It is a truth universally acknowledged that when a man enters midlife he does strange things. He buys a fast car, or dates fast women, or just fasts. In my case, it was running—not fast, but over long distances. In short, I decided to run the 2006 New York City marathon.

I was doing very well and feeling very pleased with myself until in June I acquired plantar fasciitis, a condition so pathetically common that the orthopedist had me out of his office (with stretching exercises and website addresses for splints) before I even entered it. The reason was equally generic: too much running on too hard surfaces with inadequate shoes.

So, I'm out of the race (although I'm automatically registered for next year). That means I can start training again, when my heel loosens up. It also teaches me another lesson of midlife: you ain't so young anymore!