We all love to reflect back on our middle school and high school athletic careers and think, "Damn, those were the days when I could actually run and not feel like I was dying a slow death."
Sure, we were all once pretty decent athletes. Some might have been a little more successful then others, but at least we all know what it feels like to get a trophy or medal at the end of a long hard match or game, even if it may be just for participation (but weren't those always the best ones anyway?).
There does come a time, though, in every athlete's life when it's time to hang up the towel and call it quits. It's not like you don't love it anymore, but maybe it's just about time to open doors to new possibilities and shutting the old.
Sure, saying goodbye to some playing time on the field maybe too much of a reality check for some, we all know when that moment of feeling like an all-star or pro slowly fades.
So, for those that don't think they can get through this struggle alone, here are 16 signs that you are the ultimate washed-up athlete. It's okay to admit it, bro, you aren't the only one. We are all by your side trudging up this hill called life and getting on to the other side, but of course, not as in shape as we used to be:
1. We still follow and keep up to date with our high school teams. There's that damn freshman girl who has obviously taken your place, and you need to see if she has slipped up at all.
2. You constantly always ache and no, it's not from that gym or that brisk walk you took while getting to the cafeteria
3. You really want to get that awesome gym membership, but damn is it pricey. So you decide to buy dumbbells and a yoga mat instead. Yeah sure, maybe they've gathered some dust while hiding under the bed for a couple of months but they will be there once your ready.
4. You join multiple intramural teams thinking that it's basically like going to practice every day, but realize you have no coach to yell at you while running so obviously you skip the running all together.
5. You sport all of your high school, rec or travel team shirts and gear that you purchased throughout the years, because hell yeah, you want people to notice that you were once athletic.
6. You think that walking to and from classes counts as your workout for the day, when in reality, we all know that you made stops in between to sit and catch your breath.
7. You take the stairs instead of the elevator thinking that you're challenging yourself, but by the end of the first set of stairs you are finding it extremely difficult to catch your breath.
8. You go to your college's sport games and hoot and rally on the side and in your mind you're thinking "Pshh I could run laps around these guys … I should totally join the team." Yeah no, just stop right there.
9. Watching all the new kids come into your old high school, and they're all athletic beasts brings you into a state of mourning
10. No, dancing at the clubs does not count as exercise for the day. We all know we've made that claim several times before.
11. You tell yourself that you will start your own kids early with a particular sport so they could play in college and not make the same mistake you did.
12. You can no longer eat like an athlete. The phrase "I'm athletic, I'll run all of this off tomorrow," does not apply anymore.
13. You've realized that friends don't come as easily as they once did when you were on a team.
14. You always are down to go play and toss around with some friends. But once you drop a couple of passes you start making the "I am just super rusty" excuse.
15. You miss the "practice is cancelled" texts you would hardly ever receive, but when you did, they were glorious.
16. Missing the team. We all miss having that one thing that you knew could really turn your day around, and that was your teammates, and maybe even your coach when he/she wasn't making you run sprints. Your team became family that would run to you after a win or loss and would pick you up, dust you off and tell you to get back out there. They were your rocks.
While you sit and think about all those great memories and great games that you played, sure it's sad, and you'll always miss it. But there will be plenty of opportunities and experiences to come whether you are athletic or not.
