I am a soccer player. I know—hard to believe that someone my age plays a contact sport that requires coordination, and running. Many people (non-soccer players) don’t understand. In the words of my long-time massage therapist Linda, “I don’t get it, why do a bunch of grown women get pleasure from knocking each other down?”
Well, it is not as if we are sumo wrestlers—jiggling bellies, and butts in thongs notwithstanding—we don’t randomly knock each other over, take each other out, or kick each other in the shins. It is all in the name of gaining possession of the ball. She who has possession often wins.
Well, it is not as if we are sumo wrestlers—jiggling bellies, and butts in thongs notwithstanding—we don’t randomly knock each other over, take each other out, or kick each other in the shins. It is all in the name of gaining possession of the ball. She who has possession often wins.
Soccer continues to provide me many things. Competitive sport—though not as competitive as days gone. Fitness. Stress relief. And time every week with a group of amazing women on BMW Eagles.
A week ago, one of our players moved suddenly, and then fell to the ground. This happens in soccer. But, Michelle did not get up. Players from our box went onto the field to check on her; one went for ice. Our opponents went to check on her—because our whole league is like that, caring. The referee called the emergency medical team. Michelle was lifted, carried, and supported off the field. The remaining players on both teams took a sober, collective sigh. Every time we walk onto the field, we know there are risks.
Life is full of risk.
Let me remind you of Roosevelt’s speech, “The Man in the Arena”, April 23, 1910.
Admittedly there was no joy in this event. Our teammate Michelle suffered a complete tear of her achilles tendon, which will affect her for several months. We knew that it could have been ANY ONE of us. Michelle does boot camp for God’s sake!
I myself had an injurious outdoor season. I began with a tear to my Anterior Tibialis Extensor Digitorum (say that five times fast), and finished with a tear to my Medial Collateral Ligament. I went to physio more times than I actually played soccer. Reason enough to quit, you might think. At our age (our youngest is 40 and our oldest is 63) when injury strikes, we think of quitting, we think that we have played our last game, we think that we will have to give up this thing that runs through our blood like oxygen. But often, the injury and subsequent treatment, provide an opportunity to rehabilitate, to re-build mind, body and soul. *Remember my physiotherapist from Day 38?
I myself had an injurious outdoor season. I began with a tear to my Anterior Tibialis Extensor Digitorum (say that five times fast), and finished with a tear to my Medial Collateral Ligament. I went to physio more times than I actually played soccer. Reason enough to quit, you might think. At our age (our youngest is 40 and our oldest is 63) when injury strikes, we think of quitting, we think that we have played our last game, we think that we will have to give up this thing that runs through our blood like oxygen. But often, the injury and subsequent treatment, provide an opportunity to rehabilitate, to re-build mind, body and soul. *Remember my physiotherapist from Day 38?
Take golf—
Take hockey—
Take baseball—
Take gymnastics—
The inspiration comes from watching each woman’s strength amidst a field of like-minded women. We are not in control of our destiny, we may as well enjoy the journey.
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