Hockey times

I played hockey on Monday night and Tuesday at lunch. Monday night was a tough one. We got our butts kicked, and I felt like I was never really that close to the puck. Good workout, but not all that satisfying.

I signed up for the Tuesday session because hockey is my only consistent activity right now and one day a week isn't enough. I'm glad I went. I scored a hat trick, and felt great out there. It just reinforced how different (and unexpectedly good) each workout can be.

That's all from up north. Snow in the forecast for tomorrow night, and skiing on Saturday.

Later boys.

Hockey

Played a really fun game of hockey last night. Great passing, fast pace, a goal and a couple of assists. Playing more than once a week has transformed the sport for me. For the last two years, I've endured each session because of fitness levels. Now, I'm starting to get into a flow and improve. Progression like that is a kick.

Changing Gears

I still haven't run since the CCM, but I'm getting a glimmer of desire to hit the roads again. I'm thinking it will happen next week.

In the meantime, I've fallen into a heavy hockey schedule. I played Monday night at 9:00, Tuesday at noon, and I just got invited to play tomorrow at lunch. I'm hoping to settle in to a Mon night/Thurs lunch rotation, so I was psyched to get the invitation for tomorrow's skate. It's pretty cool interspersing a team sport with the running. You'd think there'd be more intense comraderie in a team-based setting, but the connections I'm forming on ice are similar to those I've formed with fellow runners. It's all about creating space to share similar experiences and passions.

Anyway, on the training front, I'll be interested to see how the extra sessions impact my fitness on the ice and on the road.

Later boys.

Hockey night

Played hockey with my normal Monday night men's league crew last night. We convinced a buddy to join us, and it was his first time on the ice in any kind of organized way in 23 years. He had fun, and we were glad to have another guy join the team. Another example of bonding/community through sport.

Three short runs on tap for me this week. Got a pre-race massage today. One hour of work mainly on my legs. Felt great.

Hockey lessons

I skated today for the second week in a row with a lunch time adult hockey league. After sucking wind in week 1, I paced myself with very short shifts through the first have of the hour session. By the end, I was tired, but had way more energy than the prior week. I could actually compete on my last shift. Yet another lesson that it's all about pacing. So important for running and, as it turns out, hockey. I wish I would've figured that out two years ago! Would have saved me a lot of exhaustion on the ice over the past couple of seasons.

Oh, and I scored two goals. Can't beat that feeling.

Are you ready for some...

Hockey?!

I played my first hockey game of the season with the local men's hockey league last night. Man, absolutely nothing can prepare you for that workout. It was like a full 90 minutes of wind sprints. There were no dry heaves, but I did plenty of gliding around the ice, watching the puck go by just out of reach. I managed a couple of shots on goal and one deflection that almost found the back of the net. It was a fun time, and a perfect "cross train" for the early part of my taper week. Two more short (very short) runs on tap this week before it's go time on Sunday.