Hockey, Revisited

Man, it’s amazing how much time I got back after leaving a certain organization six months ago. I actually have time! Energy! Ambition! Thoughts! Wants! I never really realized how badly it was dragging me down until this past couple of weeks. I actually want to do things that I didn’t have the time or inclination to do.

So as a result of this burst of energy, I have something to work towards. I mentioned in my previous post that I had, once upon a time, played roller hockey. That is my goal to get back to. Nothing will happen for at least six months–first, school won’t allow it (i’m taking three classes in the fall), and I’ll be done in December, praise God. Secondly, finishing school not only clears up time but money for league fees. Third, I have to make my fat ass less fat and build a fitness baseline before I ever gear up.

The big bummer of it all is that the popularity of adult roller hockey is on the downswing (the upside? I got nice Mission skates for $99–ten years ago you couldn’t touch a pair of Missions for under $300). In the Phoenix area, the leagues all seem to be on the west end. The Rink closed a couple of years ago–it’s really too bad, because it was really convenient for the East Valley folks; I wonder if Larry, JoJo and Steve got tired of it. I think there used to be a rink in Scottsdale back when I was playing, but I think that’s long gone now. No, the only rinks with leagues I can find are Castle Sports Club, Casey at the Bat, the Arizona Sports Complex, and Rollerplex. No big deal, right?

Wrong.

I live near I-10 and the new 101 loop. I was at Rollerplex last night to check it out after having dinner with a friend of mine from the west valley, and coming home–with minimal traffic at 9:30pm–was nearly an entire hour. The Rollerplex is the farthest out from what I can tell–at 75th Avenue and Bell, nearly 40 miles door to door for me last night–and I honestly don’t think it’s worth the drive. If gas weren’t so astronomical right now, it wouldn’t be so bad; but because there’s no end in sight, there’s no way I’m going to drive that far across the Valley. After a long day at work, a long drive out, getting my ass handed to me in a game and then a hour drive home? Nah.

The west end venues probably take a hit because of the gas prices–probably, hell, they have to be eating it.

I think it’s time for a resurgence for adult roller hockey.

Is there some trophy wife who wants a hobby, and who wants to invest in the old location of The Rink? Any other ideas? I read a rumor that there may be an East Valley Venue.

Come out and play… let’s play… who’s bored?

~~

I started the following workout from Dave Draper’s site. It doesn’t look evil on paper, but holy God is it brutal when you superset it.

Laree’s 8-Week
Trim Down

Drop your calories by 100-200 calories per day by cutting out *one* item of unnecessary or junk food. Then do the following, making your own necessary adjustments that will allow you to continue this routine for two full months.

Every workout:
10-minute cardio warmup
5-minute rotator cuff and knee bend warmup
Crunches 3×15 (slow and focused) supersetted with leg raises 3×15

Then superset everything else in the workout, moving as quickly as you can. By the end of the 8 weeks, this is expected to be non-stop. Grab a gulp of water between supersets and keep going.

MONDAY

Leg curls 5×12
tri-setted with
Leg extensions 5×12 and
Calf raises 5×15

Front squats 5×10, deep as you can go
supersetted with
HyperExtensions 5×15

Incline dumbbell press 4×12
supersetted with
Chins or wide-grip pulldowns 4×12

Dumbbell incline flys 4×12
supersetted with
Seated lat row 4×12

TUESDAY
Split workout am/pm or together as suits your schedule and energy

Cardio Workout
Run 1 fast mile (whatever fast means to you – could be walk/run if you haven’t been running lately)

WEIGHTS:
Standing overhead press 5×10
supersetted with
Calf raises 5×20

Barbell curls 4×12
tri-setted with
Close-grip bench press 4×12
and
Pulley pushdowns 4×12

Zottman curls 4×12
supersetted with
Dips or bench dips 4×12 or Max

Wrist curls 2×15
supersetted with
Reverse wrist curls 2×15

WEDNESDAY

Deadlifts 5×10, in single stop-reps
supersetted with
HyperExtensions 5×15

Stiff-legged deadlifts 5×15
supersetted with
Leg curls 5×12

Flat dumbbell press 4×12
supersetted with
One-arm dumbbell rows 4×10

Pullovers (DB or bar) 4×15
supersetted with
Close-grip pulldowns 4×12

THURSDAY – Split workout

Cardio Workout
Run 1 fast mile

WEIGHTS:
Repeat Tuesday’s workout

FRIDAY

Repeat Monday’s workout

SATURDAY

Cardio Workout
Run 1 fast mile

SUNDAY

Rest Day – Take a walk or a bike ride if you want to burn some energy outdoors

I’m just now getting over my soreness from Monday, just to do Monday’s workout tomorrow and be sore again. I think it was the lunges–trying to sit on the toilet to do my business has been interesting all week. I did the one for Thursday this morning and it was good, though the overhead presses were harsh with my absolute lack of tone. The calf raises burned like hell.

The big problem is not me, and not the workout; I really like the structure and the movement of this program (’supersetting’ is doing exercises one immediately after another with little or no break, keeping a rhythm and the heart rate up). It’s the fact that I belong to a megagym with all these poser people from the foothills who hang on equipment and hog areas. I couldn’t do the pulldowns today because these studmuffins were jacking around. If I don’t get in there until 4 because of work, I’m screwed–the place is a zoo. I had to walk out on Tuesday after my cardio because it was so crazy.

Oh well, I’ll manage.

You should see the looks I get: this fat chick working out, getting her ass kicked, but she has perfect form and is comfortable on the gym floor. I’m sure some of the muscleheads are scratching their heads. It has to be quite the sight.

Going to see where I can skate–still too hot yet (113 today last I checked). I have to suspend my hikes for the summer for safety’s sake until I get that baseline fitness–no S&R is coming for me, thank you.

~~

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!