I miss my athletic, competitive past

I loved being on a soccer team. Maybe I loved it because I was decent at it. Or I loved being around other girls. Or the challenge of practicing fueled my competitive blood.

Only child syndrome = I wanted to be the best. The leader (sorry ladies!). To do it my way (sorry coaches!).

Child turned teen turned collegiate/adult athlete. Couple summers played in a women’s league. I have a few indoor seasons under my belt. I even played a summer professionally (best. summer. ever.)

Suddenly real life happens? Out of no where and I’m like, “What the f? I can’t just workout and practice anymore? Jobs? Bills?” Hello culture-shock. Or maybe it’s adulthood-shock.

Don’t forget about L-O-V-E. At some point in time a partner may come. And go. And come. And go…..Finally one sticks. That takes a little bit more of our time away from the gym and the grass field.

We strive to stay ahead of the bills. We save for that warm weather vacation. Less time for our competitiveness. We long for the feeling to kick a ball, just not the one at our friends kids birthday party.

Our athlete wants to run free, contemplate our next attack, move with our team, sweat, sprint. WIN.

We might sign up for a cheap bunch of Groupon deals at various gyms. Or maybe we belong to a gym but yeah….I’m not competing with the dudes lifting 40lbs over their heads. So not the same.

Don’t even have time or the funds to join a league? Or maybe theres absolutely zero motivation to exercise by yourself. Or to even leave the house. Who wants to drive 20 minutes to be alone in a gym facility where no one cares what you’re doing? F it.

You day dream about your youth, how fantastic it felt to get together and be challenged in ways your body loved.

How do you mentally cope with this graduation to adulthood? Who’s motivating you to move your ass? Anyone pushing you to be better than you are right in this moment?