Final training in Washington D.C. before heading to Argentina
July 20, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Is anyone out there a fan of the Today Show? Every once in a while I like to start my day with that show, and one of my favorite segments is "Where in the world is Matt Lauer." Matt will take a week and travel to different spots all over the globe. This year he started his adventure in Buenos Aires, Argentina! I remember watching it thinking how wonderful that part of the world looked, and wouldn't you know that is where I am headed today! We are going from steamy hot temperatures where sweat just pours off you when you walk outside, to winter temperatures in Argentina. Well, it is not quite Milwaukee winter temperatures, but it will be around a 40-degree change for us as temperatures range from 40 to 60 degrees.
We ended practice on a fantastic note. It was absolutely the most competitive I have seen our players practice. They all made each other better. Bodies were flying all across the court and they were constantly in each other's face. I believe their will to win is the best I have seen since the start of training. Perfect timing huh? I think they sense the big task that is ahead. Our men's U18 team earned the sliver medal in Argentina, and our team realized what we have ahead of us will be no walk in the park. I think they realize how well we are going to have to play to bring home the gold. We must take care of the ball, rebound with urgency, talk on defense, and have mental toughness to give ourselves a chance. I sound like a coach, don't I?
Right now, we are all busy grabbing lunch and getting our last minute packing in before loading the bus. We don't take off until 9 p.m. tonight so we are going to tour a museum or two and finish up the afternoon with another Washington Mystics game. It's a wise decision to be in air conditioning before taking our 10.5-hour flight that is ahead of us. I have some excellent books to read and am hoping I can sleep a little which has never been easy for me on planes!
I wish I could write more but I am hungry and want to make sure I get a good meal in before the last leg of this trip starts. I hope to write a few entries while I am there as I will be busy scouting and helping to get our team ready. We are staying in the athletes' dorm in Argentina. I will have to let everyone know what it is like to be back in a dorm! I should have brought a poster to put up on the wall like I did way back in my college days!Â
Going for the Gold,
Terri
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