Oh Oh Oh It's Thanksgiving

I know we’ve all missed these posts, so here is just a little fill-in on what’s been going on since the season ended.

With no practice to keep us all entertained and in shape the team has taken to different means of fitness. Monica and I have started to play racquetball, and by that I mean we went one time to play but the courts were all full so we went to the downer. Liv and I have started to work out with Michelle (our trainer from the Spring) only to need to take a week off after our first session because we were so sore. And Taylor and I went to the gym the other day and went on the arc trainers for 20 minutes and then laid on the mats. There are a few girls who have been better about their gym regimens such as Lalo who has made a few spin class appearances and Macee and the rest of the crew have been running every day, god bless them. Clearly we are all concerned about the upcoming break and the five pounds the average American puts on during the holidays. Nawt. My theory is that we’re all taking this time off and are going to kick it into high gear after the winter holidays because when we get back for second semester we start our spring workout program which is Monday through Friday. I don’t think anyone’s complaining too much about it though because we all need to get our Costa Rica bods.

K. Rab had her second knee surgery last week and we are all so proud of her and wish her the best recovery. We’re all pulling for her to be 100% by softball season. If you happen to see her crutching around campus, offer to pick her up or carry her bag or give her a Mountain Dew or something.

And for anyone who has been wondering where Buddha is, he has been living in Mason Hall with me. The only problem is we’ve been having a rough few weeks because a Buddha is not supposed to live in a bedroom, they are supposed to greet you in a foyer. Also, Buddha projects whatever feeling you project on to him. So when we loved Buddha, we gave us positive energy, and when we started questioning his love, his energy turned bad. I don’t think he ever forgave me for the bad energy, or for stealing him from Lalo for that matter, so we are working out our differences while he sits in my closet. (If Buddha has to be in the bedroom he needs to be in a closet and at night the closet has to be shut, I Googled it.)

Other than that were all looking forward to getting together after break to do paper plate awards and have the coaches present the team awards. We also have a tradition where each grade comes up with some sort of skit to act out for the rest of the team. The seniors last year acted out Wiley’s top ten best coaching moments, hilarious. Other than that it has been pretty quiet. Here are some pictures and music to keep you entertained until next time! Have a safe and great break everyone.

 

Thanksgiving Song

 

 

 

Schmitt and Marley (Wiley's Dog)

 

 

When Kalya was the backup goalie..

 

 

 

 



This is the last time you will ever hear my complain about this

This is an essay a wrote last semester for my sports writing class, and this is the last time I’ll bring up how much I hate when people spit on the turf, promise..

Spitting, hackin a lugi, blowing a snot rocket.

All things that in the heat of a game can be that second of relief the athlete needs to clear their airways and push themselves through. Something so miniscule, yet so dangerous. Not to mention gross.

Players are put at risk everyday because of the spit left on the turf that can enter the body through open wounds. In 2005, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that athletes who play on turf have shown higher rates of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. This is a type of staph bacteria that can cause life threatening infections.

When someone spits on the turf, they are putting everyone at risk for infection. Turf is rougher than grass and therefore it is easier to break the skin when you slide or fall. Turf burn is caused by the friction of skin and turf which generates heat and removes layers of skin. Also known as raspberries, turf burn is painful and a gateway for infection; perfect for saliva to seep into and make the raspberry look even more attractive.

Many communicable diseases find passage from one person to another through contact with saliva. Major diseases include the common cold, the flu, tuberculosis, mono, Hepatitis B and bacterial meningitis as well as many others. Anything that is in the human body that is subject to effect the immune system can find its way out through any bodily fluid, including salvia. All of these diseases could side line a player for days, weeks or even months.

According to LiveStrong.com, because a body in motion is under a variety of stresses during a workout, more saliva or mucus will be produced. The production of saliva increases when athletes begin working their lungs and cardiovascular system. As the body warms up, it will produce more saliva. There are many factors that effect this and sometimes make is necessary to remove the excess liquid from your system. When running outside in cooler temperatures,(a.k.a every time you step on the field in Plattsburgh)  your nose must warm and humidify the air you breathe before it reaches your lungs. This action produces mucus in your nose and throat, and the mucus acts as a humidifier to condition the air before it reaches your lungs.

The problem with spitting it out during a game however is that is it has nowhere to go but the top of the turf. Astroturf does not absorb liquid like a grass field. So when someone spits on the turf it sits right on top for the remainder of the game or until it gets swept away.

Ponder this for a second; if someone starts to bleed on the field or on their jersey, it gets cleaned right away because everyone is worried about the spread of disease. You are not even allowed back on the field until you have on a new, clean jersey and your cut is properly cleaned and bandaged. Yes, blood is a bittt more potent than spit, but shouldn’t the same type of precautions be taken? Many of the diseases that can be spread by coming in contact with blood, you can get by coming in contact with spit. Crazy right? No one wants to skin their knee on the field to stand up and find moist liquid mixed in with the blood and skin. That’s disgusting.

 

So pay attention the next time you’re playing a game on the turf. Watch for how many athletes relieve themselves on the turf you’ve come to know and love. Please think about this next time you want to have a spitting contest with your teammates during warm-ups. If you want to be the jerk that gives your team mono by hackin a lugi, by all means, be my guest.