soccer

the history:
in eighth grade, i was playing indoor and outdoor soccer almost year-round. when i started, they only had guys teams, but by junior high, some girls teams had formed. right before high school, i started having knee problems and found myself seeing a physical therapist. he told me i'd need knee surgery if i kept playing soccer. like any kid who anything called surgery, i stopped playing soccer and found something else to do.

the questions:
for years, i've wondered what would have happened had i not quit. in the years following the knee surgery discussion, my motto was, "i'll only run if i'm chased, and even then....maybe not." who wants knee surgery? but a year and a half ago, i started working with a trainer. when i first met with her, she told me she'd have me running in no time. i laughed. "no way," i thought.

the training:
i've worked up from twenty minutes of cardio to forty-five. i've lifted weights for eighteen months without more than a week's break. it's just amazing. i ran a 5k in may for the first time in my life. i had to walk a few times, but i did it! and now we come to the subject of the post.

last night:
for the first time in fifteen years, i played soccer. it was so fun, and i didn't even care that i was surely the worst one on the field.

i totally took on their superstar guy and blocked him from a straight shot on goal. that was awesome. and i had one shot on goal that was impossible, but it hit the side of the net. i hyperventilated at the beginning of the second half and felt incredibly out-of-shape, but it just made me want to go to the gym more. not many things in life make me want that...except my trainer. but i pay her to make me want to go to the gym more.

the way i see it, life is too short to avoid sports because of what could happen. screw knee surgery! rock on team sports!!