Can a runner be a soccer player? (Read 2009 times)

I have been *trying* to play soccer for a few weeks now, just a fun pickup game with kids and adults on the weekends, but every time I do, my quads and groin muscles just scream at me, either during or after the game. I try to play easy, but I've found that's just not in my competitive personality's repertoire! I treasure my ability to run above all else, so I've dropped out a few times in order to keep myself from ripping apart, but does anyone know of a way to keep demanding team sports on the same calendar as running? I imagine it's the same with basketball, hockey, and other fast/agility games. I want to do both!

I play soccer every summer just for fun, too and I would try to run after my games. Although that wasn't the best idea, I had leg soreness like you. I found that two things helped me: Properly warming up before (stretching and running a few laps before the start) and taking a nice, hot bath with epsom salt and baking soda. I never thought about the first because like you I was going to play it "easy" and the second really helps sore muscles.

I love soccer (futbol), but my skillz ain't as great as my passion for the game so I was relegated to being a defender.

Hmph! Some of us CHOSE that position! k--still more of a sprinter than a distance runner...respect the ginormous thighs!

Heh, when I used to play in a Summer league I was always fullback. It got kind of boring, since we had a really great line of forwards. When the ball would end up back by us my tactic was mainly to run as hard and fast into the guy (I was often the only girl on the field--which was pretty fun) with the ball as possible and kick the ball to one of our midfielders. Sometimes having short legs and a lower center of gravity is a real plus! k

Playing soccer is a great workout for middle-to-long distance runners. In fact, it was long believed that one reason (years ago) that the best middle-distance runners were from Europe & Austrialia is because they grew up in countries where playing soccer is the national pasttime. It provided a great foundation for running. Think about the constant stop-and-go (fartleks), speedwork, and endurance you get from playing soccer. Yeah, your quads will get a workout, but that's what you want.

plus if you're good no matter how you look you can always score a supermodel

I play soccer on Sunday's in a rather competitive Hispanic league. What I found when I first started playing again was I wasn't in nearly good enough shape and wondered if I was going to be able to keep it up. Well about 4 weekends later I was able to play the whole game at full speed. Like anything else it is going to take a while for the muscles you don't use every day not to be mad at you and your lung capacity will catch up rather quickly. The hardest thing for me is the first 15 minutes of my games. During season I tend to do my long runs on Saturday's and it can be rough getting my legs to do what I want them to on Sunday Mornings. So I guess what I am trying to say is just let your body get used to using these new muscles and your lungs used to running at a faster pace for longer periods of time. Before you know it no one will be as fit as you on the field. Towards the end of my last season I would actually run a couple miles after the game as a cool down because I had enough left in the tank. Have fun the rest will come in time.

I'm not sure about a runner being a soccer player, but a soccer player can definitely be a runner. A guy in my HS was on the soccer team and decided to run track his junior and senior year. His development was obscene. Senior year, he was a state champion on the track!