another season in the books

another season in the books. brutesquad v.7.0 finished 5th at nationals, and it was another gorgeous weekend (despite the wind) for ultimate. of course, after all was said and done, i made the trip to sarasota because i wanted to go and be there and celebrate my friends' and their successes this season. as i've said time after time after time: arriving at the fields on thursday morning NEVER. GETS. OLD. never. this is the healthiest i've been since my injury three years ago, and i had a huge rush of adrenaline pumping through me as we parked the car....and i wasn't even playing! it felt good to be so close to playing that i was actually happy this time around.

ironsides lost in the finals to jam, and it sucked to see friends lose, but i couldn't be more motivated than to see my friends, people i know, playing in the finals. that all i could think about after seeing jasper, danny, jeff, ryan, holzer, and paul batten....awesome people and friends....playing in the finals, i wanted so badly to compete at that level again. that i was going to do everything that i could do to be ready to play next summer. that it is finally time to return to ultimate. because i haven't done all i can in that sport, and that i have so much more to learn and to improve on, and that i want just one more chance to prove to myself (and to others) that i am good at ultimate. really effin good.

but. yes, but. it starts at day one, and proceeds one day at a time. and i'm not going to get to the finals at nationals without putting in the time and energy now. must stay in the moment, and use the future as motivation for the moment. i've been diligent this long, and i can't forget what i did to get me to this point. : ) so, i started lunges phase 1 on tuesday. and, it was AMAZING. i was pleasantly surprised with myself. i held the lunge on each leg for three minutes straight! i guess i am a little stronger than i was in january. : ) tuesday was encouraging, and i really really really really believe that my time has come, and it's all up to me to take advantage of the time that i have now, and get to work if i really want to play next season. no regrets. taking life one day at a time.

phase 1, day 1
tuesday, november 4
hold lunge continuously for 3 minutes on each leg
left leg - 3 minutes in one hold
right leg - 3 minutes in one hold

phase 1, day 2
thursday, november 6
ditto day 1
left leg - 3 minutes in one hold
right leg - 2:45 in one hold; :15 in the second hold

knee feels great. flexion is still improving. scar tissue needs to get out of the way. or, if it doesn't want to get out of the way, it needs to move enough so i can run, sprint, jump, cut, and do all the frisbee-related things i need it to do. still very excited about being able to hold the lunge in one try.

more rambling to come soon and more often. for now, it's thursday night, i'm done with classes for the week, and i should either go home or join people for thirsty thursday fun times. watching a ballroom dance class at mit makes my night. -me : )