So yesterday was National Women in Sports Day, right? Figured I’d actually do something instead of just scrolling through hashtags. Started by digging through my old sports gear in the garage – found dusty sneakers, a tennis racket with broken strings, and my daughter’s childhood softball glove. Realized half this stuff hadn’t been touched since pre-pandemic.
Getting My Act Together
Took three trips to Walmart for supplies:
- First trip: Forgot sunscreen and bandaids (dumb)
- Second trip: Realized sports bras were all worn out
- Third trip: Remembered we needed those neon soccer cones
My wallet cried but hey, commitment.
Planned to hit five local women’s sports events around town:
- Morning: High school girls’ volleyball clinic
- Noon: Community center basketball tournament
- Afternoon: Skate park session with teenage girls
- Evening: College softball exhibition
- Night: Women’s pro soccer viewing party
What Actually Went Down
Got to the volleyball clinic at 8AM sharp. Those teenagers moved faster than my creaky knees could handle! Tried bumping a serve and completely whiffed – ball nailed my forehead. Coach laughed and said “Nice block!” Made me assist with hydration stations instead.
Basketball tournament was wild. Saw moms in their 40s dunking on college kids – absolute legends. Tried keeping score but got distracted when refs started arguing about a traveling call. Ended up just clapping extra loud whenever someone scored.
Skatepark visit went sideways quick. Those skater girls did kickflips like it was nothing. I wiped out trying to ollie over a Coke can. Got strawberry knees and a new respect for skateboard grip tape. Daughter filmed my epic fail – probably TikTok material.
College softball game was rained out. Sat in my car eating gas station tacos watching lightning cancel the game. Felt like a metaphor for women’s sports funding sometimes.
End Result
Viewing party saved the day. Twenty of us crowded in a too-small living room screaming at the TV. When our team scored, we blasted Queen’s “We Will Rock You” on repeat. Neighbors banged on the walls but we didn’t care.
Biggest takeaway? Doesn’t matter if you’re volunteering, spectating, or faceplanting on concrete – showing up matters. My back hurts today, my shins are purple, and I spent too much on parking. Zero regrets. Already planning next year’s tour with actual kneepads.