Page 8 of Treacherous
The clanging of weights echoes throughout the gym and into my ears. I engage my core, shoulder blades pinching together before my back arches. Arms shaking from the moment I lift the barbell.
My chest heaving as I complete the final rep of my set. My breath is ragged, and my body thanks me once I return the barbell to the stand with tension melting from my shoulders.
Slipping under the bar, my knees buckle as I stand. I reach out, holding onto the cushioned bench. Holy shit. I forgot about the muscular pain that comes with intense strength and conditioning training.
I haven’t been able to continue my usual training regime, between packing my things and trying to enrol in my classes for the semester.
I walk to an empty floor space in the gym and begin my cool-down exercises. I start with a standing quad stretch, allowing me to take in the other players in the room. We all have the same basic strength exercises, however, the coaches add specific exercises that will help you if you’ve had an injury or if your position has certain requirements.
It’s eye-opening.
This never happened in Nevada. Or maybe it did, but I was on the outside. It sounds terrible, yet it wouldn’t surprise me.
After we changed coaches in my sophomore year, everything changed. I was on the bench longer, no matter how hard I worked.
I had always thought our new coach was misogynistic, but I didn’t want to jeopardise my position by saying anything.
That willneverhappen again. My voice will be heard even if I’m labelled hysterical or emotional.
I continue to move through my cool-down exercises, not wanting to risk any injuries. If I’m not going to play after this year, I want to make sure I’m on the ice as much as possible.
September has begun, evident by the copper leaves that fell onto my car in the night. All my classes start this week, and my schedule will be hectic once the hockey season truly begins, so I need to take my time now to set myself up for success.
I don’t want to jinx it, but so far dietetics has been relatively easy. Having a good work ethic helps, especially since I’m not the smartest person in my degree.
My status as an athlete provides real-life experience, and knowing what promotes better performance is vital. I was reading over my subject outlines last night, and there are a lotof advanced classes this semester, however, if I get ahead early, everything will be fine.
I shake my head, pulling my left arm across my chest, using my other arm to push it closer to my body. This is my final stretch before I go home, shower quickly, and head onto campus for my first class.
My arms fall to my side, tension leaving the muscles in my shoulders. I jump, shaking any remaining tension from my body. A sigh of relief leaves my mouth. Even though I’m excited to get back into a training routine, my body is going to hate me for the first week.
I will have a smaller preseason than my teammates as my transfer was only approved in the beginning of August. Only giving me three weeks to relocate to Arizona from Nevada.
“How are you doing, Willow?”
Sam's voice catches my attention. I try to regain my breath as I cross the gym, sweat and disinfectant filling my nostrils. Aiden is standing next to Sam, their bags slung over shoulders.
“Pretty good,” I reply.
I hate that my fitness isn’t where it should be, and with the season about to start, I don’t want to jeopardise my position. I don’t believe Sam would hold it against me, Aiden, though, the jury is still out on him.
I shift the conversation, not wanting to focus on my rising chest and flushed face. “What are you guys up to for the rest of the day?”
“Sam and I have a class in two hours, so we will head onto campus soon. You?”
I smile. “Yeah, I’m doing the same. I’ve got to go. My class is in thirty minutes, so I’m cutting it fine.”
The boys say goodbye, and I make a dash for my car. I don’t want to be late on the first day of the semester.
***
Hockey Heroes – Group Chat
*Cooper Powell added Willow Rogers to the group*
Cooper Powell:
Who’s ready for GAMES NIGHT?
