MDS: Lead Legs

An ad that airs during TV golf coverage states that "you'll walk five miles in a typical round of golf."

Seems a lot, but right now I'm believing it.

After walking 18 on Tuesday, I'm suffering a case of "lead legs." I don't think you'll find this syndrome in the medical lexicon, but baseball pitchers refer to it when they tire late in games.

The name says it all—legs that feel like they're filled with lead. It makes climbing the stairs something of a challenge.

So, for you skeptics out there who contend that golf provides no exercise, I present myself as proof that it does. If you'd like to try it yourselves, simply

• cut off two of your chromosomes at the "X" to effectively screw up your bone marrow's red blood cell production
• allow MDS to set in
• watch your cell count drop precipitously
• lodge in hospital for five days, enjoying IV meds in abundance
• once home, indulge in chemo-style drugs-by-injection for a few months
• go walk five miles in a mildly hilly landscape.

Well, the legs might be feeling like lead right now, but it's a happy leadeness. Or, should that be a leaden happiness?

Nine holes more tomorrow and another bike ride on Sunday.

Chromosomes be damned.