Daily grind

Ahhhh the daily grind of a college hockey player...

If your reading this and you are playing or have played college hockey you will know what this is all about. If you have not played, please don't take this as a huge vent session or a vote for sympathy. Truth is college hockey players have it better than most and It is a privilege to still be playing.

It all starts sunday night. Sunday night is very bitter-sweet around my dorm room. Sweet because my roommates and I get to dial into keeping up with the kardashians, which is very hard at times, the guys living off campus finish doodlig in their coloring books and bitter because we all know we have to wake up way to early for 2.5 hours of suspect workouts and skill sessions.

How it works is basically most guys are up around 7am, the non fat club members are probably eating oats w/ fresh fruit, healthy fats and protein... The fatty's can be seen eating pop tarts and lucky charms (grow up guys) 8am you will see a herd of chargers walking from the dorms to the gym looking like idiots holding gloves, sticks and 40 different kinds of pre work out stimulants.

As the boys congregate inside the gym we usually have wait for the circus (track team) to finish pretending to workout before we can start. Not trying to be arrogant but they shouldn't be allowed in the gym... It looks like "so you think you can dance" and "American idol" tryouts rather then working out!! Too much too soon.

8:15am half of the squad is ordered upstairs to do "skill work" .... that's tough to watch... sounds like 15 guys chopping onions. The other half of the team is struggling trough "speed work" 100% humidity makes this one of the worst 15 minutes of day. After switching stations the boys are most likely murdering under their breath how sick of it they are... "why are we sprinting again?" "I can't feel my ass" "get me outta here" things of that nature. By the time the pouting is over we are headed into the second portion of the workout which consists of weights, sprinting and core... Once again, 100% humidity and no rest.. F OFF! We get it.
Just recently our team has been told that we are no longer allowed to work out shirtless... Tennis team must have gotten jealous..

When the workout subsides most of the team is on a mission! recovery shake (4:1 carb:protein best ratio for protein synthesis. Coconut water, protein, banana, berries, spinach, agave nectar), 3 s's shit shower shave and finally off to the first class of the day!

Depending on the guy and day, guys will have 2 to 3 classes. The geeks on the team manage to pay attention in class all day and take great notes for the rest of us who walk around campus like zombies, thanks guys! Having spent 3 years in this routine and knowing how much energy goes into each day I have secured a nutrition routine that helps me get through. 1) every 2 hours I am eating a meal with tons of green veggies, good fat (nuts, seeds, oils) and lean protein 2) I have 2 green drinks throughout the day (chlorophyll in greens=energy!) 3) green tea and water.. Hydration relates to every bodily function!

Everyday in August and September is pretty close to this routine which makes it such a grind. Going through it is very tough but so rewarding doing it with a great bunch of guys. These are the times when teams become families and build life long relationships.. Can't beat it!!