No, I'm not talking about war veterans, though at times, we probably feel like it. Sport veterans are the hot topic. Even if only because I'm feeling every ache and pain of competing in my first Grand Final in twenty years. You see, I'm a hockey player. Er, that's field hockey not the icebound version. Right through from the time I picked up my first hockey stick [at age12 and not knowing what on earth it was for to the time I undertook semi-retirement to pursue a family life [I was pregnant. Including the nearly twenty years I wasn't actually playing hockey, up to last year, when I registered with a team and started playing all over again.
The whistle blew on that first game and I burst onto the field with a fervour I hadn't felt in oh so long and haven't felt since. What I have felt is every year of absence and age, groaning about the stupidity of running around a field chasing a ball with a stick in my hands at the grand old age of 41. It hasn't stopped me though. I think to myself, I'm too old for this? as the ball whizzes past, and [like one of Pavlov's dogs I automatically react. That's my ball! the hockey player inside my head says and orders my legs to start running. It would all be quite pathetic if it wasn't such good fun.
The camaraderie of the team is something I'd nearly forgotten about. The slaps on the back as we'd chased, tackled, jostled, and occasionally scored goals is a wonderful boost to moral. As is the concern when once again I've forgotten to stop running, barrelled into another player and somersaulted through the air to land with a thud on the ground. Or the shouts of Don't worry, you'll get 'em next time! when one of us has completely stuffed up a tackle or shot. The emphasis has been, and continues to be, less on winning [though that always remains our goal and more on being a team, supporting each other and having fun. It's much more fun now than when I was a teenager and winning was everything. If I can get through a whole game without gasping for the need to rest before quarter time, I'm happy. If I can manage the game without injuries I'm even happier. To score a goal is the ultimate high!
I returned to competition last year without much thought to personal fitness. That is, I did think about a bit at first, worried about it a good deal more and then realised I'd never get back into the game if I waited until I was fit, and went for it. With all good intentions, I told myself I'd get back into running, go to the gym, attend training sessions and by the end of the season I'd be as fit as ever. Season two has come and gone [with a grand final appearance, mind you and I'm still working on those intentions, planning a summer season [during which I really will get fit and having a lot of fun.
Playing a team sport is a great way to get back into something you love, competing for a goal, achieving a few plays you can be proud of and getting red-faced and sweaty with a bunch of like-minded people. You don't have to be experienced at the sport. This year, our hockey team had several players who had never picked up a stick before. Yet their kids, along side mine and several dozen others, cheered as loud as everyone else for their mums to put sticks down and start running. A few of us have teenage daughters who want to join the team next season - a mums & bubs team, of sorts.
There are plenty of sports you can go out and try - netball, basketball? hockey. Whatever you like. It won't be easy, you'll be tired, achey and quite possibly a little bruised and battered, but you'll be better for the exertion and the wrenching out of the relatively small world of family, home and job and into the greater world of The Team! Fitness, even if just a taste of it, will be yours. A lifting of your competitive spirit [much better than passively watching sport on TV will help you find a way out of any mental and emotional ruts [yes, really - once you feel stronger, you think stronger!. Being part of something bigger than yourself for 60 sweaty minutes a week is just the tonic [or sport drink a lot of us are looking for.
Find a team and start running
~~~~~~~
Trish is an independent, hockey playing writer. When she's not running around the hockey field she's writing. To read more of her articles, visit Trish at http://beginningsmiddlesends.blogspot.com/ or send an email to wordcatcher@hotmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment