen and Cotswold Outdoor, is the lack of half sizes available. Generally, size 9 1/2 is about ideal, size 10 is too big, all varying widely between different brands.
So, back to the good old internet. Research shows that some good retailers such as Berghaus, Merrell and Salomon offer free returns. That means I can order footwear online and not need to fork out a fiver each time I return them. So, to start, I’ve ordered a suitable pair of hiking shoes from Berghaus and fingers crossed they will fit. Once I’m happy I’ll also get a pair of boots. One benefit of ordering online is that you generally find the full range of products, colours and sizes is available, even half and wide sizes from Merrell. On the down side, you may have to pay the full list price though might be lucky with a sale item.
So, folks, this is the main reason why I’ve not been doing a lot of turfing these past few months, bloody sore toes from (my best guess) poor fitting footwear. I suspect that is mostly down to my own stupidity, yet I have learned that feet actually change as you get older, particularly from the age of 60 onwards, as tendons and ligaments loose elasticity and feet spread and flatten out. I’m also looking at my socks wondering if they are too tight and could another brand be more comfortable.
In September last year I’ve had to stop taking the hormone medications I’ve been on for the last 10-years and that may also have had an effect. I now have way less energy than before, feel lethargic and even my brain seems to have slowed down. A good analogy would be a car running on three cylinders rather than four and also running on four flat tyres. If I was a computer, it would be like my up-to-date 12th gen i9-12900 processor has been replaced with an early 486 processor and my memory chips reduced by half. I’m also wondering if my circulation has also been affected.
Anyway, fingers crossed I’ve be able to find suitably comfortable footwear that allows me to return to turfing again and claw back that massive plummet from League 3 down to League 5, get cracking on the Roundpointer-750k medal and all the rest. On the plus side and following a telephone conversation with the doctor, I’ve been given the go-ahead to continue again with my hormone modification, so, hopefully, in the coming weeks I’ll be back on form again and firing on all cylinders. Back soon.
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