Yep, you correctly read the title. I'm going into a temporary retirement. What exactly is a temporary retirement? Well, it's more like an indefinite hiatus. I reserve the right to return to the game but may not do so immediately.
Why would I give up playing a sport that I love, look forward to each day, and actively participate with my own kids? That's a hard question to answer. The bottom line is this. I'm old and am prone to injuries. OK, I admitted it, finally. Well, I'm not that old and there are certainly other players on my team and in the league that are certainly older. But honestly, I don't like pain and love being healthy. When I'm healthy, I feel uninhibited. Today, inhibition is all I feel.
Yesterday I saw my ortho and while I did sustain a contusion on the upper tibia and a tear on the the lateral meniscus, he said I should be playing in another season, if I chose to. Well, at this time, my choice is to sit it out and enjoy life in other ways.
What does this mean for the blog? Nothing. I'll still write about my kids and their adventures in soccer. I'll still write about FC Dallas games I get to attend. I'll still write about serving on the KSA board. But I'll be fairly silent as to my own adventures in soccer. And quite honestly, it makes me a bit sad to think about giving it up.
That said, here's to an early retirement. Anyone want to take a guess as to how long it will last?
Showing posts with label indoor soccer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label indoor soccer. Show all posts
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Championship Secured: Knee Damaged
After 3 points into the game by our team (one coming from my direct assist), a concussion-like collision with an opposing team sent shockwaves up my newly rehabilitated leg and doctor cleared knee, jolting my knee laterally and sending me to the turf. When I stood up my knee was loose and my spirits sank.
Backing up just a bit may be helpful for those not previously following my knee injury story on HansonHarmony. 1.5 yrs ago, just a few days before Christmas 2006, I blew my knee out on a 1-1 drive on goal that was unimpeded and self contained. My knee hyper extended, my Lateral Collateral Ligament detached (not good) and my Articuate Complex Ligament on the backside of my knee severed (even worse and without repair can immobilize the victim). After a traumatic surgery to repair the ligaments and realign the knee I began a very serious and painful recovery process filled with physical therapy and delayed strength training.
I began my foray into indoor soccer last fall and was highly excited to rejoin the ranks of the risky and aging 30+ mens on the same team I had formed a year earlier. Though the team had changed dramatically, the passion for the game persisted and we made a run for a championship, well t-shirt (no rings at our level). With the apprehension of my knee giving out, I remained braced and we left my first season back with a 2nd place finish.
The next season decimated us with our top scorers unable to attend many of the games. We were knocked down a division for this last season and things didn't start off too well either with a tie and a loss in our first two matches.
From there we never looked back, winning the remaining games and staying healthy throughout the season. We were joined last week by a player that had sat out for 2 season while his ankle break recovered. This was particularly good timing as our lead scorer suffered a near identical knee injury as I had and has been left to surgery, two blood clots and a long road to full recovery.
After having been given the go ahead to play without my brace, I fretted about the decision, knowing that one event can rock my hard training and leave me in pain and remorse. But how can I live life with fear and remain in a "what would happen if" stupor? That wouldn't be fair to my competitive side and always having that question in the back of my mind would drive me to distraction.
I began the game without the brace but brought it for security in case my knee felt weak or I lacked confidence. As it turns out, it was the right decision to bring the brace to recover from both weaknesses.
After the new injury, I hobbled off the field during play, limping slightly, and immediately berated myself for being injured. What was more frustrating was I believe that the injury would have occurred regardless of wearing or not wearing the brace. After putting the brace back on, I sidelined myself long enough to regain some confidence and head back out onto the field. While I felt my knee slip a little and show more play laterally than I would have liked, the pain was bearable and I had a team to support. Within a couple of minutes I had a goal and was satisfied I could survive the game and see us through a victory.
The victory came, the victory photograph was taken, the victory t-shirts were dispersed and I left the arena fretting over a new injury, unable to fully enjoy the team's first victory in 1.5 years of "Storm" existence. Upon my arrival and home and after showering, I iced the knee for an hour while reading before retiring to bed.
