I have been in a fairly bad mood the last couple of days because I don't think I am going to be able to play this weekend. I have been going to our athletic therapist and getting ultra sounds and doing strength exercises for my ankle and I have been going to a chiropractor and getting ART, which is Active Release Technique, and basically what he does is breaks down the scar tissue that builds up around injuries, it's actually quite neat. After every rehab session I've had my ankle feels way better. I stopped limping after the first day but last night at practice I was jogging around a bit and it's different than just walking. I have pain just under my left ankle bone. I had to get x-rays to see if there was a fracture but I don't. I just have a bone bruise and soft tissue damage but I almost think it will be enough to put me out for this weekend. But I'm going to try and train tonight and Friday and see how it goes. I might just freeze and tape it for practices and the games this weekend and take some ibuprofen so I can play. I can't not play, it will kill me. I've had to sit out for 2 training sessions and it drives me crazy. I will come back and I will be stronger than before. And if I can't run for a bit then I will start to put some size on, gym everyday. Well one day rest, I'll do a 3-day split. Back and tri's, legs, and chest and bi's. I can't wait to get bigger, I'll be coming back next training camp at 205 and just ripped. Built like a brick shit house for lack of better words.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
My Day-September 27, 2010
Well going out for a few after my game didn't help my ankle or help drown the sorrows of a 1-point weekend. And it made for a rough morning when I had a writing class at 9 am. I had to go in and see our athletic therapist today and I got some routine checks on my ankle and then I heard her talking with someone that it might be a fracture on the distal fibula. But I saw the doctor a couple hours after and he said that it could just be soft tissue damage but I still have to go get an x-ray done to see whats going on. I better be able to play this weekend, that's all I have to say. If I'm out for more than 2 or 3 days I am going to lose it. It won't happen though, I'll be at training on Wednesday for sure with just a couple days of rest and ice.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Match Day 6
This morning, I don't know what it was but I just didn't feel nervous or anything before the game. I usually have butterflies and I pace around and listen to music but it was different today. It's not that I wasn't pumped up for it but I just wasn't nervous. I was calm and collected and just thought about what I needed to do. Personally I think it was one of the better games I've had so far in CIS but the results would prove differently. They went up 1-0 on what was a very good play by them; their left defender had a great run down the line and beat 3 of our guys and then crossed it in for a diving header. On our part, it was shit, how can 1 guy dangle around 3 of our guys with no one sticking him? And then, how can a guy get past our left midfielder to get a diving header? It's ridiculous. When our games start we don't have everyone engaged and then we shut down and we don't hustle our asses off for every ball. We have 2 guys playing on the wings who are in the worst shape on the team and that is the position that has the most running. And they don't do anything on their own to improve their fitness and they don't go very hard in training and it is such a piss off. The single most important thing in soccer I think is fitness. If you aren't fit then you can't do the job you need to do. Their other 2 goals was laziness. The first one was a long ball switch and our last man back jumped up and missed it because he was out of position and then they ran in a shot it into the low corner. Their last goal was ridiculous, we were playing 3 in the back to try and get forward and then from our own end our guy passed the ball to one of their forwards and he didn't chase him back so it was a 5-on-3 and then he walked in and hit it low into the corner.
In the 60th minute a guy got pushed on to my leg and I had an eversion sprain of my left ankle and i was limping around until the 70th minute and then got subbed off. But I got taped up and then went out for the last 10 but it didn't help us much.
In the 60th minute a guy got pushed on to my leg and I had an eversion sprain of my left ankle and i was limping around until the 70th minute and then got subbed off. But I got taped up and then went out for the last 10 but it didn't help us much.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Match Day 5
“Defender”
When your teammates look you in the eye they have to believe in you. You’re a defender. Never give your tactics away. Be invisible and dangerous. Don’t give up any ground to your opponent. Gauge your movements to the very last millimetre. Pass just a fraction to early or too late and it’s a foul, a second too quick or too slow and you’ve missed the ball. You have to fight for every one of them. You have to run yourself into the ground for them. You have to fight tooth and nail for that extra centimetre. Because when you add up all those centimetres, what you get is the difference between victory and defeat.
