Sweating Soccer Style

Oh my heavens, I am wiped out! I thought I was somewhat in shape ... with my Zumba, elliptical and other workouts. But a few minutes out there on the soccer field and I knew, this was different! I've played soccer before, when I was a teen, and then again very casually about eight years ago. I also got a little in while coaching the kids (Soccer, Past&Present). A couple weeks ago (Soccer Stuff) I mentioned driving by a building called "Soccer City" on the way to one of my Zumba classes. There were signs out by the road advertising adult leagues, and I was intrigued enough to check them out online. I was pretty sure I wasn't ready to commit to an actual team or league, but when I read about the drop-in open play ... hmmmm.

It almost seemed like fate. My Thursday morning  Zumba class was taking July off. This was offered on Thursday mornings. I continued my Zumba class through June, and the first week of July I went to a different Thursday Zumba (I'd looked around for an alternate class, so I'd at least have that option).

But today ... I tried the soccer.  I am always SO nervous when I try something new like this. I had my heart rate monitor, and I find it funny to watch my heart rate speed up on the WAY to a new exercise option, before any actual exercise even starts! I'm always uber anxious about driving to a new location as well. At least today, I knew exactly where I was going. That was good!

I brought some running shoes (no cleats on the indoor fields) ... I brought soccer socks and shin guards, but didn't end up putting them on (they aren't very comfortable). I wasn't sure if I'd be allowed to wear my HRM (watch on wrist). Even in kids soccer/sports, they usually require all jewelry, watches and other items off just to avoid any possible injury. But no one said anything, so I left it on and was very happy for it's feedback throughout the game. I started my Fitbit timer too ...

Very interesting to compare the stats to my Zumba workouts.   I'd glanced at my Fitbit during the game and wasn't too impressed with my numbers. I did notice my heart rate was UP ... and it stayed up, even when the game slowed (or I just slowed, unable to keep up anymore). Usually my heart rate drops quite quickly if I stop moving. Today, I waited a couple of minutes to take my stats picture (we were chatting a bit) and it was STILL in the 140s when I pressed the button to stop the count.  I took my HRM off when I got in the car, but I probably should have left it on, and watched to see how long it remained elevated (I'll do that next time).  For a moment, I was a bit confused that I was only "in the zone" for 20 minutes ... then I realized that much of my time out of the zone, I was above it! 159 was my average heart rate. Personally I knew I was more sweaty and felt absolutely exhausted and hurting in a few places (not injury hurt, just "you used this muscle" type hurt). Seriously, driving home and having to lift my foot from the gas to the brake was a challenge!

So I'm glad I went, and I plan on going again. It will be interesting to see if I can get these HRM again and if I can improve the Fitbit numbers. Today, I played the entire time (although admittedly, some of the time I was really wimpy and just watching as I tried not to collapse). If more people show, they form three teams and rotate (one or two games on, then a rest). While normally I don't like stopping and just watching ... I probably could have benefited from it today!

Thought I'd share my experience as a definite NSV for me! Just the courage to try something new, adding a new exercise, hitting a new HRM high. I've been thinking about trying this for so long now (several weeks, since I drove by the building). It's great to have put the thought into action. Still, I know I'll be thinking about this, and Thinking Out Loud about soccer today, and I'm sure I'll be posting about it again in the future!

Basketball Butt

 Sometimes I get a bit bored waiting for the game to start ...

Thus basketball mom selfies :)

The past several months, I've spent many hours in the car running boys to practices and games. There has been quite a bit of time sitting on the bleachers watching the boys play basketball. Although I do often try to get some walking in, or stand during games ... it's easy to get "basketball butt" from so much sitting! Spring season is finally finishing up, and while there will be some camps, I don't think we have any basketball games in the coming summer months. I'm not sure if that makes me happy or sad ... just Thinking Out Loud about basketball and my boys this Thursday.

Last Saturday I watched (and captured video highlights) of three basketball games. Then there was a game on Monday, on Tuesday and the championships yesterday (for my #2, the 15-year old). They came in 2nd, as they did in their last three tournaments.  So close! He has his last "open gym" tonight, and #3 (the 13-year old) had his final practice last night, and has his final game on Saturday.

I'm a pretty laid back basketball mom. Even though I've watched more games than I can count, I don't consider myself much of a judge when it comes to the refs calls. I'm pretty quiet ... no so for so many of the parents. There have been some frustrating and disappointing shows of unsportsmanlike behavior ... much more on the parts of parents than from the boys!  My #3 does struggle with it a bit, and I've told him THAT is more important to me than basketball skills.  So many times, a negative moment during or after the game can just spoil the whole thing.  It makes me sad. But for the most part, I do love watching the boys play!

