Intramural Hockey: An observation

Despite my injury this year, I've found various ways to stay involved with sports. I might not be able to do all my favourite activities, but I can still enjoy them from other sides: watching figure skating on TV, checking out the track & field events at McGill, trying out different activities, and officiating. Back home, I was a scorekeeper for a number of years at my local arena and this year I've been timekeeping McGill's intramural hockey. It's been a cool way to meet some new people and to keep in touch with a sport I grew up around. However, I've noticed some behavioural changes in the players as they get older...

When kids are 8 or 10 years old and playing houseleague hockey with their neighbourhood friends, they're just looking to have fun, skate around, and hopefully score a few times. They're excited about the game, playing with their friends and emulating their NHL idols. But as they get older, the bright eyes fade and the pure joy drains. What happened? I don't know what changes in the players' minds, but it seems like all of a sudden when kids hit a certain age (sometime in their teens), their attitude towards hockey changes. It's as if what was fun becomes war, and they have to win the war at all costs.

I've played team sports my whole life and I've even played intramural here, so I understand how one gets immersed in the game and how one becomes very passionate about one's team and one's desire to succeed. But then why all the aggression towards opposing players? Why the horrendous verbal attacks at the referees? Why the need to storm off the ice in a fury? The McGill intramural program states on their webpage that "Individuals are encouraged to participate in the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship." I don't believe fair play is antagonizing your opponents, nor is good sportsmanship mouthing off to the officials or playing dirty. Although this behaviour is certainly not characteristic of all players, I have witnessed and experienced this enough times to identify the trend. I should also note that it's not confined to our peers, but to adults as well. I have seen profs loose it in an intramural game as often as students, and parents in the stands are no role models either. 

I know we all want to do well in our favourite sports, but let's try to be considerate of our teammates, our opponents, the officials and the good name of the sport. While sometimes we all get aggressively passionate about something we care about, we have to keep in mind that we are not the only ones on the ice, on the field or on the track. Next time you go out to play, think about those houseleague years when all you wanted to do was have a good time. With a positive attitude and enthusiastic approach, you will definitely find that you enjoy yourself more and so will everyone around you.


Now, go out there and have FUN!


- Martlet Girl

Elliptical Newbie

Overwhelmed by midterm stress? Tell me about it! This weekend was a rough one. I was so overwhelmed by essays and tests that I didn't think I was going to find time for a workout. As I was trying to garner some self-determination to finish one of my essays, I decided that the most productive form of procrastination (after cleaning and baking) was exercise.

As a not-so-consistent gym-goer, I was tossing ideas around in my head as I made my way along Parc to the Sports Complex: ...the bike? No, I do that regularly... Treadmill? Hmm, too high-impact... Elliptical? Yes! However, the last time I was on an elliptical machine I was probably around 10 years old at my friend's birthday party and I thought her mom's elliptical was a fun "game".

Moments later I'm standing on one and I admit I was slightly confused. I wasn't sure how my feet were supposed to move... up and down or forward and backward? Do I exercise my arms or just hang on for balance? I was looking around at other elliptical-users for some visual guidance, but that didn't prove much help as I discovered that there are different types of ellipticals! That's seven minutes of feeling like a newb I won't get back... But once I figured it all out, I realised that these are magic all-in-one tools that will make your heart race, thighs burn and biceps tighten. Even stretching out my tired muscles after a 45-minute session left me feeling a little sore on Sunday! But a little ache won't deter me from doing it again, nor will my lack of knowledge about exercise equipment stop me trying something else.

If ever you're unsure about the equipment or how to get started at the gym, talk to the attendants. They can provide you with some helpful tips and will certainly get you going on your workout in less time than my seven-minute blank out!
Good luck!

- Martlet Girl.

February Blues

Well, it's still winter and spring isn't coming around the corner anytime soon. This warm weather gives us false hope, but don't let the February Blues get you down! Switch up your routine, try something new and have fun. The best cure is to get outside and soak up some sun (from whatever exposed skin isn't covered by your wooly scarf).

Hiking Mont Royal

Since this week Mother Nature is being kind, toss on an extra layer and take your run outside rather than sticking to the treadmill. Another option for the adventurous folk out there, strap on your snowshoes and hike up Mont Royal. There are plenty of trails that diverge from the main road (Chemin Olmsted) leading you through a serene winter wonderland. If you don't have your own snowshoes but are interested in giving winter hiking a try, join the McGill Outdoors Club and take advantage of their cheap gear rental. They have cross-country skis and poles available as well in their extensive collection.

This weekend I went for a great snowshoe along the golf course near my house and I'm looking forward to hiking on the mountain for the rest of the winter! As a courtesy to other Mont Royal users, try to avoid stepping on the cross-country ski trails while you're out exploring. We have very easy access to the mountain from campus so bring your gear to class! Check out a map of the Parc du Mont Royal here to help you plan your excursion to Montreal's great outdoors. If you're lucky, you might see a fox!

Dress warm!

- Martlet Girl

Outdoor Rinks!

We all know Montreal is like one big skating rink in the winter when it snows, hails and pelts freezing rain. Sometimes our only defence seems like to stay inside with a hot cup of tea until they sprinkle the sidewalks with salt. However, we have other alternatives! When it's too icy to walk uphill to the gym and the streets aren't cleared to go for a run, that's when it's time to layer on the warm clothes, sling your skates over your shoulder and head for the park around the corner.


What better way to spend your weekends other than partaking in a truly Canadian sport? Despite the appeal to skate to school on some frigid mornings, check out Montreal's many outdoor (and free!) rinks. Some have chalets so you don't have to freeze your fingers as you lace up, but many are just a frozen section in the middle of a park.