We came out hard and had most of the possession of the first half but they had 1 chance and got 1 goal because of this stupid play that our coach wants us to do on their free kicks. The way its supposed to work is that we have one guy right behind the wall and as the shooter hits it that guy drops off incase it goes on the near side of the wall but our guy dropped to soon and left 4 of their guys onside and they had a free header, 1-0. We continued to press and continued to get opportunities but just couldn't finish. I 'd say it's about 85% mt fault we didnt't get a goal in that first half. I am the one to look for on corners, throws, and free kicks and I couldn't get my head on anything! I was getting so frustrated. Trinity players started getting to me too. Elbows in the back, punches to the head, you name it, they did it. It basically worked too because I screamed and swore at the ref and called him an idiot and that he should pay attention, no yellow though. That was all near the end too when we were pushing for our second goal and I was ready to punch their big guy in the face. He was the one doing most of that shit to me.
Tomorrow's another day though, UBC at home. #4 UBC vs #6 Lethbridge. We are coming off a 1-1 draw that we should have won and they are coming off of a loss. I have to stick someone in the first few minutes of the game so I can set the tempo of the game.
ATIITUDE IS EVERYTHING
When your teammates look you in the eye they have to believe in you. You’re a defender. Never give your tactics away. Be invisible and dangerous. Don’t give up any ground to your opponent. Gauge your movements to the very last millimetre. Pass just a fraction to early or too late and it’s a foul, a second too quick or too slow and you’ve missed the ball. You have to fight for every one of them. You have to run yourself into the ground for them. You have to fight tooth and nail for that extra centimetre. Because when you add up all those centimetres, what you get is the difference between victory and defeat.
We came out hard and had most of the possession of the first half but they had 1 chance and got 1 goal because of this stupid play that our coach wants us to do on their free kicks. The way its supposed to work is that we have one guy right behind the wall and as the shooter hits it that guy drops off incase it goes on the near side of the wall but our guy dropped to soon and left 4 of their guys onside and they had a free header, 1-0. We continued to press and continued to get opportunities but just couldn't finish. I 'd say it's about 85% mt fault we didnt't get a goal in that first half. I am the one to look for on corners, throws, and free kicks and I couldn't get my head on anything! I was getting so frustrated. Trinity players started getting to me too. Elbows in the back, punches to the head, you name it, they did it. It basically worked too because I screamed and swore at the ref and called him an idiot and that he should pay attention, no yellow though. That was all near the end too when we were pushing for our second goal and I was ready to punch their big guy in the face. He was the one doing most of that shit to me.
Tomorrow's another day though, UBC at home. #4 UBC vs #6 Lethbridge. We are coming off a 1-1 draw that we should have won and they are coming off of a loss. I have to stick someone in the first few minutes of the game so I can set the tempo of the game.
ATIITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Friday, September 24, 2010
My Day - September 24, 2010
Today was a pretty fun day. I had 3 classes today which weren't even that bad, although I am still sort of having troubles with writing but it's starting to come along. Last night I wrote a summary on an academic essay, which is fairly difficult because of all these new terms I'm learning and trying to find them. I guess we'll see what happens with that on monday. After classes were done I had practice, but on Fridays we go fairly light because of the games on the weekends but we got the work in. Doing set pieces, corners, throw-in's, etc., but it helps us out for games with timing and all that so it's good. After practice we went to our captain's house for a team dinner and had some pasta and bread and then after that it was the teams annual NHL hockey draft. It got pretty intense; 10 picks overall, 6 forwards, 3 defenders, and 1 goalie. It's pretty funny because everyone wants the good players and then when they're picked everyone else is like "ah crap, that's who I wanted to get!". And then everyone has to think of a new player for their pick and then someone gets him and then you keep having to switch your guys around and it's pretty funny.
