So in hopes to initiate my "Road to Fitness and Health", I decided its about time to do something. I've been talking about it as long as I can remember, but in the back of my head, I had always given myself the excuse that "I was too busy...", and maybe "I'd start up next week...". This has gone on 6 months or so now. Last Saturday morning was the first in several Basketball games to be played through my church. I glady committed myself to play as I figured that would probably be a good way to start some sort of routine that I have yet to implement. Having been up all morning anyway flinging newspapers, I was trying to muster up a good reason not to go, "Uh...I've been up since 2:30 am, I am too tired to play...". It almost worked too. But I managed to talk myself into. I could only stand calling my self Fatty, Lard Butt, etc..(and a few explicits) before I made myself mad enough to hop in the car and go.
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I showed up, pumped up and ready to jam on down the court. I was welcomed by my other 30-40-50 something year old team mates. It was time to start and I was offered the floor to another player, "You go ahead...I'll go in next quarter" Really, I was freaked out at the thought of actually going through with this. I mean, I probably have not really played Basketball for 20 years or so. Sure, I have shot hoops in the driveway with my kids...but never on a team - never against a team.
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First quarter ended, a team member came off the court breathing heavy, looking like he just got the snot kicked out of him. "Go in for me...", he said between inhales (I don't remember him exhaling). Alright, I was in. Running back and forth a couple of minutes and I did not feel winded at all. Things were looking good, until someone through me the ball. Should I pass or should I shoot? I had to think fast. If I missed, so what - what would I have to lose. I have looked like an idiot on several occasions in throughout my life. I took the shot. Whoosh! One of those slow mo moments like you see in in the movies. It went in! I was ecstatic! Screaming on the inside, "I can do this, I really can!!!"
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A few minutes later, I found myself in the middle of a clump of sweaty old guys trying to get the rebound. I jumped, got pushed in mid air, and landed smack down on my tail bone. The pain was unmeasurable as I could feel my spine come shooting out of my throat. My first reaction normally would've been to blurt out some obscenities, but quickly remembered that even though I was in the gym, I was still in the "House Of The Lord". I am not saying I wasn't thinking it, I just kept myself from saying it. I slowly gathered my composure, looked over at the bench to see if someone was going to come in for me, but their eyes were turned down to the other end of the court, focusing on the game. I decided I could work the pain out of my system by continuing to play. I finished that quarter, and played another. My kids came to watch Dad, I think that made the whole situation more bearable. Something about having the kids around tends to always make even the worst of situations o.k. My son spoke up, "Dad...I think you need a butt doctor." That I did. I did not make another basket, but I did last through the third quarter. We won. After that, I was done. Or was I?
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I spent the weekend in extreme pain, unable to walk like a normal homosapien, let alone sleep or do anything else productive.
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Last night, there was another game. It being a night game, I didn't think we would have a good turn out on my team. Didn't think that anyone would remember, or wouldn't get home from work in time, etc... I thought I could easily wimp out of this one as well. "Oooh, I am still too sore to play..." But I didn't. I actually looked forwarded to going. Turns out, we had enough guys show up that we could've had three teams. Guess everyone heard how fun Saturdays game was. Great, there was enough guys there that I wouldn't have to put myself through any physical strain. Wrong. Something about peer pressure, even at church, got the best of me. I played. Again I made one shot. But one quarter was enough for me. I wanted to die, but felt a sense of achievement for being there and participating. It was a great game. We tied the game with 3 seconds left on the clock and went into "Overtime". From there, we went on to win another game. Is there another game this week? I sure as hell hope not. Ow. Ow. Ow.
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A movie about Basketball within my church came out a couple years back. It was a little entertaining. Probably 3 out of 5. I only watched it because Gary Coleman from "Different Strokes" was in it. Click HERE to view the trailer.
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