Finally, gamedays are on the horizon
Five months ago, I wrote about the season I lost to the pandemic. Today, I’m writing about the season in front of me: the season we compete again.
This September is the closest thing to normal since COVID-19 cancelled the remainder of our 2019-20 season, and then the entirety of 2020-21.
“When are we going to practice again? When are we going to get to play games? When will tournaments and championship weekends be back in the picture?” These were the questions that were floating through my mind for months and months — they can now go to rest.
Finally, there are tournaments and games on the horizon. I’ll get to compete alongside my fellow Gee-Gees.
It took a long time, but we, the University of Ottawa women’s ultimate frisbee team, have finally eased back into the regular routine. Tryouts, practice, tournaments. Things feel right.
We were due for things to fall back into place. To be entirely honest, things were getting really hard for me. Between COVID-19 measures that put restrictions on the way we practice, how difficult it was to stay motivated all the time, and the ongoing wish of being able to put into words how strange it felt to be missing all the parts that come with playing a competitive team sport, I was getting pretty down on myself.
Let me tell you: there’s something about lacing up your cleats and training with your team that just feels so much better when knowing that there are games approaching.
It’s been so long since I’ve made a gameday post on Instagram, since I’ve texted scores to my family back home, since I’ve tried to convince my entire team to go to Olive Garden with me after a tournament.
And of course, the actual game. It genuinely feels like forever since I’ve put on the garnet and grey and matched up against an athlete from a rival university. It’s been so long since I’ve played a game of ultimate that truly involved every aspect of the game. I miss playing the game that I love, and I am so ready to get on the field and produce results.
To say that I’m excited is an understatement.
