Being from California, I have slowly realized that I am a spoiled brat when it comes to weather. And I am also extremely ill-prepared for the East Coast winter.

I didn’t own a peacoat until this year. Rain boots? I finally bought a pair from Target in October. When I thought of Uggs in California, I associated them with miniskirts. When I think about Uggs now, I immediately think of trudging through the snow. Talk about a rude awakening.

This year, I decided to join a co-ed touch football league with other people in my law school section. I love group sports. Luckily for me, I never had to deal with being picked last when we played sports in physical education class. As a child, my mom had always sent me to sports camps. I’ve gone to soccer and basketball camps, had a tennis teacher, swam on a swim team for a few years, and have probably attempted most sports out there. I won’t say I’m athletic, but my eye-hand coordination is rather acceptable.

I wanted to participate in a group activity this year, especially something involved like a team, because I miss playing team sports. Working out at the gym is amazing, but it is a very solitary activity, and I miss the fun that comes along with joining a team. And since everyone on my team is part of my class at law school, I figure it can only bring everybody closer together.

It had snowed in Washington, DC overnight and when I woke up, I was scrambling trying to find my sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt. I finally found my long-sleeved shirt under a pile of clothes (note to self: hang your laundry!) but the sweatpants were non-existent. So I had the genius idea of playing football in 35 degree weather in shorts.

Amazingly, I did not get frostbite. The worst part was walking to the metro and from the metro to the football field. Once I started actually running and playing, my legs and toes started warming up and I was fine except for my hands. Am I considering buying special gloves? Yes.

Even though the game was over by 1pm, I had to run some other errands and didn’t make it home until 6pm. I felt like a snowman by the time I entered my house.

Lesson learned. Playing sports in the cold is a whole different ball game. You need preparation. You need clothes. You need layers. Even though I toughed it out yesterday, I don’t intend to do it for the rest of the season. If I’m going to be effective on my team, I can’t afford to be thinking about how cold and frozen I am during the game.

 
What do you wear to exercise in the cold?

Have you ever played a co-ed sport?

Photo credits: Todd Klassy | Cindygraphics | Nicole Choi