January 25, 2008

Ultimate Wind

Friday January 25, 2008
12PM Pick-up game
Mitre Fields, Burlington, MA
Weather: 21 F, Sunny, Windy
Field: crunchy snow
Perfect conditions for Ultimate.

Typically on a day like today, the toughest part about playing ultimate would be the wind. Cold, clear, and a bitter, blustery wind made for a game where almost all of the points were scored going in one direction (with the wind of course). However, today once again, I had a tough time with my arches and shins on my right leg. I did tape up my feet and wear a soft foot and ankle brace, but sometimes I think that causes more problems than it helps. It's extremely difficult to achieve that optimal tape job that both provides support to the arches but also doesn't restrict the normal range of motion of your foot. For the most part this is not a major injury, but it's certainly a real pain (pun intended). I'm currently icing everything down and will be continuing my foot strengthening routine.

In other news, the BUDA indoor winter league teams were announced. Brian and I are on the same team as expected and I'm really looking forward to some indoor ultimate. Besides optimal temperatures and field conditions, the greatest thing about playing indoors is no wind. Every throw is perfect. Unfortunately, though, my business trip out to the west coast to coincides with our first game. Booo!

Ultimate Statistics (since January 2008):
Total Games Played: 5
Total Hours Played: 7

January 24, 2008

Ultimate Arches

Wednesday January 23, 2008
12PM Pick-up game
Mitre Fields, Burlington, MA
Weather: 32 F, Sunny, Windy
Field: crunchy snow
Perfect conditions for Ultimate.

We had 9 turnout for yesterday's lunchtime game in Burlington. It was fun, as always, but I think I'm starting to redevelop some issues with my foot. Several months ago I had a battle with plantar fasciitis in my right foot. I recovered well from it, but over the last few games I've been starting to notice some discomfort in my arch that has translated to mild shin splint pain in that same foot/leg. I haven't had problems with shin splints for probably 10 years! I think the main issue once again is inadequate support for my high arches. It could also be that my everyday walking-around sneakers are significantly worn down.

So what's the remedy? An active recovery program of course! I ordered new sneakers as well as Superfeet replacement inserts to get my everyday situation squared away. I also ordered an extra pair of Superfeet for my cleats (although I've never tried replacement inserts in cleats, it's worth a shot as I have yet to find cleats with any useful arch support). Finally, I'm going to start doing regular foot and ankle strengthening exercises again. This worked well to get me through my plantar fasciitis problem and I'm beginning to realize that I should establish a regular schedule to do them all the time, injury or not.

Ultimate Statistics (since January 2008):
Total Games Played: 4
Total Hours Played: 6

January 19, 2008

Ultimate Slush

Friday January 18, 2008
12PM Pick-up game
TRW Park, Burlington, MA
Weather: 41 F, Sunny
Field: snow, several inches of melting slush
Perfect conditions for Ultimate.

It was a slushy mess on the field yesterday but we still managed to put together a decent 4v4 pickup game in Burlington. While I enjoy playing Ultimate in all conditions, I am definitely looking forward to BUDA's winter indoor hat league to startup.

Ultimate Statistics (since January 2008):
Total Games Played: 3
Total Hours Played: 5

January 16, 2008

Ultimate Snow-ltimate

Wednesday January 16, 2008
12PM Pick-up game
Mitre Fields, Burlington, MA
Weather: 28 F, Clear, Windy
Field: snow, several inches of powder
Perfect conditions for Ultimate.

For at least the past month and a half, our Burlington pickup games have been played on nothing but various flavors of snow covered fields. From ice, to crusty snow, to slush, to soft powder, ultimate frisbee on snow offers some very unique challenges to standard bare grass or turf fields. In most cases, cutting is nearly impossible, speed and acceleration are diminished, and slipping and falling is inevitable. Of course, layouts are significantly more frequent. Today was no different.

It was cold, it was windy, but it was ultimate.

Ultimate Statistics (since January 2008):
Total Games Played: 2
Total Hours Played: 4

January 13, 2008

Ultimate Beginning

Sunday January 13, 2008
11AM Pick-up game
Danehy Field, Cambridge, MA
Weather: 45 F, Partly cloudy
Field: turf, dry.
Perfect conditions for Ultimate.

I don't usually play a weekend ultimate frisbee game during the winter, but today was an exception. There is a pick-up group that periodically plays in Arlington or Cambridge that I've played with a few times in the past, but my schedule doesn't usually fit. I am, however, on the email list and noticed a swarm of emails expressing commitment to an 11AM game at Danehy Field in Cambridge. Having missed the lunchtime Burlington game on Friday due to unplayable field conditions, and with a Nor'easter on the way tomorrow, I couldn't resist. I zipped over to the field this morning, where there was at least a 20 person turnout. The game lasted until about 2pm and it was the longest game I've played in a while.

So there you have it. It isn't much, but this post marks the Beginning of this Ultimate blog. While not exclusive, a major trend for this blog will be to track every instance that I step out onto a field to play Ultimate Frisbee. It turns out that this is a lot. Why am I doing this, you ask? Just for fun.

Ultimate Statistics (since January 2008):
Total Games Played: 1
Total Hours Played: 3