So, a sensible decision has been reached and there will be no more hasty monthly passes being purchased any time soon. The fact that I hate the gym with a passion right now made the choice a pretty easy one.
Why the hell would you want to run 5km and yet still be staring out of that same window, with people sniggering at you as they walk past? It’s like I am running away from the gym....only to find that there is no way out, nightmare! I love playing sport and would happily do that 5 times a week without a problem. Bring the gym into the equation however and it’s just not going to happen.
This week I had an unexpected call-up to the 2nds. It was a game of many ups and downs for me, I picked up an injury in the warm up which although was just a pulled muscle, worsened as the game progressed.
I was scheduled to play at full-back, but I was switched to wing at the last minute which was pretty awful! I possess little pace or acceleration, so it wasn’t ideal.
Spartans were able to call on a massive bench after being behind at half-time which left us 28-19 down with 5 minutes to go. Some resilient work from the forwards meant that we had set up camp in their 22 and before I knew it I had the ball 10 yards out and with no-one in front of me! I don’t think I’ve ever concentrated so hard on not dropping the ball, which I managed to do successfully and cross the line for my first try of the season.
Unfortunately even after more sustained pressure it wasn’t to be and the game finished 28-24. This week I’m making a welcome return to the 3rds which is where I belong for the foreseeable future! It was an invaluable experience playing 80-minutes in the 2nds but it reminded me of the need to get properly match fit!
Friday, 24 October 2008
Thursday, 16 October 2008
Man of the Match?!
Being a student and all, I tend to have a knack of spotting a bargain. I invested in a 30-day gym pass for £18, instead of paying £2.50 each time I went. As long as I went twice a week (I planned to go 3-4 times) then I would have saved money.
However, 3 weeks into the month and I’ve actually only gone twice, yes that means I haven’t been since the last time I blogged, woeful! But I’ve been busy! Taking time out to write this for example means I am unable to sweat it out at the gym as I had planned to do this morning! You can’t have it all...
With regards to the rugby side of things, progress is being made. I made it through my first full 80 minutes on Saturday which was pleasing, but somewhat painful. It’s Thursday now, and I’ve only just began to get over the aches and pains and the headache from a stud to the head.
It was an early meet up to allow for a trip into the forest and to Drybrook RFC. Unfortunately the plans for a good old-fashioned post-match knees up were quashed by the lack of a mini-bus and/or designated driver. The inevitable jeers of “they’ve probably got six toes!” and “is that his sister?” were quickly silenced as we were completely outplayed on the pitch. The final score was something like 45-0 although I don’t think anyone was that intent on keeping count!
I played at full-back, which is quickly becoming a more familiar role to me, and despite the heavy defeat I was touted as one of our contenders for man of the match. No confirmation however, so I guess I’ll have to pick the bottle of champagne up next week! To be honest though it probably just means I played less crap than the previous two weeks! Having played three games to date I’m really starting to enjoy it as the initial nerves are wearing off.
Saturday brings with it an unknown fixture, mainly due to the fact that I haven’t received the weekly confirmation text and the Cheltenham North website isn’t quite up to scratch! Nevertheless there is a game and hopefully another run out at full-back (never thought I’d say that!). Social commitments on Friday night may somewhat hinder my performance, but let’s hope not!
However, 3 weeks into the month and I’ve actually only gone twice, yes that means I haven’t been since the last time I blogged, woeful! But I’ve been busy! Taking time out to write this for example means I am unable to sweat it out at the gym as I had planned to do this morning! You can’t have it all...
With regards to the rugby side of things, progress is being made. I made it through my first full 80 minutes on Saturday which was pleasing, but somewhat painful. It’s Thursday now, and I’ve only just began to get over the aches and pains and the headache from a stud to the head.
It was an early meet up to allow for a trip into the forest and to Drybrook RFC. Unfortunately the plans for a good old-fashioned post-match knees up were quashed by the lack of a mini-bus and/or designated driver. The inevitable jeers of “they’ve probably got six toes!” and “is that his sister?” were quickly silenced as we were completely outplayed on the pitch. The final score was something like 45-0 although I don’t think anyone was that intent on keeping count!
I played at full-back, which is quickly becoming a more familiar role to me, and despite the heavy defeat I was touted as one of our contenders for man of the match. No confirmation however, so I guess I’ll have to pick the bottle of champagne up next week! To be honest though it probably just means I played less crap than the previous two weeks! Having played three games to date I’m really starting to enjoy it as the initial nerves are wearing off.
Saturday brings with it an unknown fixture, mainly due to the fact that I haven’t received the weekly confirmation text and the Cheltenham North website isn’t quite up to scratch! Nevertheless there is a game and hopefully another run out at full-back (never thought I’d say that!). Social commitments on Friday night may somewhat hinder my performance, but let’s hope not!
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
Fly-half? No thanks!
Another week, another feeble effort at getting into shape! Much like last week, I managed a woeful single trip to the gym and only a 45-minute effort at that. Maybe I need to delve into quantum physics, Buddhism, and grow my hair!
