Playing sports while growing up in B.C. is a unique experience. I remember dreading late-night winter soccer practices, knowing I would be out in the cold instead of staying home, wrapped in a blanket, watching sports on TV was devastating as a kid. The sheer wind chill, torrential rain coming down sideways, or the frozen ground we played on were not for the faint of heart.
When I switched to the indoor sport of kickboxing, I realized how much the elements made outdoor sports unique. Gone were the days of laughing with my teammates while we jumped in rain puddles, replaced instead by the low hum of a faulty air conditioner and the stale smell of sweat.
Now that I no longer play organized sports, I look back on those outdoor seasons with far more appreciation than I had as a kid. The weather was rarely enjoyable, but it made the moments of fresh air and shared hardship meaningful. For that, I am strangely grateful for the cold, rainy nights.
