Returning to the (indoor) pitch

I was told by my wife to get a hobby. Apparently she doesn't think beer drinking, watching soccer, light sports gambling, and complaining about my job is a good use of my time. So I contacted my local indoor soccer facility looking for a mens rec team. They hooked me up and I took the field on Wednesday evening. I warned my new teammates that I hadn't done anything organized in over a decade and to prepare to be underwhelmed. I'm proud to say that I didn't make a fool out of myself. I chipped in two goals and was competent in my defense. We still got thumped 7-4 but it was a good time. I look forward to getting out there next week. If I can drop about 30 pounds then I just might be a good player again.

 

@stlouisbrad, glad you added a hobby to the great list of time consuming activities you already have . Glad you had a great time, and especially glad you didn’t sustain any injuries. Played slow pitch softball until my late 40’s and knew it was time to hang them up when I was literally jogging home and tore a calf muscle (I’m down to walking for exercise and walking to the green from a golf cart).

 

@SoCalJoe I tore my calf muscle last summer in the backyard doing the slip-n-slide with the kid so me playing soccer again is probably one of the dumbest (and funnest) decisions I've made in a while.

 

Well I'm fairly certain I tore my other calf muscle last night. I guess it was fun while it lasted. I'll leave the soccer playing to the under forty crowd and stick to coaching.

 

That really sucks, but I've come to a similar conclusion. I'm a few weeks off 50 and I pulled a thigh muscle while playing in a (mostly) non-competitive church kickball game this past weekend. I realized I don't have the same body I used to.

 

@stlouisbrad @MicahMan, sorry to hear about the injuries fellas. Only thing I can recommend is a regular stretching regimen. That said what’s the old saying?..Father Time is Undefeated.

 

Bummer buddy, but good on you for getting out there...I still play in a 7 a side league

 

Yeah, that sucks. I’ve found that I need to stretch every day no matter what - whether running or playing or sitting at the computer. That way I’m able to at least walk on Mondays after playing outdoor on Sundays. I’m in the over 40 division and some other guys talk about other leagues and games that they’ve played since the last week. I don’t know how they do it.