Reliving my youth
If there’s one thing that I’ve learnt while being in my twenties is that the leisurely activities that used to fill your days slowly dwindle away. As I think back to high school, I remember busying myself with soccer, school activities, and hanging out with friends quite literally every day. Even on days that I had homework, I would bring my books to my friends place and work on it between watching our shows and eating junk food. Sure, I had a part-time job but that’s just it – it was part time.; maybe twenty hours a week of scanning groceries and slicing deli meat.
As I sit at my office desk, eating tofu salad and carrots and drinking my second coffee to get me through my 16-hour work day, I long for those days of not so long ago. How did this happen in such a short amount of time? How did the things that used to give me so much pleasure, slowly slip away from under me without me really noticing? What’s sadder is that like most twenty-somethings, these things that used to occupy our time may never see their way into our adult schedules again.
Last weekend I was re-introduced to a part of my past. While watching my boyfriend’s soccer game, the coach asked him I ever played soccer and if I’d want to play in the tournament in Montreal for the women’s team. He relayed the message to me and I my moods about the idea shifted numerously. I was excited, I was anxious, I was nervous, and I was worried I would be horrible and embarrass myself. Although I played soccer since I was six, I was hadn’t strapped on a pair of cleats since I went away to school, five years ago. I wanted to play again so badly, but at the same time pictured myself throwing up on the sidelines and forgetting how to kick a ball. It took me about a week to decide that I should bite the bullet and play.
Putting on my cleats for the first time and stretching on the sidelines felt wonderful. I felt like I was in my youth and glory again. On the field, I have to admit that I surprised myself. I was still able to slide tackle and beat girls to the ball. But after about ten minutes of sprinting I realized that I’m really not as fit as I used to be. My chest started to hurt and my heart felt like it was pounding through my sports bra. How did I use to play full 90 minute games without any subs?
The next day was worse. I woke up with literally every limb aching. My legs hurt, my arms hurt, my abs hurt, my neck hurt. I had knots in my left quad so badly that my boyfriend had to massage them out with A535. I had never been this sore in my life and I felt pathetic when I had to get my boyfriend to help me with taking the stairs. When I’d try to lift my leg it literally felt like a 100 pound weight was holding it down. And what was worse, I still had another game to play that day.
I suffered through that game, playing perhaps the worst I’ve ever played. My kicks were weak, my muscles strained, and my endurance was shot. But all in all I was having a blast. My teammates still told me I did a great job although I was discouraged, and they even asked me to play in the next tournament next month. At least this will give me some time to train a bit more so I don’t wobble like the Hunchback on the field.
Despite the pain and slight embarrassment, I do not regret reliving this part of my youth and it has even encouraged me to get back in to the hobbies that have eventually slipped away from me as I got older. It may seem silly to pull out your old skipping ropes or model cars, but it’s amazing just how good it can make you feel.
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1 Comment to Reliving my youth
The same thing happened to me when i went out on the boat last weekend and went on a tube . I couldnt raise my arms over my head for a week
August 29, 2009