2008: Year in Review

2008 was a pretty good year!

January

After a 2 year absence, I attended the

December 2007 and January 2008 camps

Stacy, Me, and Phaidra on lunch break during January camp

February

Represented the US at San Diego Sevens

Drove SBJ & Teena to Cold Stone Creamery before closing

Alison, Amy, Ellie, Christy, and SBJ before San Diego banquet

March

First time at Hong Kong Sevens since 2002

Played in Final at Hong Kong Stadium

Celebrated my birthday in South Stand

dressed as French Maid

Sightseeing at the Peak
Ellie, Ines, Amy, Me, Mike, Christy, and Teena

After the Final
Christy, Ellie, me, Teena, Amy, Pam, Kelly, Ines, Alison, and Sadeana

April

Started second 4 week peaking work out program

Worked with NYRC U-19s

New York U-19 girls, Big Apple Classic Champions

May
Represented the US at Amsterdam Sevens
Walked by the Osdorp windmill everyday while on tour
Started blogging in Amsterdam
Traded for clogs and jackets

USA v Brazil, Melissa on attack


Jess and Jenn as Brazilians

June, July, August
Summer of "Beefcake"
Played with the NRU
Coached NYRC u-19

Hanging with the horses during a weekend with the NRU


Recovery: Alison, Ines, and Kitt


NRU at ITTs, Pittsburgh

September
Went to two camps in one month:
Bronxville and Little Rock
Pink Cape traveled through the US

Chris in the Pink Cape at Little Rock Camp

October

Completed the 7 day food challenge
Completed fitness testing in Bronxville
Selected for Dubai 7's
Enjoyed Sweet Sixteens in St. Louis

New York Rugby in St. Louis

November

Finalists in Club National Championship
Champions of New York Sevens

Photo courtesy of Sabrina Asch
Champions of the 50th Annual New York Sevens

BR:Hoop, FOSL, X, Flateman, Jenny, Brafman, London, Me, Hedwig, Maura, Hobs, and Rosalie
FR: Carrie and Daniela

December
Chose a wrestling nickname
Tried out the Ty-breaker
Worked a lot!
Countdown to 2009!

On Disappointment: Dealing with Selections

Eric Rush and I at Hong Kong Sevens

How have you dealt with setbacks in your rugby career in terms of injuries/selection disappointments?


Previously I wrote about dealing with injuries. I've been thinking about the selections aspect for some time. I've considered disappointments in terms of: not getting selected for tours/territorial teams, not playing on tours, playing a position other than the one I want.

The whistle blew. The final ended early and I would not get a chance to take the field. After the game and half a world a way, I was in the stall of a the women’s bathroom sobbing. I can recall the compassionate looks of the female workers as I emerged from the bathroom. We spoke different languages, yet they could sense something was wrong.

The day after the final, I saw an interview on CNN with Eric Rush, the Kiwi 7’s specialist. He talked about his experiences growing up playing rugby in New Zealand and was just as candid about disappointments and non selections as he was about his successes. His friends made age grade select teams earlier than he did. When he finally made his first select side team his father reminded him, “ It’s only one man’s opinion.” As great as it was to make that team this time around, someone else or even the same coach could have a differing opinion down the road. Listening to the interview was comforting. The next day I met and got to speak Eric Rush.

After that tour, I took several months off of rugby. Seeking answers I eventually called the coach to put some closure on that experience. In extreme cases, I have dealt with my disappointment by taking time off and taking stock of what I want from rugby. From that experience, I decided that if I were to play it had to be for the love of the game, first and foremost.

I have only taken time off in extreme cases. Otherwise, I generally deal with my selection concerns by talking to coaches and selectors. I want to know what they're seeing and thinking especially if there's something technical that I can work on. Often I find it's difficult to change others opinions. So the best way for me to deal is to just play.

Today I thought about the "Q" word. At the gym, there was the grey haired man on the treadmill and the twentysomething practicing left handed layups. In the yoga room, I could hear the clock ticking. I was feeling the pressure. Little Rock camp is 3 weeks away and I don't feel ready. On top of this, I've been fighting with my insurance about physical therapy visits. Matt, my PT, told me to stop running, prescribing the pool as a substitute. Since I haven't seen him since early December I'm not sure if I should start running again. I don't feel pool workouts are enough. Any running test, bleep or ten 100's, sounds especially dreadful.