This morning, even as I write this entry, I'm still in some minor pain and highly concerned over the well being of my knee. Should I go back to the ortho and confess my folly? Should I take a season off? Should I continue on as normal, bracing each game and continue with my strength training hoping that the injury, whatever it may be, will magically go away? I have this legitimate concerns and others and I constantly find myself distracted by the questions.
Time will be the wise deliverer of the answer to my questions. Eventually I'll heal and my aggressive thirst/hunger for the sport I've loved my whole life will be a memory in life. But for now, the pain is real, the discomfort annoying and the championship accomplishment overshadowed by a singular moment of happenstance. Such is life.
Backing up just a bit may be helpful for those not previously following my knee injury story on HansonHarmony. 1.5 yrs ago, just a few days before Christmas 2006, I blew my knee out on a 1-1 drive on goal that was unimpeded and self contained. My knee hyper extended, my Lateral Collateral Ligament detached (not good) and my Articuate Complex Ligament on the backside of my knee severed (even worse and without repair can immobilize the victim). After a traumatic surgery to repair the ligaments and realign the knee I began a very serious and painful recovery process filled with physical therapy and delayed strength training.
I began my foray into indoor soccer last fall and was highly excited to rejoin the ranks of the risky and aging 30+ mens on the same team I had formed a year earlier. Though the team had changed dramatically, the passion for the game persisted and we made a run for a championship, well t-shirt (no rings at our level). With the apprehension of my knee giving out, I remained braced and we left my first season back with a 2nd place finish.
The next season decimated us with our top scorers unable to attend many of the games. We were knocked down a division for this last season and things didn't start off too well either with a tie and a loss in our first two matches.
From there we never looked back, winning the remaining games and staying healthy throughout the season. We were joined last week by a player that had sat out for 2 season while his ankle break recovered. This was particularly good timing as our lead scorer suffered a near identical knee injury as I had and has been left to surgery, two blood clots and a long road to full recovery.
After having been given the go ahead to play without my brace, I fretted about the decision, knowing that one event can rock my hard training and leave me in pain and remorse. But how can I live life with fear and remain in a "what would happen if" stupor? That wouldn't be fair to my competitive side and always having that question in the back of my mind would drive me to distraction.
I began the game without the brace but brought it for security in case my knee felt weak or I lacked confidence. As it turns out, it was the right decision to bring the brace to recover from both weaknesses.
After the new injury, I hobbled off the field during play, limping slightly, and immediately berated myself for being injured. What was more frustrating was I believe that the injury would have occurred regardless of wearing or not wearing the brace. After putting the brace back on, I sidelined myself long enough to regain some confidence and head back out onto the field. While I felt my knee slip a little and show more play laterally than I would have liked, the pain was bearable and I had a team to support. Within a couple of minutes I had a goal and was satisfied I could survive the game and see us through a victory.
The victory came, the victory photograph was taken, the victory t-shirts were dispersed and I left the arena fretting over a new injury, unable to fully enjoy the team's first victory in 1.5 years of "Storm" existence. Upon my arrival and home and after showering, I iced the knee for an hour while reading before retiring to bed.
This morning, even as I write this entry, I'm still in some minor pain and highly concerned over the well being of my knee. Should I go back to the ortho and confess my folly? Should I take a season off? Should I continue on as normal, bracing each game and continue with my strength training hoping that the injury, whatever it may be, will magically go away? I have this legitimate concerns and others and I constantly find myself distracted by the questions.
Time will be the wise deliverer of the answer to my questions. Eventually I'll heal and my aggressive thirst/hunger for the sport I've loved my whole life will be a memory in life. But for now, the pain is real, the discomfort annoying and the championship accomplishment overshadowed by a singular moment of happenstance. Such is life.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Knee is Cleared: Going Braceless...Officially
Yesterday I had an appointment with my orthopedic (I had previously blogged this but my entry was somehow lost in transit). The great news is things look normal and all tests check out. I've been cleared to play without a brace so long as I am not terribly aggressive and no slide tackling. Since I'm fairly non-confrontational and wouldn't slide tackle even if I tripped in the right trajectory, I'm good.
