As you may or may not know, I used to play soccer back when I was a young buck (9 to be exact) and continued all the way up through middle and high school. 

In addition to all the other sports I've played in my life such as football and baseball, soccer is definitely my favorite.  To me, it's a game that not only requires a high level of athletic skill, but also a large amount of superior conditioning as well. 

I was first introduced to the sport when I lived in The Netherlands back in 1985.  And it was only inevitable that I learn the sport right away as they eat, drink and sleep it over there.  To them, soccer is what football is to us.  It's HUGE.

Well, just yesterday, I played my first soccer game in over 13 years! 

My brother-in-law, who I now live near, is part of a league and asked me a couple months ago if I would be interested in playing. 

At first I wasn't sure.  Between business and spending time with my wife, I didn't think I could fit it into my schedule.

But after getting the ok from Brighid (yes, I do make my own decisions :), and my brother-in-law, Rich, reminding me about it again a couple days ago - I was all about it!

Now as you know, I consider myself in great shape.  I do The In-Home Personal Trainer circuits 3x a week with my wife in our basement, and I some type of cardio at least 5x a week. 

At 31, I believe I'm in better shape than I was back in high school at 18, so I wasn't in the least bit intimidated by starting up again.  And even though this was indoor soccer I was going to be playing and I was primarily used to outdoor, I still thought I'd be fine and ready for the action. 

Before our game started, I watched the closing minutes of two other teams playing and the adrenaline immediately started to pump through my veins.  I was excited and ready to go!

We warmed up for 5 minutes and the game soon got under way. 

Well, I would soon find out that I was in for the rudest awakening because after only 6 minutes into the first quarter, I was freaking EXHAUSTED!  Seriously, I thought my lungs were going to explode out of my chest!    

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Even though I have been doing cardio almost every day since I have become a trainer, it didn't matter one i-ota, my body wasn't even close to being prepared for THIS type shock.  And that's because I soon discovered that indoor soccer it's MUCH faster paced than outdoor.  I mean, I was basically sprinting the ENTIRE game.  Not running mind you...sprinting! 

While outdoor is challenging and you're running a lot, it's a bigger field with more players (11) per team and allows you to recover more quickly.

But with indoor, there are only 5 players a team, a much smaller field and the pace is lightning fast.  Within seconds you're catapulted all over the field playing both offense and defense.  And let me tell you, it's the most psycho cardio workout you'll ever do in your life! 

I would not doubt that while I was out there, my heart rate was at 90-100 percent of its maximum threshold...even though it felt like 150!

By the time the fourth quarter came around, I was beat. 

THANK GOD there were subs that could fill in throughout the game, because I'm not sure if my arse would have survived being out in the field for 4 - 12 minute quarters.  I barely made it through 3.

Anyway, the score was tied at 2 through 2 quarters, but the other team managed to pull away from us and we ended up losing 6-3.  Bummer. 

According to Rich, the opposing team aka, "The Ballers", were the best in the league.  (Just my luck they were my first game.:)  But considering they were all in their late teens / early twenties and had been playing together for years I didn't feel that bad.

WOW, what an experience. 

Even though I was completely zonked after the game, I was already thinking about the next time we were going to play.  The way I see it, I get an amazing workout, I'm playing a sport I love and I get to meet some new people along the way.  Not too shabby.

Now, I don't recommend YOU going the same route I did (unless you're insane :), but
I DO recommend picking up some type of recreational sport you like...i.e., racquetball, tennis, softball, volleyball, golf and so on... in addition to your normal strength and cardio training every week if you can fit it in.   

It would be a great change of pace for you and after all, it's better than sitting on your couch watching the idiot box...right?

That's all for now.  Hope you have a nice day.

Yours in Total Fitness and Maximum Success,

Jim Coughlin