PLAY Ball the Umpire Shout!
Website design By BotEap.comAs I was contemplating what to write about for the March/April issue of The Alaska Wellness Magazine, the idea of the “weekend athlete” came to mind. Do you know who I’m talking about? Is it your spouse? It’s you?
Website design By BotEap.comYou know the scenario: all week you work on your job, family obligations and relaxation time. It seems that there is no time for physical activities. On Monday morning you see an advert on the notice board at work. It states that a new softball team is being formed and everyone is encouraged to sign up! You think to yourself… “Well, I played competitive baseball in high school, so it shouldn’t be a problem now.” Of course, 16 years have passed since graduation, but who counts?
Website design By BotEap.comYou sign up with all the enthusiasm of a child opening his Christmas presents. He is so excited that when he gets home he announces to the family that he will be practicing softball on Tuesday nights and participating in the games on Saturday mornings. Everyone is fine with it and they are excited because they want to watch the games every week.
Website design By BotEap.comYou go to bed that night and dream about the way you threw the last out in the last game of your last season some 16 years ago.
Website design By BotEap.comThe next morning you get up early and go to the storage room to find your old ball and glove… surprise, you still have it! Now you are thinking that you will need to buy new shoes. The team will be provided with t-shirts and caps. You are picturing yourself in your new clothes and envisioning your first time at bat.
Website design By BotEap.comHello!! Aren’t you forgetting something? Shouldn’t you get into some kind of fitness course? Why is that the last thing on your mind? Just because you were a great or even a pretty good softball player 16 years ago doesn’t mean you can pick up where you left off.
Website design By BotEap.comIn my entire career, I have never heard of anyone having the ability to store fitness. Without proper conditioning, an aspiring athlete sets himself up for injury!
Website design By BotEap.comI digress. On Tuesday, you get your new shoes, your old glove, an old hat, and sunglasses and head out to the field. When you get there you see all your teammates and they are all just as excited as you are! You talk about some strategies for this practice and then everyone takes the field.
Website design By BotEap.comEveryone will have a chance to beat, shoot and field some balls. You can’t wait until it’s your turn to win… it’s time. WOW!
Website design By BotEap.comYour heart is racing, your body is tingling, and your mouth is dry. Her tone is slow and low; but you swing anyway. You gave him everything you had and you think you broke something. Oops! You can’t straighten. “What have I done?” you are thinking. Why didn’t I get some physical conditioning? Who’s gonna take me home? Should I go to the emergency room? Should I call home?
Website design By BotEap.comThe next day you barely make it to the office. Everyone is completely concerned about their health and well-being. You made the decision last night to just sleep in and see what happens in the morning. Well, it could be a little better; but it does not go away He makes the decision to go to the doctor and get a medical opinion (a wise choice) and down and lo and behold, he tore some muscles in his back and maybe even a few in his shoulder.
Website design By BotEap.comWhen you told the doctor how you hurt yourself, he wasn’t very understanding, was he? Maybe he has seen this too often. These types of weekend warriors are what keep our ERs running.
Website design By BotEap.comReminder: if you decide to play a summer or winter sport and you have been inactive for quite a few years… plan ahead. Get some expert advice on how to condition your body for the particular movements you’ll be participating in and this will help alleviate any debilitating injuries. How does the saying go… an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?