A Thought From Kris22
Lately I’ve gotten this sudden urge to be the best. I’ve begun to push myself in my workouts mostly, but I’ve also started to enforce a healthy diet. Getting back to playing soccer has suddenly become a priority. For a reason I cannot explain, every time I think of playing soccer I think about being brutal, unstoppable, and the flat out best player on the field. I can’t shake the feeling that this is what is necessary to achieve. In my previous ACL injury, I felt this sensation in small bursts, just enough to keep me going. Now, this burst of determination is constant. It’s all I’ve been thinking about. I need to get back on the field. I need to be bulletproof. I need to be the best one out there. I just need it.
The hard part is, I don’t necessarily want soccer back. I don’t want to play in college, I want to go to study pre-med or perhaps and english major. I don’t want to be a professional, but I need to be the best. I need to say that I came back. I have to; I couldn’t live with myself if I never returned.
The worst thing that could possibly happen when I’m back playing soccer is that I tear my ACL yet again. Honestly, I couldn’t care less. The pain doesn’t bother me anymore, nothing really does. If I were to tear my ACL again, I would laugh. I would look fate straight in the eye, pat him on the back, and tell him that he’s a funny guy. Maybe it’s stupid not to care, but what have I got to lose? I’ve lost both ACLs; I’ve gained two experiences that have shaped the person I am today. It seems to me like a fair trade off!
Anyways, back to the working out. I’ve created what I like to call an “active mile.” Down the street there is a local track where every lap is one third of a mile. It’s big and narrow and close by, so when I’m not running in the neighborhood I’m usually there running sprints. Today I went down to the track for a normal workout. I warmed up with a jog as usual, but then I was struck with a brilliant idea! The second full lap I did a combination of plyometrics, agility exercises, and squats and lunges. After a full lap of this, my legs were pretty worn out. Then, I got that sudden burst of determination to be the best, and so I did a full lap of build-up sprints. I found that it was an incredible workout AND it really helped build strength and endurance in my knee! I plan on doing two “active miles” the next time I get out to the track. I am actually quite proud of my improvised workout. It makes me feel like I can be the best in all different areas of my game. Maybe next time I’ll even incorporate a soccer ball in it so I can get some extra touches! So many possibilities! As you can see, I’m pretty excited. I will definitely recommend it to all my fellow “friends in kneed!”
-Kris22
"Could I have been playing harder or faster so I would have avoided being hurt? When I received a photo of the play that caused my injury I felt better..."
Hey Kris22, you are on the right track! For most of us sport is a way of life, not all of life. Enjoy the game, and go forward with your dreams on all fronts. What a story you are writing!