Skate Blades versus Wheels?
One hour after I made my food choice I realized it was a bad one.
I’m almost 50 and fall under the old-guy category. Bobby Orr and Brad Park were my heroes. I cheered when Team USA beat the Russians in 1980. Many of my teammates weren’t yet born and ESPN was barely five months old.I grew up playing ice hockey in Colorado and played a year of junior hockey in Sweden. My claim to fame was making the All-Area High School team but that was long ago. I’ve since migrated to a warmer climate devoid of Zambonis. In rural Northern California, we have more duck blinds than ice rinks. So, I joined the in-line epidemic, a sacrilege for any die-hard, old-school, ice hockey player. Hockey on wheels? In-line is akin to kissing a cousin, but I tried it and liked it, in-line hockey that is. The actual skating technique was surprisingly similar…but I couldn’t stop.
I’ve resurrected my routine from years past with some minor adjustments. I arrive at the arena thirty minutes early to limber up instead of looking for girls. Stretching is a key to my survival; so is pre-medicating with a handful of painkillers. I now compete against players who are faster than gazelles, gazelles that are 20 years younger. I hate eating their dust. I’m not easily embarrassed but still have pride.
Between my bantam and high school years I grew a foot taller and could eat anything. Pasta, fried chicken, horse-meat (I’m kidding)…the calories filled my hollow leg. I’m more careful today but occasionally suffer mental lapses. I eat my pre-game meal two hours before suiting up to make sure my body has enough time to process it. One day I ran late and hunted through the refrigerator. It was barren except for three Polish sausages and a jar of sauerkraut. Behind the mustard I stumbled upon fries and sourdough bread. I reckoned sauerkraut qualified as a vegetable. I scrounged a feast and demolished it.
I sped to the arena and arrived disheveled. At least I didn’t get a traffic ticket. My buddies were already warming up. I tied my skates and rushed onto the rink. Immediately after the face-off, stomach rumblings forewarned of impending doom. I ditched my teammates and raced to the men’s room. My wheels spun with no way to stop. The toilet did that job.
Had disaster struck on the rink, my teammates would have un-friended me on Facebook, or worse. I completed the game in good physical status albeit several pounds lighter. I can’t remember the game’s outcome but will remember what not to eat next time. My brain must remind my stomach it can no longer tolerate a haphazard diet. It’s great playing hockey again. Even if it means I need to use the commode to brake.
So, I offer my younger comrades sage advice: Never eat the entire recommended daily allowance of anything just before playing a game.
Eric skates with the Hamilton City Hockey Club. Visit his site at http://etcguy.com or contact him at eric@etcguy.com.
I am curious to find out what blog platform you have been using?
I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more safe.
Do you have any recommendations?
The Chico ER’s norcalblog.com and HockeyPlayer.com use WordPress. My other site (www.etcguy.com) is a Tumblr platform. My brain’s trying to learn both… I suggest experimenting, reviewing other blogs, maybe even hire an IT guru if you can. I learned alot form reading AmyLynnAndrews.com, a sweet gal that offers better advice. Good luck!
Amazing blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any ideas? Thanks!
Hi…I’ve started with Tumblr and am also working with WordPress. See my other comment below about blogger Amy Lynn Andrews. She has GREAT info on blog mechanics. Good luck and thanks for reading!
Hi Vincent, I suggest a free WordPress platform to gain some experience. The technology certainly challenges me. Good luck. Eric
stay away from the garbage cans – that’s where the kids go to puke
Hah, funny! But garbage cans are a suitable back-up “receptacle” for dumb guys like me that over eat before playing. Thanks for reading.
Always good advice to avoid trash cans at hockey rinks! Eric
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Gracias (I think?). I took German and know a bit of Swedish. I can get equally lost in several countries. Thanks for commenting. Eric
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Thanks for the writeup, it was an amusing account. How can I contact you?
Thank you appreciate your kind words. Feel free to contact me at eric@etcguy.com. Eric