I remember turning 26, looking at my partner, and saying “is this our last year playing Ultimate Frisbee?”
We were playing on a mixed team that had, at the time, seen recent success. We had won nationals the previous year, had a bid to the WUCC championships in the upcoming year, and we had a good feeling about our chances. It was going to be a capstone year for our Frisbee careers, and if all went well, we were eyeing to leave on a high note.
Regardless of our results for the year, we had our eyes on other plans, like getting married, finishing grad school, and starting a family. We just didn’t have the time (or money) to do all those things, and play Ultimate Frisbee.
And so I retired from Ultimate Frisbee when I was 26.
I came back when I was 30. Then I retired again.
I came back when I was 31.
I came back when I was 32. Then I retired for a third time.
I’m 33, and I…kind of came back – I was a practice player.
Next year, I’ll be 34. I have no idea what next year has in store…but I won’t dare say I retired.
What About You?
Patty King and Robin Kunze both recalled similar experiences with Ultimate Frisbee as well.
I’d like to know – when did you first retire, and have you played Ultimate Frisbee since your retirement?