Parc Lafontaine

This weekend I went skating at the rink in Parc Lafontaine (south of Rue Rachel and east of St-Denis by a few blocks) and had a blast! There were quite a few people but the section maintained as a rink is massive so there was no issue of bumping to people. I hadn't been skating in about 10 months, but for me it's like riding a bike. I was lucky enough to have my parents teach me to skate around the same time I was learning to walk so it's second nature. Toss in years of competitive figure skating and I'm practically at home when I step on the ice. Skating is one of those sports that everyone can enjoy no matter skill level or age and is perfect for group outings!

Try it this weekend! All outdoor rinks are free. If you don't have your own skates, cheap rentals are available at chalets like at Parc Lafontaine and at Beaver Lake on Mont Royal. Click here for a map of all outdoor rinks in the city!
*Note: some are specified for shinny hockey and other activities (see the coloured icons at the bottom of the page).

So grab your skates, grab your friends and go skating!

- Martlet Girl

Busy, busy, busy!

Sticking to our New Year's resolutions are tough, but surprisingly, I've had an easier time with mine this year. I admit, it helps to be bound to a twice-weekly course that I've already paid for and friends to tease me when I miss one. Monday's class was the fifth so far this semester and I know I may sound a little ahead of myself, but I already feel like I'm getting stronger! With this enthusiasm I decided to dip into the gym to do some free weights.

I knew that evenings at the gym were busy, but I had no idea how busy! Doing a scan of the main floor I noticed that only one treadmill was free, two Stairmasters were free and a handful of bikes (mostly the recumbent ones). Everything else was in use. I turned around to chance the weight machines, but it seemed like each one was occupied. "Okay, well, let's try the weights upstairs since that's what I came for anyways," I thought to myself. Not even at the top of the stairs I could tell I was out of luck. As my last hope, I went to find the mats on the other mezzanine for some stretching post-spin. Holy smokes. So. Many. People. I have never seen a gym so full! Feeling rather stunned I decided to just give in to my tired muscles and I headed home.

From my experience, the best time to go to the gym would be midday. You're almost guaranteed a machine and/or workout space and you don't feel the same pressure to keep to the time limit. Seven-thirty at night is certainly the opposite. Sure, it's conveniently after your long school day, but if you can squeeze in a workout during your lunch break, I highly suggest it! That way you not only skip the gym wait times, but also the cafeteria wait times.

Good luck!

- Martlet Girl

Carnival

Colourful Carnival fans!

Last Wednesday was a special night as the McGill Redmen faced off against UQTR (Université de Québec à Trois-Rivières). When I walked into McConnell Arena that evening, I found myself in a swarm of multicoloured jumpsuits, red t-shirts and beer. Not only was this a Red Thunder game, but Carnival participants were there to double the hype. Now, what's Carnival you ask? Well, imagine frosh in the winter. Except this one is team-based, everyone wears jumpsuits (aka "puke suits") and compete in drinking-related games to win the week-long event. Needless to say, these enthusiastic, inebriated folk made the game all the more fun.

It was hard to tell what side the fans were on just by the sight of them: when McGill scored, everyone was on their feet cheering, arms around each other and ordering another round in celebration; when UQTR scored, everyone was on their feet booing, arms around each other and ordering another round to ease their woes. Thankfully, there was more to celebrate than to cry about. The Redmen won 4-2!

If you're looking for another chance to cheer on our teams, come join the fans for some more hockey as our boys take on the Concordia Stingers on Friday at McConnell Arena. Also on this weekend: the McGill Team Challenge for our track and field stars at the fieldhouse and Martlet volleyball versus Sherbrooke on Sunday at the Love Competition Hall (in the Sports Complex).

Check out the McGill Athletics homepage for all the lastest info on our varsity teams, tickets, how to get there and more.

- Martlet Girl

Spin and Trim

Last night I tried my first ever spin class. I was expecting it to be challenging, by WOW was it tough! The class is called Spin and Trim so we cycle for about 50-55 minutes, have short stretch and then 15-20 minutes of exercises to strengthen other parts of the body before a longer stretch at the end. Once the class was over and my heart rate was back to normal, I realized how much I enjoyed it! But before I got to that blissful point... well, it wasn't easy.

I have never cycled on a spin bike before, so I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting myself into. From the looks on the faces of others in the class, I could tell I wasn't alone. Once everyone was perched on their bikes, the teacher put one some music and we were off! She was shouting out motivations left and right and as the music tempo increased, so did our speed. We went over hills, rode flats, did sprints and I thought I was going to hurl. This was way more intense then I was expecting! Sometimes she had us standing up while we worked our way up a hill (which is a lot harder than she makes it look). The toughest part for me was when we had to stand for 5 seconds, then sit back down, then stand, then sit, and so on. After that, I was sure my legs had turned to jelly. That was confirmed to me once I stepped off my bike: my legs were shaking and with each step, I swerved a bit on my way to the mats. The core exercises the teacher led us in were tough, especially for a girl who’s trying to get all those muscles back. I struggled most with the plank: I could barely hold it for 20 seconds! However, our teacher assured us all that by the end of the class we’ll be able to hold plank for 2 minutes… wish me luck!

All these difficulties aside, the challenge was exciting. Once I got over the unwelcome feeling in my stomach, it was really fun! It was cool to try something different and I’m looking forward to feeling myself get stronger. In the meantime, my bottom is sore, my legs are tired and my spirits are high. Next class is tomorrow!
 See ya then!

- Martlet Girl