Tomorrow is game day! Home to Trinity Western, and apparently they bring lots of fans with them and they heckle quite a bit but we are trying to get tons of people out to tomorrow and Sunday's game to heckle the other team to give us a bit of an advantage. I am so pumped for this game though. My cold is gone and I am fit and ready to go. I'm going to be winning balls in the air, sticking tackles, bumbing people off the ball and making all my passes count. Most of all though is I am going to be talking to everyone on the field and making people go where they need to. Game prep starts tonight, well technically it starts after the last game ends, but tonight is when I really start getting focused and then I'n the morning I get myself pumped up to try and be the hardest working guy on that field.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Tomorrow is game day! Home to Trinity Western, and apparently they bring lots of fans with them and they heckle quite a bit but we are trying to get tons of people out to tomorrow and Sunday's game to heckle the other team to give us a bit of an advantage. I am so pumped for this game though. My cold is gone and I am fit and ready to go. I'm going to be winning balls in the air, sticking tackles, bumbing people off the ball and making all my passes count. Most of all though is I am going to be talking to everyone on the field and making people go where they need to. Game prep starts tonight, well technically it starts after the last game ends, but tonight is when I really start getting focused and then I'n the morning I get myself pumped up to try and be the hardest working guy on that field.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Thursday, September 23, 2010
My Day- September 23, 2010
I didn't have classes until 3 today so I did what I do most Tuesday's and Thursday's; slept in, ate a good breakfast, went and worked out hard, and then studied before class. Yep, that's not a bad day. Except it does kind of suck that I have to wait for class to happen and that I have practice 10 minutes after class is done. I always make it time though so its not that nig of a deal.
Practice tonight was ridiculous! People are so god damn lazy! They jog to get back, instead of sprinting and they have almost no movement off the ball. I can't believe some of the players that are here playing at this level. It's actually quite frustrating. I mean, I'm not the most talented player in the world or the best player on my team but I showed up to training camp in shape and I work my ass off in practice and I listen to whatever is told to me and I try and improve my abilities. Some people just jog/walk around acting like they are the top dog and don't have to work hard. It's crap, you don't get anywhere in life going half assed. You've got to give it everything you've got in every aspect of your life and then, and only then, do you get to dictate what happens in your life. No one's here to hold your hand every step of the way. You've got to earn your respect in this world.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Practice tonight was ridiculous! People are so god damn lazy! They jog to get back, instead of sprinting and they have almost no movement off the ball. I can't believe some of the players that are here playing at this level. It's actually quite frustrating. I mean, I'm not the most talented player in the world or the best player on my team but I showed up to training camp in shape and I work my ass off in practice and I listen to whatever is told to me and I try and improve my abilities. Some people just jog/walk around acting like they are the top dog and don't have to work hard. It's crap, you don't get anywhere in life going half assed. You've got to give it everything you've got in every aspect of your life and then, and only then, do you get to dictate what happens in your life. No one's here to hold your hand every step of the way. You've got to earn your respect in this world.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
My Day - September 22, 2010
Woke up at 5:45 this morning for early morning training. It wasn't too bad, we just did a full body workout. It's in a fairly small space that we do our team workouts in so I usually get sweating pretty good. I love to be around other people while I'm working out and just push myself to the limits so I can beat them. I can usually push myself harder than most other people and I love it. That's what I get high on, screw drugs.
Once my classes started the day got pretty slack because besides Writing, my other classes are fairly easy. I can't lose focus just because they're easy though. I have to push myself in every aspect so I can just kill it in school and then kill it when I'm done and working. I can't wait to start working again. I love training people. I like to challenge myself to challenge my clients with workouts too, nothing better.
We were supposed to have a pretty hard practice tonight, which we sort of did but I was still expecting a lot more fitness. People on my team are so damn lazy. Like our midfielders jogging back to help myself and the other three defenders when the opposition has a 6 or 7 on 4, its ridiculous.
