The morning for me started off with a bang.. literally. I was soundly sleeping when all of a sudden I hear this huge BANG, followed by and shatter and I practically jumped out of my bed with fists clenched ready to pounce on some intruder. If it was some intruder I'm sure they would've been extremely intimidated. Ha. Turns out it was just my wall clock that was supposed to be securely hung on the wall, falling onto the flow breaking it to pieces. At 4:45 am, it was a great start to my day. Even though I didn't fall back asleep I wasn't too disappointed because today was the first day of preseason training.
We were told to be on the field at 6:10 ready to warm up and then the mile fitness test would follow on the track. I was feeling good, took my sport beans, and was listening to some pump up Skrillex and by the time I got warmed up I was ready to go. Coach split up the team into two groups for the run. First was A-L and the second was M-Z. Even though I would've rather been put in the first group to get it over with, I got to watch everyone else go. In the first group there were like four who got under 5:00, Champions Club, while there were like three who didn't even pass the 5:30 mandatory time. Anyway my group was up next. We lined up and just as i predicted, people FLEW out of the gate. The leader after the first lap hit the first lap at one minute. I hit it comfortably at like 1:17, pleased with my pace while there were like ten guys ahead of me. And then as soon as that first turn hit on the second lap, people started cracking. I was closing the gap and still feeling comfortable. I made some passes on the straightaway and was in third place by the third lap. I hit the last lap at 3:47, very close to my goal pace of 5:00 thinking I could close with a 1:13 last lap. Anyway I came across the finish line in second place at 5:01. To be honest, I'm disappointed I couldn't pull out the 5:00 Champions Club. One second... If I knew I was that close, I could've found something extra. But in all honesty, that's still a great time, my PR and coach knows that I am in shape. That was the main goals of the summer tour. Anyway only five made Champions Club so I am still in great shape compared to everyone else I would say.
We followed the fitness test with training on the practice field for two hours. It felt great to get back on the field with real solid talent. Honestly, I feel completely comfortable playing with everyone. My speed of play and decision making is keeping up with everyone else, including the upperclassman. Coach even once yelled a compliment across the field to me which is encouraging.
Tonight our training got moved to 8:30 instead of 4:30 due to some wet field issues but we will be playing full field thirty minute games. There are three teams so I will basically have two games for a total of an hour to show coach my game ability. I am playing left mid so hopefully I can make some solid runs and get some crosses or shots on goal. I just want to make a good impression.
Overall it has been a tiring day. I had time for one of my classic power naps after the first session and even did my first load of laundry. The athletic training building has laundry for us, but I would rather do it myself and make sure I have my gear for the next session and not lose it or whatnot. Eventually I will probably use it each day to make things easier (and better smelling in my room). The only thing that is different than I thought it would be is that the team doesn't really use the locker rooms. The locker room is a big room with a whole bunch of lockers for all male athletes so the team doesn't really use it. I haven't even seen my locker yet but I am gonna try and find it so that I can throw some extra gear in there and even maybe keep my cleats in there so I don't have to bring them back to the dorm and make a mess of the place.
So that's about it for today. I probably won't have time to post tonight about the scrimmages cause it'll be late so that's why I'm doing it now but I will try to find some more time tomorrow to post before our first scrimmage vs. George Mason later that night.
Peace out cub scout
-TZ
