I've written about getting back into sport a couple of times in the past 6 weeks since I jumped into the training. It all started in June when I was recruited to the local team under the influence of a few pints.
https://peakd.com/blogging/@niallon11/any-attempt-is-better-than-no-attempt
Having no fitness and never having played the sport of hurling before it was a tough ask but the I thought that the level would be manageable for what we call "Junior Hurling" or the equivalent of Sunday league soccer.
At least it is down home. I've since found out that they take it a lot more seriously up in my new townland and that the levels are far ahead of what I expected. Most of these lads are quite fit and have been playing this game their whole lives. And it's not an easy game. The speed and skill when played at a high level are unbelievable. Now this is still a long way off the top level but the players know what they are doing.
I'm starting from zero and trying to play catch up the whole way.
https://peakd.com/sports/@niallon11/starting-small-to-get-better-kuj
Time and effort.
I have always stressed these two factors at being the key to success in any field. Unfortunately I don't have the time that i would like to practice more but I have been putting in the effort where i can. I've made every training session which is better than most of the team and I've been practicing skills at home and building fitness at home on the exercise bike in the evenings.
Every day that I can gain a millimeter on the others is helping to catch them. I play the same game in crypto. Every day that you show up and do anything is a gain on the people who didn't.
And you can see and feel these gains. Every week it gets bigger and better through hard work and consistency. Hive grows every week and my fitness is growing every week.
I have a few days of this week so we had a severe team training Tuesday evening. Then yesterday i went to the pitch myself and practiced shooting for over an hour. Then in the evening i did the exercise bike and some exercises. My body is sore today from it. But I'm hoping to do similar again today while i have the time and with training again tomorrow evening that would be a good week.
Our first championship match is on Tuesday so that is the first goal. I don't mind if i play or not since the others are still well above me in terms of fitness and skill but I want to be prepared if i do play any bit of it. And that is just match one of five in the group stages so there is still time for improvement.
You have to enjoy it.
There is no point and you won't do the work if you don't enjoy it. I remember when i was younger and hated training. I was fitter back then and playing a different sport but never wanted to train just play games.
It's funny how goals and priorities change over time. Now I'm just enjoying the training, getting fitter and being competitive with a group again. I don't mind whether i even play or not.
I still want to win matches but my version of winning has changed too.
With our team playing on Tuesday I want the team win to keep the training going and to get out of our group. It's a great bunch of lads on the team and they have all welcomed me in as an outsider in a very small circle which doesn't always happen. It's that attitude that helps my growth and adds to the team.
We should always remember that. Pushing people away form joining hurts the whole group. New people bring new ideas, new motivation, more competition and more motivation.
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