Field hockey is a grueling sport; the running of soccer combined with the skills of hockey. Most people don't understand the game and find it boring, but for those of us that play/ed these 10 things are just a small part of the life of a fhockey player. And yes we say fhock...

1. Headbands and braids are essential.

When you're running back and forth for an hour, a pony tail just isn't going to cut it all the time. Braid trains are popular, and a headband (or pre-wrap) is almost always a must. It is because of field hockey that I learned to fishtail my hair and how to braid in under a minute.

2. Preseason will make you want to die.

No matter how hard you try to prepare yourself for the preseason conditioning and 2-a-days, nothing seems to work. The timed miles seem like a 5K, the hills seem like mountains, and whatever fun "games" your coach comes up with are just as bad. When you get home you just want to sleep. No matter how much ice you put in your water it still gets warm because no matter the heat, you still keep going. Better watch what you eat too because it may come back up. It is a taste of hell yet we do it year after year.

3. Game days are the bomb!

Besides the fact that you get to play, game days are awesome because you get to wear your uniform to school and it feels so legit. Kilt swag was a real thing at my school. And if you did wear kilts you either had the cool kind that were tight and the boys all stared or the plaid wool type kind that sucked. I was lucky enough to have the former. You also got to get out of school early so that was always a good thing.

4. Bus rides are where memories are made.

Bus rides to away games are annoying sometimes but they also are the perfect opportunity for Sha-boo-yahs and singing parties. I will never look at Living On A Prayer the same again.

5. Your quads practically always hurt.

Stairs were always an issue. Wall squats were a regular exercise. And your quads became un-proportionally bigger than the rest of your legs. But hey you probably got a better butt out of the deal so it was worth it.

6. There was always that one rival school.

It may not technically be a contact sport but there was that one team on your schedule that always brought out the claws. There may or may not have been cards thrown, parents kicked out, etc. Regardless you always looked forward to the extra adrenaline and being able to throw a shove or two.

7. Your stick is your baby.

If someone tries to scratch or chip your stick on purpose, this is not okay. Whenever someone gets a new stick everyone has to feel it, compare weights, hit with it; at the end of the day though you demand it back because that baby is yours!

8. People that don't understand the game...

Whether they be your family or friends there are always people that don't understand why you can only use one side of the stick. Why the ref always blows the whistle (we don't always understand either). Why that "goal" didn't count. You try and explain the game the best you can and by the end of it they think they know it better than you. Which leads me to number 9...

9. Parent-coaches are the worst.

They may be in the bleachers but don't you worry, you can still hear them telling you what to do. Telling you to get the ball, pass, run, shoot. Every team has at least one and your coach probably hates them, their kids probably hate them too when they're playing. You gotta give them credit for trying to be involved though.

10. Drives are the only thing you actually want to do.

When you hear the words rapid fire or were going to warm up the goalie you get psyched because that means you get to shoot. When you have a good one everyone on the team congratulates you; when you totally whiff everyone just laughs and you realize it is going to be one of those days.

Field hockey season has its highs and lows but we wouldn't change it for the world. No matter what, your teammates are your friends for life. Fhock on!