Fitness, aside, I got to thinking about money. For a decade, I've been fundraising for rugby. Raffle tickets, raffle tickets, program ads, more raffle tickets, now calendars. What are the Men's National Team (MNT) players selling? I am fortunate and have worked hard to be in the current pool. As a benefactor, I've witnessed the improved funding of the Women's National Team since 2001. Emil, Al, Jules, and others have worked tirelessly to this end. Although, this WNT program may be the most funded in USA Rugby history, I still feel a burden of sorts. If I don't sell calendars how will I be affected? What does this say about my commitment to the program? Will there ever be a day when a woman can just train?

Due to a stop work order, the regular pub quiz spot on Smith Street was closed. This left X, Thunder Laura and I to seek out dry shelter on a rainy night in Brooklyn . Comforted by warmth, food, and drink, we entertained ourselves. I was gifted a wig which Santa left on her rounds the previous Saturday. We made up our own questions learning that geography is not X's strong suit. We watched busboys having snow fights. And the topic turned to the nickname question which became a focal point.

In the back room of a restaurant bar on 4th Avenue the Ty breaker was decided. Of the 15 plus contenders, Tynamite and Thunder Tys remained. Personally, I was leaning towards Tynamite. X and Laura disagreed as did the the Brazilian patron who chose Thunder Tys. When the names were boomed from deep within my lungs there was no doubt. Thunderrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Tys claimed victory over Tynamite.

My favorite Kooga Blues

Today I met a guy at the gym.
He asked if I play rugby.

Me: "Yes."
Guy: "For NYM?"
Me: "No, that's our men's team. I play for New York. How did you know?"
Guy: "Kooga."

Kooga, of course. Shouldn't every random Joe at the gym draw the connection between Kooga and rugby? I was sporting a familiar uniform, a heather grey hoodie with blue warm up pants, that read "Kooga" down the side of my leg. That was the only visible article of clothing that gave it away. Their tagline is "Made for Rugby." It says so right on my pants. He did pull out the "NYM"* reference, which most New Yorkers would have no clue about. Apparently he knows Molly Dengler, a New York hooker, who's played every position in the scrum. For such a big city this goes to show New York can be a small world. Going to the gym this morning I certainly did not expect to meet someone who knows Molly. Who would have thunk it? Now if only I could find Gusty Ehrlich. Anyone know Gusty?

*NYM =New York-Manhattan

Thank God it's Monday

I blogged about TGIM two weeks ago. I'm really happy it's Monday. December has been a busy month for me with three weekends in a row of holiday markets and weeks of prepping. And it's finally over. This morning I woke up tired from the constant going, yet relieved because I can take a breather. Last week, I had the best of intentions of blogging once a day. But that didn't happen. There are quite a few things I want to share with you. But before I get too carried away, I'm going to the gym so I can cross working out off of my list. Signing off for now, but I promise I'll be back soon. 

Swimming in a sauna is NOT recommended

Steam rising from the over heated pool

The "D"amn fast train was darn slow this morning. So I arrived at the gym a little later than I wanted to. Lifting and plyos were on the menu. But I really wanted to go swimming. The pool has set morning hours for adults and they would end before I completed my lifting workout. Instead of rushing through lifting I opted for a swimming workout.

"This feels like a hot spring," said one swimmer as he tested the water with his hand. The pool which is normally 82 degrees read a whopping 92 on the thermometer. Who knew that 10 degrees could make such a difference? Apparently someone left the heat on over night. The life guard warned me prior to getting in, "It's warm." I thought that won't be a problem. I'm a wuss about cold water. Don't like it. Although, I'm usually right, LOL, the life guard was right in this instance. The water was WARM, a bit much when you factor in body heat. But that didn't stop me. I got my swim on in the slow lane, of which I am a serial occupant. It's where I can use the kick board, do the breast stroke, and it's the only lane where I can run. At that time of the morning I'm usally the only one in it. On occassion there's an older gentleman who splashes everywhere, always gets water in my face as his arm comes up and over to complete the crawl stroke. But really I can't complain as it's one of the least populated places in New York City during the morning rush hour.

According to the life guard, it will take a day for the pool to cool down to normal temps. I'm not looking for a repeat of sauna like temperatures. I hope it's back to the normal 82 degrees on my next visit.