Use it or Lose It?

A case for practice

Do you want to just DO IT or say. I USED to do this 20 years ago?

    It was not until my 30”s that I understood a statement that my high school football coach repeatedly said.  Coach O’Brien always said something to the effect of:  “Winning comes down to how much you REALLY want it”.

    At the time I understood this to mean are you really putting out 110 per cent on the field as you played.  I believe what the coach was conveying is that if you really want it you must devote time and energy into practice, physically and mentally improving your skill set, preparing and rehearsing for those moments you will be performing.

     This translates into physical Fitness,  the study of techniques , strategy , every detail that helps you perform in your chosen discipline.

    Recently I celebrated my 70th Birthday in the mountains of the Sierra Nevadas, above Bridgeport, CA.  On a short hike prior to going out fishing I went off trail.  I had to cross two boulder laden stream beds to get back to the main trail.  I was elated as to the comfort  and confidence I had to boulder hop, much better than on previous trips up camping.  

I had, after my first summer outing resigned myself to hike more, especially on uneven terrain.

   “Use it or lose it”. always seems like a logical simple statement of fact.   I think because the years go by quickly and seamlessly, we forget that several or many may have passed before we go out and do an activity encore.   Our memories of skiing a steep powder slope seems like yesterday and back then when we were in peak shape it was so easy.  So, we go from sitting in front of a computer screen to seven or eight thousand feet above sea level and charge the mountain with full vigor.  Whatever sport or activity you know the results and are lucky to avoid any injuries.

  The point here is when planning an activity after a sedentary period,  we take the time to prepare our bodies for said activity beforehand.  We should take advantage of the many posts and videos on the vast internet so we can prepare for our planned activity, being a walk, hike, friendly softball game, golf , tennis, skiing, cycling, etc.

   Certainly there may be a few sore muscles afterward but your enjoyment will be elevated and the confidence that you can do it again in the future maintained. 

So let’s not say “ I was pretty good 20 years ago at this”.  Let’s just DO IT.

 Go SportingSeniors!