Category Archives: sports

Ski Adventure

 

two of  my boys, ready to go
So, snow skiing isn’t really my thing.
Let’s face it, I grew up in the south. The closest I came to being a good snow skier was when I dated a guy who was a great skier. He was born in Switzerland, took ski trips to Vermont and Utah, blah, blah, blah.  Water skiing is more my thing.
But here I am, raising kids in the land of cold and snow, so from time to time you’ll find me on the slopes.  I cheer them on as they brave the steep hills then slowly make my way towards the ones for smaller children. They’re more my speed, you know?
So it was that yesterday morning, I dragged myself out of bed way too early—and the kids, too—and headed north. (My husband, Starbucks in hand, was his usual, chipper, early-morning self.)
Me? I was a grumpy bear.
I was grumpy because I was awake, grumpy because it’s a complete hassle getting everyone into gear, and grumpy because I’m just not that good.
When we finally got out there, it took a good hour for me to shake off the grumpies.  And then? Then it was awesome!  Around 5:00 my husband suggested that maybe we should pack up for the day. But I wasn’t ready.  Back out we went, the kids flying down hills I’ll never ski, and me feeling braver, and more relaxed, on the easier hills.
Maybe an old dog can learn new tricks.

In Praise of Tree Pose

photo by lululemonathletica

Picture this:  A woman who practices yoga, who’s drawn to both its difficulty and peacefulness, someone who carves out precious time several days a week to do sun salutations and hold tree pose.
Now this:  A woman sprinting up and down the basketball court, looking for a good pass, taking a shot, boxing out as if there were no tomorrow.
Put them together and you’ll find me there:  it’s an odd mix of interests, even to me.  The morning after we play basketball, some of my teammates come back to the gym to take an intense cardio class, which runs at the same time as a class of mine.  They tease me about my yoga mat, we laugh about my “stretching.”  And to be sure, in the other room they are running hard, and doing sit-ups and other old school exercises that remind me of high school basketball practice.  It’s a workout.  
So why don’t I join them?
For starters, I’ve never been a fan of classes at the gym.  Back in the day I tried, believe me.  Step aerobics was nearly the death of me—there isn’t a single thing about those types of classes that motivates me.  Sure, I can sign up and show up but it will be short lived.  There’s no pull there.
Yoga pulls me.  The dim room and the personal challenge and the depth of concentration whisper my name.  I’m stronger now.  My mind is focused.  I’m present.
I’ve been an athlete all my life and I know my days on the court are limited.  But the mat?  I think we’ll be well acquainted for a very long time.