The good news about this clearing is I'll shave off an extra couple of pounds off of my leg and add more agility to my play. I'm completely apprehensive about my ability to play without the brace and I'm very nervous about any lateral hits I may take. However, you can't live life in fear of something happening. You have to make things happen and pray for the best.
That being said, tomorrow night marks the first game I'll go braceless.
The good news about this clearing is I'll shave off an extra couple of pounds off of my leg and add more agility to my play. I'm completely apprehensive about my ability to play without the brace and I'm very nervous about any lateral hits I may take. However, you can't live life in fear of something happening. You have to make things happen and pray for the best.
That being said, tomorrow night marks the first game I'll go braceless.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Foot/Ankle Good but Bruised: Teammate Out w/Knee Injury
Posted from my iPhone to the mobile site:
The foot is feeling quite well and should be well enough for tonight's game.
On the down side, a fellow teammate apparently twisted his knee in last week's win and is having to undergo knee surgery tomorrow to have his LCL re-attached. Sound familiar? Yep, that's exactly what I had to under go 1.5 yrs ago and I'm still recovering.
All for the love of the game though :)
The foot is feeling quite well and should be well enough for tonight's game.
On the down side, a fellow teammate apparently twisted his knee in last week's win and is having to undergo knee surgery tomorrow to have his LCL re-attached. Sound familiar? Yep, that's exactly what I had to under go 1.5 yrs ago and I'm still recovering.
All for the love of the game though :)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Update on Sprained Foot
As I went to bed last night, I noticed with some clarity that my foot had swollen quite a bit and was turning a nice purplie color along side my sole. Some would be quite discouraged by this and get completely off their feet (elevated, of course), seek medical professional help or just cry like a baby until the pain subsided.
Me? Well, I got up this morning and did side steps, as per my usual aerobic workout, and pushed through the swelling, the pain and the discomfort. And the results? After a full workout (steps, strength training, no yoga on Wii-Fit this morning), I felt great. The swelling had nearly dissipated and the pain had greatly subsided. I wish I could physiologically describe why this exertion caused the logically opposite effect on my foot but this is not the first time for me.
The precedent setting experience was 2 years ago when I sprained an ankle (could be the same side but I don't recall). After mercilessly waiting on my butt for 3 days I just couldn't take it any longer and I went for a 4 mile run. Felt better and kept running after that. Of course I haven't played basketball since (which was how I rolled it) and really lost any drive to play again.
This injury is different, however, in that the sporting cause of the injury is a life long passion; one that I do not intend to give up. Soccer has become a balm to me when I'm stressed or in need of an inner exertion release. While the comradeship is pleasant (if they keep their language clean), the sport itself is my companion. To bend the ball to my will through power, finesse, skill and physical tenacity is a delight in its own. While the injury is recent and likely will be painful tomorrow night, there is just something luring me to play and feel good about it. Will I be timid? Certainly? Top game? Likely not. More importantly, will my playing fulfill an inner desire expressible only on the short field? Definitely!
Injury or no injury, I'm there tomorrow night!
Me? Well, I got up this morning and did side steps, as per my usual aerobic workout, and pushed through the swelling, the pain and the discomfort. And the results? After a full workout (steps, strength training, no yoga on Wii-Fit this morning), I felt great. The swelling had nearly dissipated and the pain had greatly subsided. I wish I could physiologically describe why this exertion caused the logically opposite effect on my foot but this is not the first time for me.
The precedent setting experience was 2 years ago when I sprained an ankle (could be the same side but I don't recall). After mercilessly waiting on my butt for 3 days I just couldn't take it any longer and I went for a 4 mile run. Felt better and kept running after that. Of course I haven't played basketball since (which was how I rolled it) and really lost any drive to play again.
