This is nothing you don’t know. This is a very difficult sport and precisely because I know how hard it is is why I admire all the people that play this at a high level and yes, I respect women infinitely more, for infinite reasons.
Last night I had my first match in months. I hadn’t kicked a ball, I didn’t practice, I didn’t even stretch. I parked at 3:50, rushed to the sidelines, put my shinguards on, got my gk gloves, my trusty water bottle and headed to the net. Did I tell you I hadn’t kicked a ball? I also hand’t caught a ball. Nothing. And guess what? It showed! Clown city, population me.
The first goal kick I basically kicked it to their best player, I was caught out of position and he calmly slotted past me. It was terrible, lame, pathetic, funny and also great and cool and fun because it’s a zero stakes situation. My league barely keeps score and there is not even a table. It’s just for fun.However, my ego was bruised for a minute or 20 and I just don’t like not doing well at things. I choose to be a GK because all things considered I don’t actually care that much and I don’t mind being the person responsible for mistakes like the one.
Days like these make me appreciate footballers even more but beyond their ability I’m talking about the mental aspect. Being able to forget so quickly and remain confident and exercise that elite mentality. It’s absolutely incredible.
To a degree that’s what you have to do as a professional musician after a mistake or missed note, etc but the difference is that I’ve worked on this, It’s my livelihood so I don’t think about it but whenever I have to do something similar in another field such as sport it’s very, very tricky.
Of course I thought of Manu recovering after a goal scored against her, or how LWM comes back that much stronger after a set back she’s had on the pitch, or how Stina just keeps going and going and going. I hold these attitudes very close to me. The years when I was actively inspired by male footballers is long gone. At least not when I’m playing.
It’s a different thing.
d ❤
THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
A very subjective look into AWFC 
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