Once my classes started the day got pretty slack because besides Writing, my other classes are fairly easy. I can't lose focus just because they're easy though. I have to push myself in every aspect so I can just kill it in school and then kill it when I'm done and working. I can't wait to start working again. I love training people. I like to challenge myself to challenge my clients with workouts too, nothing better.
We were supposed to have a pretty hard practice tonight, which we sort of did but I was still expecting a lot more fitness. People on my team are so damn lazy. Like our midfielders jogging back to help myself and the other three defenders when the opposition has a 6 or 7 on 4, its ridiculous.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
My Day - September 21, 2010
I was supposed to go to the gym with a buddy from my team at 7:30 this morning but then I figured that Tuesday's are my only day off's so I slept in a bit. I didn't have class until 3 today so I puttered around the house for a bit and did some cleaning and then made a shake for breakfast. The shake had protein, L-glutamine, carrots, spinach, an apple, an orange, some grapes, a plum, a kiwi, and then some plain yogurt, milk, and a scoop of ADAM'S (natural) peanut butter in it. It is probably one of the best shakes I make by far. After breakfast I got ready to go to the gym. I didn't really work out that hard today because I am starting to feel a little sick and just wasn't really feeling it today. After the gym I went to my one class of the day and we watched bits of movies and that was about it, pretty lame. I'm making a big pot of pasta sauce tonight so I can have it for a few days, I'm pretty excited for it.
Match Day 3 and 4
I would like to start by apologizing for not having any posts in the last few days. If anyone is reading this anyways, hahaha.
I'll start with Friday, we had a little practice for about an hour to just work on things for the game like shooting, crosses, headers, etc. After that we got on to the bus for a 7 hour ride to Saskatoon to play U of S. Nothing really exciting about the bus ride at all.
Saturday, September 18, 2010 - Match Day 3
Sorry to say but I am not going to go into much detail about this game or the next game because it was an awful weekend. The first 5 minutes maybe were ok but then it just started to snowball into the worst game I've ever been in. Our keeper got a red card in about the 20th minute and we were already down 1-0 at that point. Penalty kick, down 2-0. They scored 3 goals after that in about 10 minutes. And then at the end of the day we lost 8-0. Every goal was because of laziness and lack of communication. The lack of communication in the back line falls a lot on me because that is one of my biggest jobs when I'm playing. Giving direction, telling people where to go, when they need to go for a tackle, when they have a man on, when they can open up. I need to be the one that talks more than anybody and I'm still not doing it. I have no idea why but it makes me quite upset with myself. I can change it though, I need to change it, I will change it.
After a terrible loss in Saskatoon we got on the bus and drove for another 6 hours and got to Edmonton at about 10 pm and then we went to bed determined to change the next game.
Sunday, September 19, 2010 - Match Day 4
Today we had our minds set that we were going to beat U of A, we had to. We came out filled with piss and vinegar and were willing to do what ever it took to win. We came out and were beating U of A for the first 40 minutes and were up 1-0 about to go into the half and then on a corner in the dieing minutes they scored. We were all marked up and then there big man cam in at the last minute and we couldn't get anyone on him in time and he buried it. We went in to the dressing room tied 1-1. When we came out were didn't bring the same intensity as in the first half and we couldn't match there's. Not to mention we were playing like idiots. Trying to do slide tackles from 10 yards away when we should have not been so lazy and just got to the spot and jockied them. All-in-all just dumb decisions and then again, a major lack in communication all over the park and then we began to shut down again.
