Need for Speed

I was never the fastest player, but at one point I had some speed. I miss being fast. now, my ankle hurts when I skate hard. So, I end up avoiding backchecking. It doesn't help that I am fifty pounds overweight.

I see guys at drop in, usually smaller guys, that can just fly. I am jealous. Speed is everything in hockey. not top end speed, I still have that because of a long effective stride. But that quickness out of the gates. The ability to read react and be at top speed in an instent is a priceless skill for a hockey player.

I guess I just became an old timer before I was ready.

Dog days of summer

Well, the Dog days of summer have arrived. The playoffs have faded from peoples minds and the next season couldn't start any later. I am a hockey fan through and through, but I'd much rather play. But, without hockey in front of them people don't think to show up for drop in.
It has gotten very bad. I got a babysitter so that I could go to daytime drop in on Monday. There was a couple of other guys there, but they left early. So it was me and an olympic sheet of ice. I skated some ladders and took a few shots.... i tried to skate myself tired. It is hard to push yourself when there is no one to beat. I love pick up hockey, but that is super weak. I know there are a lot of players that don't work during the day and could come play, but they would rather do nothing instead.
That is why summer sucks. You would think people would want to get out of the heat and enjoy a nice cool ice rink. But they don't.... Dog days.