It’s better than nothing though I suppose, and it seemed to stand me in good stead for another 40 minutes of action packed, sweat filled fun on Saturday. When I turned up I was surprised to see I was in the starting line-up, which was an absolute disaster considering the shape I was in after the second half last week.
To make matters worse I was in at fly-half. It’s a position that is familiar to me, but one that demands leadership and confidence, two things I am still lacking after only one game under my belt. But, after a bit of bargaining and admitting that that I just wasn’t up to the job, I was off the hook and in at centre instead. Phew!
So, after the whistle blew for the end of the first half, with us 10-0 up, I was pleasantly surprised to be given a rest and replaced for the second half. We ran out 15-7 winners, which technically means we were worse off without my expertise...which is some consolation!
This week, I’ve set a target of two gym visits, and I’ll be updating you on my progress, good or bad. Saturday brings with it a minibus trip to Drybrook in the Forest of Dean and the first social drinking session of the season – that’s more like it! With work at 8am on Sunday morning it should be an interesting weekend, and hopefully a fifth win on the bounce for Cheltenham North 3rds.
It’s better than nothing though I suppose, and it seemed to stand me in good stead for another 40 minutes of action packed, sweat filled fun on Saturday. When I turned up I was surprised to see I was in the starting line-up, which was an absolute disaster considering the shape I was in after the second half last week.
To make matters worse I was in at fly-half. It’s a position that is familiar to me, but one that demands leadership and confidence, two things I am still lacking after only one game under my belt. But, after a bit of bargaining and admitting that that I just wasn’t up to the job, I was off the hook and in at centre instead. Phew!
So, after the whistle blew for the end of the first half, with us 10-0 up, I was pleasantly surprised to be given a rest and replaced for the second half. We ran out 15-7 winners, which technically means we were worse off without my expertise...which is some consolation!
This week, I’ve set a target of two gym visits, and I’ll be updating you on my progress, good or bad. Saturday brings with it a minibus trip to Drybrook in the Forest of Dean and the first social drinking session of the season – that’s more like it! With work at 8am on Sunday morning it should be an interesting weekend, and hopefully a fifth win on the bounce for Cheltenham North 3rds.
Thursday, 2 October 2008
A shaky return to action
My long standing new year’s resolution finally got under way on Saturday, I returned to the rugby field for the first time since.... well to be honest I can’t actually remember! Anyway, it’s been a while and the fairytale comeback didn’t entirely go to plan!
I turned up at Cheltenham North all pumped up and ready for a game with the 3rd string, only to wander into the 1st team’s changing room, followed by a swift exit! After finding the 3rds we made it out onto the village pitch for the warm-up. I say a warm up but it was reduced to a minimum, being so short on players the consensus was to avoid injury at all costs!
I started on the bench and was the only sub covering the backs, which was fine being as have played in most positions at some point in the past. Come half an hour into the game, our full-back suffers an injury and before I know it I’m running around like a headless chicken, having never played there before!
Not to mention the fact that my summer of pre-season preparation never really got going and I managed to get down to the gym only once, a few days before my first game! The referee however spared my blushes by getting a bit over excited with the whistle, so there was plenty of recovery time for a red faced blob at full-back.
We had started tremendously well, with two converted tries in the opening 20 minutes to give us a decent 14-0 lead, but we failed to trouble the scoreboard after that. Midway through the second half and Longlevens made it 14-7, forcing an agonising finish.
We held out, just about. No thanks to a hospital pass from myself on our own 5 metre line, forcing my teammate to knock on and put us under prolonged pressure for the last 10. A win’s a win though, and with the help of a few more trips down the gym this week I’m sure I’ll be in great shape for Saturday....!
I turned up at Cheltenham North all pumped up and ready for a game with the 3rd string, only to wander into the 1st team’s changing room, followed by a swift exit! After finding the 3rds we made it out onto the village pitch for the warm-up. I say a warm up but it was reduced to a minimum, being so short on players the consensus was to avoid injury at all costs!
I started on the bench and was the only sub covering the backs, which was fine being as have played in most positions at some point in the past. Come half an hour into the game, our full-back suffers an injury and before I know it I’m running around like a headless chicken, having never played there before!
Not to mention the fact that my summer of pre-season preparation never really got going and I managed to get down to the gym only once, a few days before my first game! The referee however spared my blushes by getting a bit over excited with the whistle, so there was plenty of recovery time for a red faced blob at full-back.
We had started tremendously well, with two converted tries in the opening 20 minutes to give us a decent 14-0 lead, but we failed to trouble the scoreboard after that. Midway through the second half and Longlevens made it 14-7, forcing an agonising finish.
We held out, just about. No thanks to a hospital pass from myself on our own 5 metre line, forcing my teammate to knock on and put us under prolonged pressure for the last 10. A win’s a win though, and with the help of a few more trips down the gym this week I’m sure I’ll be in great shape for Saturday....!
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