I would like to start off this post with a quick apology about missing last weeks post. Ok got that out of the way that was easy as pie. No but seriously I got a few threats asking kindly that I remember to update every Sunday like I promised. So yes I am back. So here goes...and how is pie easy? I couldn't make one.
Where did I leave off? Injury status: Nelly - Cleared to play ASAP (leg) Flemming - Swinging hard again (shoulder) Me - 95% (leg) Schøler - out til '10 (knees) Søe - Out til '10 (broken foot)
So 3/5 coming back to the grind is good news. This is really good news because we are leaving for Stockholm Friday morning for pool play for the Nordic Cup. The Nordic Cup is a small tournament featuring Denmark, Norway, and Sweden's best teams. We have a tough draw in pool play with Nyborg top club from Norway and Sollentuna 3rd or 4th ranked club from Sweden. Considering Marienlyst (my team) won Denmark last year that means two #1 seeds are in one pool. Which doesn't make much sense but we are up for the challenge regardless. Not only do we have fresh bodies coming back, but we signed a 6'9" middle from Australia and he landed in Denmark today. This move really solidifies our team and adds much needed depth at the middle position which has been plagued by injuries and absences due to prior commitments and agreements. Adding another full time player will make practices that much more competitive and will really I think make us the team to beat in Denmark if we weren't already.
Apart from the daily practices, miles of biking, and regular weight lifting sessions I decided to start swimming at the local pool. I thought it could be fun and a low impact way to loosen the muscles up and get into good shape. I bought a 30 entry pass and figured I would go once a week and that pretty much covers the season here. Christa, Nelly, and Joe all came with and seemed game for the plan of once a week at the svømmehal (swim hal). It is a nice facility nothing fancy, a 25yd pool with 6 lanes and a springboard diving board. Naturally our eyes lit up at the sight of the board and we ripped a few jumps before we got into actually swimming. We neded up knocking out 24 laps of mostly freestyle with a few breaststroke laps mixed in. It was a really good work out. Swimming is hard! Week two is tomorrow.
On the volley front we have actually been playing some pretty good volleyball. I can't remember the last set that we dropped. We have been starting to click on the pins (volleyball set either front or back all the way to the antennae) and everyone is starting to feel what their rolls on the team are and really performing accordingly. It has been a relief to finally see some of these things falling into place. By no means are we even close to our potential yet but all I'm saying is you can start to see what we could really look like come Feb-Apr and it is exciting.
We had to set up the city again this week (see previous post). It wasn't as bad as I remembered the first time around we got a bit smarter and made it easier on ourselves but the work really isn't fun at all. But I only had to do that Monday. Today I got to travel with the team that I coach on Tuesday mornings at the Hjallese School. Today they played in a small tournament in Bremming a city to the west about an hour and a half from Odense. This was the first time that they were actually playing real matches since the whole time that I have had them so they were excited to play. They are a really fun group of 15-16 yr old girls. I started using some of the little Danish sentences I've learned and it made the day pretty entertaining. I had all of them laughing they must think I'm crazy. But they really surprised me with how well they played today. To actually see them focus all of their attention to the game was really cool to see. They won both matches the first 3-0 and the second 3-1. The tournament was supposed to have more teams but from what I heard a lot of the teams backed out when they heard the winning team would get a bid to play a tournament in China. I guess if you really weren't going to consider going then there was no point in playing in the tournament. So since we won we got the bid to China. I guess they are going to have a meeting and decide if they can afford it. The principal of the school was asking me about if I would be free in July for the tournament. If they buy the ticket I am there. That would be incredible China is on the travel list for sure!
Friday morning we are driving to Stockholm leaving at 6 am and playing Saturday and Sunday in pool play. Probably coming back directly after I would imagine so I will be gone all weekend. I will have my computer so hit me up on Skype anyone at home can call me for free at (708) 572 - 4499. Leave a message if I'm not there, yea it's fancy so what!
Also here is my address for anyone who was curious:
New Address:
Christiansgade 79 stuen tv.
5000 Odense, Denmark
Currently Rocking:
Music Albums- Paramore - Brand New Eyes/ Pearl Jam - Backspacer/ Mew - No More Stories Are Told Today, I'm Sorry, They Washed Away/ David Gray - Draw the Line/ Delta Spirit - Ode to Sunshine/ Artic Monkeys - Humbug/ Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer/ AFI - Crash Love
TV Shows- 30 Rock/ Top Gear (uk)/ Miami or LA Ink/ Kitchen Nightmares
Book-Harry Potter 5
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
China? Wow. When I heard that I got this strange urge for Chinese food. We went last night to Han 202. It sucked. Anyway, it would be really cool if they could raise some funds and send you along. Just watch out for tanks if you go to Tienanmen Square.
ReplyDeleteI was just reading of some chefs who have some favorite restaurants in Shanghai. Let me know where you might be going and I will send you a list of their local greasy spoons, or greasy chop sticks.
Speaking of swimming, I had our pool open late and enjoyed a long swim on a very cool day. The steam was rising off my 20,000 gallon hot tub. The top of the water was 97 degrees. Colder below, like the ocean, and as I swam with the pooches the water mixed to a pleasant 90, unlike the ocean. I felt like a large spoon stirring the soup. I was in heaven (actually in a pool) with my pups, a beverage, some music, my phone, and the new salt water system. I felt like a mermaid (mermale?) as I gracefully glided through the depths. I was especially careful to occasionally surface because I do not have gills. All was well until I got out and went inside for a nap (swimming like a mermaid with my legs together is tiring) only to awake 2-hours later and realize my phone also decided to take up swimming. I gave it mouth-to-microphone but it didn't come to life. I buried it a week or so later. Now I have the Hero.
If you can, send me email updates of your games and any available video.
Well, gotta go to work. Enjoy your next swim!