Paint Ball For The Elderly
by JJ Oakley For those baby boomers like myself, it may be a good idea to find a sport, or hobby that will help to keep the body somewhat fit. Exercise, it is said will keep us viable as we age. I might take a look at something to get back into a modicum of shape.
Well, the exercise idea was definitely out, as I tend to get bored with the reparative, laborious standard series of movements required for each muscle group. It was necessary for me to find a way to get exercise without really knowing that a good workout, both physically, and cardiovascular was taking place.
Now paint ball is an arena set up with many scenarios that require running, jumping, and moving in all different manners to set oneself in the position of scoring on the other team. The reward is quite outstanding for this author due to the fact that the score is made with a small 63-caliber paint ball, traveling at 300FPS towards the intended target.
The younger crowd down at my place of work has quite a tenacious band of shooter. They get together every weekend, and go into the woods, and nearby streams to carry out their rather proficient war games. The local armed forces, police officers also play in order to practice the different squad tactics germane to their line of work.
Many of the management team at the cable company has been taunted on a continual basis to go out and be a part of this, what I deem to be bodies offered up for cannon fodder. It is a wonderful outlet for the guys at work to be able to exact a revenge on their supervisors as well.
Ok, finally succumbing to the taunting, and outfitted myself with the necessary accoutrements for the sport. We all showed up at the designated playing area early on Saturday morning, and received instructions for the different scenario games that would be played. This author was hoping that what he lacked in youth might be made up with experience from the distant military days of his past.
The games were fast a furious. Even with a mass of bruises, scrapes, and welts . . . it was found to be a good time with the kids. All most indescribably sore that Monday when time for work. Yes, offered up to the paint ballers as a target for their affection and a vision of a man with small pocks for the bruising . . . there was still the inward solace of the football player after the game.
This went on for the next three weekend, and the writer was getting in better shape, as well as exacting his revenge on the younger bonsai chargers on the field of battle. So clad in my alfa cammos, I walked the woods this particular Saturday morning deciding on how to set my squad up for a basic kill zone on the next round.
The scenario was set and the game began. The hail of paint was flying everywhere and my team was doing quite well. The fire on one of my teammates required me to cross the woods line and lay a field of drawing fire to cover his flank. While running sideways across a stream, and firing . . . the foot became lodged in between two submerged logs. Well... momentum to the left and foot stationary something had to give. Yes, it was my leg an ankle.
Ok snap, but maybe it was just some sticks, let me try and walk. Hum, foot one way and leg the other. This can't be a good thing. On my way to the ER now with the memory " In our youth, our hearts were touched with fire."
Now in a cast for three weeks, it comes to mind that, as we age it takes longer for the body to mend. I sit on this dang recliner, with my foot hiked up on pillows, offering input at work with conference calls. Now an epiphany! There might be better ways for one to get back into shape. |
