Chapter 86: A Dose of Reality
Tonight, I played in my first "real" competitive indoor soccer league match as a sub for a team that a couple of coworkers play on. I expected it to be a lot tougher than the corporate games I have played in the last few months, but was not prepared for what transpired. Asides from all of the players being a lot better, the play was almost nonstop. We played at 8 Rinks in Burnaby, where the field is basically a hockey rink, with boards all around. There is no "out of bounds" unless the ball touches the netting, so you can use the walls to your advantage. That also means much less stoppage in play, so players have to go all out and keep the shifts short. We played two halves of 25 minutes. After the second shift, I knew I was in trouble. I couldn’t believe how terrible I felt already. My legs felt like lead weights, and not only was I out of breath, I felt disoriented and my body ached. It was a major struggle just recuperating enough to go for my next shift, after which I felt progressively worse, to a point where I don’t recall ever being as exhausted and beat up from playing sports. Overall, I did "okay". I wasn’t a major liability, but I also didn’t do much to benefit the team. We lost by a score of 4-3, and I think I was only on the field for one goal, which was against. I was a physical wreck after the match ended. I was so disoriented afterwards that I needed to rest 20 minutes just to get to the point where I was okay to drive home. I was literally still feeling out of breath almost an hour after the game ended, and in general just felt like shit. After taking a nap for a couple hours, I finally felt a lot better.
I’m questioning whether it is worth it for me to play in a game such as this. That was quite possibly the most torturous event I had ever taken part in. Not that I expect they would want to ask me to sub again, but even if they do, I’m not sure that I would want to. Frankly speaking, I don’t feel like I’m good enough - and I KNOW I’m not fit enough - to compete effectively in this league. I feel a lot better physically and emotionally from playing lower caliber games like the corporate games where I can be one of the big dogs.
Speaking of corporate games, we had a rematch against MDSI (now called Ventyx) last Friday. We romped them the first time 7-2, but this time around they provided a much more competitive game. With the score tied at 1-1, I scored the game winning goal with less than five minutes left to play. Out of the four games that we’ve won, I’ve scored the game winning goal three times, and provided a beautiful setup for the fourth. That’s the kind of feel good stuff I like.
After that game, I also played in my first competitive softball match ever. Our team was heavily outgunned, and we got absolutely beat down. We played a double header, and we had to throw in the towel both games due to the mercy rule, because we would be down like 16-3 after five innings. I played in right field, and actually didn’t get very much action at all. I fielded three or four ground balls, but not a single fly ball. Even the lefties kept hitting opposite field for some reason. I was not very productive at the plate either. Out of four plate appearances, I only got on base once, and even that was on a fielder’s choice. I definitely need to work on my hitting. Back in late elementary, I used to always go out to Gray’s Park during the summer, where we would sometimes play baseball. I recall I had complete control of my hitting back then, and could direct my hits at will. I remember I used to even like swinging way early or way late to foul off balls on purpose. I can’t see why I wouldn’t be able to do this again with a little practice. It looks like I’ll get a chance to do just that though, as the team as taken me on full time for the rest of the season. I’m looking forward to it.
Yesterday, I also got the worst beating in my life for poker. It was the first time I had played in over two weeks, and within five minutes, I was down about $170. After 20 minutes, I was down $270. After the 90 minute session, I finished down almost $300. Without going into the details, here are the main hands:
1.) AA, AJT flop, other guy has KQ. Board doesn’t pair.
2.) AA, J98 flop, other guy has 88.
3.) 88, 876 flop, other guy has T9. Board doesn’t pair.
4.) 76, 543 flop, other guy gets a flush on the turn.
5.) AK vs KK all-in preflop (where I’m actually "only" a 70/30 underdog). Didn’t hit an ace.
I couldn’t believe the kind of setups I was getting. Flopped top set two times, only to someone else’s flopped straight. Flop a straight, someone else gets a flush. Seriously, what am I supposed to do?!
I guess I’ll never be a high-stakes poker player. I don’t like even dropping $300 at the $100NL level, so I don’t even want to know how much worse I’d feel dropping several times that. Oh well, I know it’s just short term variance, but it still sucks when I think of how I’m now down $300 and have nothing to show for it. I could have had so much more fun blowing $300 on other things, but I guess it doesn’t work that way.