This injury is different, however, in that the sporting cause of the injury is a life long passion; one that I do not intend to give up. Soccer has become a balm to me when I'm stressed or in need of an inner exertion release. While the comradeship is pleasant (if they keep their language clean), the sport itself is my companion. To bend the ball to my will through power, finesse, skill and physical tenacity is a delight in its own. While the injury is recent and likely will be painful tomorrow night, there is just something luring me to play and feel good about it. Will I be timid? Certainly? Top game? Likely not. More importantly, will my playing fulfill an inner desire expressible only on the short field? Definitely!
Injury or no injury, I'm there tomorrow night!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Barefoot Soccer @ Party Yields Sprained Foot
As I'm not in the health industry, I'm sure someone will correct my self-diagnosis as impossible or unlikely but I'll throw it out here regardless and wait for the clever retorts.
In celebration of an undefeated season, including end-of-season tournament, my oldest son's team got together at a neighborhood pool with an enticing soccer field adjacent to the pool. I knew I'd be playing and brought my gear along for the occasion. The players were having a great time in the pool and after they had their share of pizza I suggested playing over on the field.
As some didn't bring proper shoes for playing, I made the brilliant suggestion that we play barefooted so as to not crunch anyone's toes. This turned out to be my fatal flaw as my ankles and feet apparently aren't as stable without my shoes.
On the first play I touched the ball, my ankle rolled and I felt something pop and give in the upper potion of my foot, below the ankle and slightly off-center on the top of the foot. I limped for a few minutes and felt it starting to give way to pain but did that send off red flags in my stubborn head other than to slow me down a bit? No. I kept on playing and enjoyed my time with my kids and players.
The ride home was filled with embarrassment as I tried to logically explain to my wife my inner drive and ambition to have fun regardless of the pain. She thinks I'm a bit foolish. Of course at the time I was boasting of a broken bone which really sounds much more serious.
2 full days later, the top of my foot is slightly swollen and I can tell it will color into a nice brown/yellow bruise. My ankle is a bit soar up through my outer calf and stretching the tissue on the top of the foot is still tender. Walking is somewhat painful but the more I do it the better it feels. Yesterday's church services, while long, were actually tolerable (meaning the pain in the foot not the services or religious presenters ;) ).
So the question I keep asking myself is this: Will I be ready to play in Wed night's final season match up against the #2 team and will I contribute to our team's victory, sealing #1, or be a hindrance? The next 2 days will tell. Until then, ibuprofen, ice and elevation are my friends.
In celebration of an undefeated season, including end-of-season tournament, my oldest son's team got together at a neighborhood pool with an enticing soccer field adjacent to the pool. I knew I'd be playing and brought my gear along for the occasion. The players were having a great time in the pool and after they had their share of pizza I suggested playing over on the field.
As some didn't bring proper shoes for playing, I made the brilliant suggestion that we play barefooted so as to not crunch anyone's toes. This turned out to be my fatal flaw as my ankles and feet apparently aren't as stable without my shoes.
On the first play I touched the ball, my ankle rolled and I felt something pop and give in the upper potion of my foot, below the ankle and slightly off-center on the top of the foot. I limped for a few minutes and felt it starting to give way to pain but did that send off red flags in my stubborn head other than to slow me down a bit? No. I kept on playing and enjoyed my time with my kids and players.
The ride home was filled with embarrassment as I tried to logically explain to my wife my inner drive and ambition to have fun regardless of the pain. She thinks I'm a bit foolish. Of course at the time I was boasting of a broken bone which really sounds much more serious.
2 full days later, the top of my foot is slightly swollen and I can tell it will color into a nice brown/yellow bruise. My ankle is a bit soar up through my outer calf and stretching the tissue on the top of the foot is still tender. Walking is somewhat painful but the more I do it the better it feels. Yesterday's church services, while long, were actually tolerable (meaning the pain in the foot not the services or religious presenters ;) ).
So the question I keep asking myself is this: Will I be ready to play in Wed night's final season match up against the #2 team and will I contribute to our team's victory, sealing #1, or be a hindrance? The next 2 days will tell. Until then, ibuprofen, ice and elevation are my friends.
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