Here's one of the highlight videos I made ...

My #2 IS #2 (that's helpful, right?)

#2 wears a Fitbit ... I like to track how much activity he gets from his practices and games. I can still usually beat him in steps, but if this summer is anything like the last, I know there are days he'll give me a run for my money. I love having active kids! I'd love to strap a Fitbit on each one, and see what kind of numbers they get. 

With actual games behind me ... I need to catch up on my Basketball Blog and finish up some of the videos from this last season!  Ah ... basketball. The NBA is finishing up their season too. Basketball is a huge part of our family.  Does basketball play a role in YOUR everyday?  And per the selfies at the start of the post ... you know that is actually an NSV! In the past, I NEVER would have stopped and snapped a picture of myself!

Soccer... Past and Present

Throwback Thursday! During my middle school years, I played soccer. Center Fullback was my favorite position. I liked being on defense. I didn't score many (any?) goals, but I prevented the other team from scoring a lot. We had a pretty competitive team. At one point, I remember a few of us were tapped for an "All Star" team. Most of us were on the school track team too (I'm NOT a Runner) and I think the two sports complimented each other. As we all moved to high school, the team dissolved. There wasn't a girls soccer team at my high school (then) ... but that didn't stop ONE of the girls from continuing to play! I myself turned to music and theater. You really could only participate in one after school activity as they all seemed to practice at the same time.

When I first lost the weight back in 2006, I got back into soccer for a time. There was a MeetUp group that would get together and play pick up games. It was so much fun. Then the kids sports kicked into full gear  again and took up most of my time. 

All my boys have played soccer at one time or another. #2 played on a competitive team for a year, and I'd join in on some of the workouts with the team. I could see the preference for basketball kicking in with the older boys (Basketball Mom). #4 broke his arm during a game, and it was so traumatic, he said he wasn't ever going to play soccer again. But my munchkin, #5 ... he's a little soccer star. I was even the coach for a few seasons (it's not very hard to do at the pre-school age). I do wonder if I would have been as willing when I was heavier though.

Spring 2011 

(I can't remember the team name)

The Blue Sharks - Fall 2011

Red Rockets - Spring 2012

You can see my Omron pedometer in my pictures. I had pockets! Ah, the Irony of my Omron "Pocket" pedometer! I was always surprised at how many steps I got as coach during games and practices. At this age, the coach is on the field and quite involved chasing/directing kids.

While I enjoyed coaching ... I also really like to be on the sidelines with the video camera so I can capture the action. My little guy played soccer this fall, but between scheduling conflicts and then his broken wrist, I only got three games on video. That WAS enough to really show him in action though! He's #10. His final game was last Saturday ... and he played, even in his cast (he had a long sleeve shirt on, you could hardly see it!)

I LOVE watching him play!

Have you ever played soccer?

Basketball Mom

#4 in his game on Saturday

We are a basketball family. In addition to the traditional winter season,  my boys have been playing  in spring/summer/fall  leagues for several years now (Hoop Dreams ... A Basketball Mom Blog).

During some seasons, the boy's basketball is actually beneficial to me getting a workout in. In a recent post (here), I wrote about the gyms with a track above the basketball court. I could watch and jog at the same time, and often get in five miles or so during games and practices.

I have three boys in basketball for Fall (#2, #3 and #4). Alas none of the games/practices are being held at the gyms with the track above.  Dang it. So instead of getting in steps, I'm driving, sitting, sitting & driving.  There is a two-hour practice every Monday and Thursday. There is open gym every Tuesday evening. Wednesday is another practice for #2, and games starting next week for #3. Thursday is game day for #2, practice for #3 and #4. Saturday is game day (for #3, #4). #5 is playing soccer (games on Wednesday and Saturday) as they don't have basketball for his age group. Juggling the schedule can get tricky. I do all I can, then get hubby, #1, and even Grandpa to help out when things overlap.

Busy busy! 

But I do love watching my boys play. 

As I'm NOT jogging around the track during these games, I stay busy running my video camera. Then I take all the good shots and make a quick highlight reel. This does mean MORE sitting back at home, but the boys really like them. 

Here's a peek at my boy in action.

My #2 is #2, the point guard.
Poor kid had back-to-back breaks (right foot then left)
It kept him out of basketball for almost a year.
He's SO happy to be able to play again!

Well, I best get down to my gym for some cardio and weights while I can!
My evening exercising is going to be limited!