Hey Everyone! This is Allie from the Front Desk, posting my first blog article. I'm here to let you know that a world of athletics, competition and fitness continues even after you graduate from high school or college- so don't be discouraged!
I can remember my last collegiate field hockey game as if it were yesterday. On the one hand, I was elated. I scored the goal in double overtime that ended the 2012 season on a win against SUNY Brockport. On the other hand, I was devastated. I scored the goal that ended my field hockey career. I scored the goal that ended my identity as an athlete- or so I thought.
Like most athletes, I knew my journey in athletics would peak in college. I was good- actually I was really good- but I wasn't that good. There would be no professional career in field hockey for me, and this was a reality I was always well aware of, but that didn't make the end of my field hockey career any easier.
The week after field hockey was over I probably stayed in my bed for a solid week. I ate a lot of junk food and skipped a few too many classes (sorry mom). Looking back, I think I was experiencing somewhat of an identity crisis. Growing up in a house where we had push-up competitions during commercial breaks, competing (and winning) were natural tendencies that I craved- how was I going to maintain my identity as an athlete without the help of competitive, organized sport?
Needless to say, I have come to realize the joys of competing are existent, even plentiful, outside of collegiate organized sport. It has been almost two years since I scored that amazing, career ending, identity-changing goal, yet I am still highly involved in the field of athletics. Actually, I am making a career out of it.
At 23 years old, I am the assistant field hockey coach at my Alma Mater, the University of Rochester and most recently, a member of the Downtown Fitness Club (DFC) staff. My life revolves around competition, and I love every second of it.
As an assistant coach, I get to play an active role in organized sport and remain a crucial part of a team’s success. As a DFC member, I am involved in a community where members enjoy the same things I do; competing, sweating, exercising, swimming, but most importantly, pushing ourselves to our limits.
So, instead of lying in bed and thinking your athletic days are over, know that a competitive, healthy and athletic life exists once your organized sport days are over. We can’t all be the next Lebron James; life does not work out that day. However we can get active, and stay active. As John H from the DFC likes to say; “Life’s Tough. Get Fit”- and I couldn't agree more.
