Socmed

                 Soccer Meditation

      So one of the things I have been doing recently is doing what I call, "soccer meditation". I always like to do pull ups at some point in the day, every day. A couple years back I installed a pull up bar in my apartment between my bedroom door posts to help me accomplish this daily goal. I was thinking about installing another one around the yard so I could be outside when I needed to not be distracted by all the things going on inside. Instead of that I have been doing one better. After work on my way home (actually it is a little out of the way) I stop by a youth soccer field and do pull ups on the unused soccer goals. 

      I call these, "soccer meditations" because it's not really a work out but rather an excuse to get outside and breath the chilly and invigorating autumn air. I park the car, get out and start my timer. I run easy to the far soccer field that's not being used and do 15 pulls on one and run to the other and do the same. I do a minimum of 60 pull ups and some push ups in between the last set. I do this all with a headlight on cause of the darkness being so overbearing this time of year. I finish up the soccer meditation with an easy run around all the sports field followed by some easy stretching. Easy easy easy is the key. I don't want to make this turn into a workout but rather just a way to get the blood flowing and relax my brain a tad before the ride home. 

      Besides of the benefit of being outside and breathing the fresh, crisp air I've also believe it has help me prevent an injury. During the week I wear a set of Merrell trail shoes that are basically a strip of leather with laces. Doing these quick 1 mile runs in these barefoot shoes on the slightly uneven soccer turf I feel help move the foot around in a variety of ways. Variety is the spice of life. Instead of the same motion over and over again which is a recipe for injury. The uneven surface forces me to use different muscles that would be not otherwise be used on a run on the roads. 

      This variety that is found on grass and trails is one reason I prefer the woods over the streets. There's also a sense of peace that isn't the same as it is when you hit the roads. Having not to deal with the crazy Long Island drivers is another benefit of searching out trails and fields.  

      But the real key for me to really enjoy these little skips is the fresh, chilly air. Breathing is enjoyable not merely something I do on a regular basis. The coolness seems to revitalize my body and energize my brain or visa versa. It's just one more excuse for me to be outside. It's also amazing to look up at the night sky and see the stars. I don't really get a chance to see it by me cause of all the light pollution. It was exceptionally starry the day I went there when they canceled all the youth soccer practice. I really needed my headlight that particular night but the solitude was a nice needed retreat, even if it was only for 15-20 minutes. That's how long it usually takes me before I end with some stretching and make the ride back home. I have a feeling this socmed may get extended in the future knowing my way of overdoing things. But for now it's a nice way to start my commute back home.  

"Remember to breathe"

-Barton