Warming Up

I grew up playing sports, and basketball in particular has always been a favorite. Though I turned fifty-one last year, I often remind my younger friends that I “still have game.” I keep insisting that my quickness and three-point shot are as prime as ever—though they make it clear they don’t entirely buy my self-assessment.

There’s one thing, however, that I have to admit is particularly different from my younger days: I’m much more conscious of the importance of warming up before a game. I know from long experience that my muscles work best when they’re prepared—stretched and warm instead of cold and tight.