American In Sydney

Field Hockey

So last night I played field hockey for the first time in 6 years. If you think about it, I didn't REALLY play competitive hockey 4 years before that in college, so it's been about 10 years, and boy did it feel like it. Out here, here's a league culture that I don't think is as strong in the US. People join leagues to play sports once a week or so and they play for their entire lives. To take advantage and to kick my butt back into gear, Jackson and I decided to join a field hockey league. It meets on Thursday nights, it includes mixed teams (boys and girls), old & young, on a turf field. We played 9 to a side and OMG I was exhausted! We had about 3 gals on the team and the rest guys, and I must say a couple of things:

1) playing on turf is FAST!
2) I'm super slow
3) 9 year olds ran circles around me. OK, they were really in high school or something, but still...they just dodged right around me.
4) 50 year olds ran circles around me
5) I'm out of shape
6) I forgot how to play...

okay, you get the message. But still...we were playing with guys who are my dad's age who were just incredible. They were fast and when they realized I wasn't, they just slowed down the ball whenever they passed to me. Usually that didn't help, but I tried! It was tough, but fun! We keep score, but no one really cares - it's really just for fun and for getting out for a hit.

I was pooped...and my out of shapedness really came back and kicked me in the butt - now my legs are sore, my back is sore, and other parts that I won't mention. Will I go out and do it again? Absolutely! it was fun! although I hope next time I can stop a couple more balls...and run faster - fingers crossed.

posted by Leighna @ 3:03 pm