Monday, September 20, 2010
I am just going to skip to the time of our practice. We had an easy practice because it was Monday but that's not what our coach wanted to do. He is pissed at us right now mostly because of our fitness. He is upset with everyone in that aspect except for 4 people. 3 of the 4 are defenders and the other is our striker. Everyone else is out of shape. And these are the people who have to be running non-stop all game. That's part of what is costing us games for sure. After practice tonight we went right to the university for a yoga session. Yoga is actually quite tough but I really want to get into it a lot more. Being more flexible will help with my game drastically. After yoga we went to study hall, all first years and anyone who was below a 3.0 GPA last year had to go. I am actually glad we "have" to go because it will help me so much.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
I'll start with Friday, we had a little practice for about an hour to just work on things for the game like shooting, crosses, headers, etc. After that we got on to the bus for a 7 hour ride to Saskatoon to play U of S. Nothing really exciting about the bus ride at all.
Saturday, September 18, 2010 - Match Day 3
Sorry to say but I am not going to go into much detail about this game or the next game because it was an awful weekend. The first 5 minutes maybe were ok but then it just started to snowball into the worst game I've ever been in. Our keeper got a red card in about the 20th minute and we were already down 1-0 at that point. Penalty kick, down 2-0. They scored 3 goals after that in about 10 minutes. And then at the end of the day we lost 8-0. Every goal was because of laziness and lack of communication. The lack of communication in the back line falls a lot on me because that is one of my biggest jobs when I'm playing. Giving direction, telling people where to go, when they need to go for a tackle, when they have a man on, when they can open up. I need to be the one that talks more than anybody and I'm still not doing it. I have no idea why but it makes me quite upset with myself. I can change it though, I need to change it, I will change it.
After a terrible loss in Saskatoon we got on the bus and drove for another 6 hours and got to Edmonton at about 10 pm and then we went to bed determined to change the next game.
Sunday, September 19, 2010 - Match Day 4
Today we had our minds set that we were going to beat U of A, we had to. We came out filled with piss and vinegar and were willing to do what ever it took to win. We came out and were beating U of A for the first 40 minutes and were up 1-0 about to go into the half and then on a corner in the dieing minutes they scored. We were all marked up and then there big man cam in at the last minute and we couldn't get anyone on him in time and he buried it. We went in to the dressing room tied 1-1. When we came out were didn't bring the same intensity as in the first half and we couldn't match there's. Not to mention we were playing like idiots. Trying to do slide tackles from 10 yards away when we should have not been so lazy and just got to the spot and jockied them. All-in-all just dumb decisions and then again, a major lack in communication all over the park and then we began to shut down again.
Monday, September 20, 2010
I am just going to skip to the time of our practice. We had an easy practice because it was Monday but that's not what our coach wanted to do. He is pissed at us right now mostly because of our fitness. He is upset with everyone in that aspect except for 4 people. 3 of the 4 are defenders and the other is our striker. Everyone else is out of shape. And these are the people who have to be running non-stop all game. That's part of what is costing us games for sure. After practice tonight we went right to the university for a yoga session. Yoga is actually quite tough but I really want to get into it a lot more. Being more flexible will help with my game drastically. After yoga we went to study hall, all first years and anyone who was below a 3.0 GPA last year had to go. I am actually glad we "have" to go because it will help me so much.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Thursday, September 16, 2010
My Day-September 16, 2010
I woke up this morning and I was super excited because my new cleats were getting delivered and it is a very exciting moment of my soccer playing.
http://www.soccer.com/ViewProductImages.process?Product_Id=860010&Image=19953
These are my new cleats and I can't wait to wear them in practice tonight. I have 2 games this weekend but I don't think I'll wear them because I don't want to get blisters too bad. I will still bring them of course so I can wear them in a bit.
Instead of going to the gym this morning I decided to do a home workout doing body weight exercises and using my TRX. Such a good burn from it, I love it.
http://www.soccer.com/ViewProductImages.process?Product_Id=860010&Image=19953
These are my new cleats and I can't wait to wear them in practice tonight. I have 2 games this weekend but I don't think I'll wear them because I don't want to get blisters too bad. I will still bring them of course so I can wear them in a bit.
Instead of going to the gym this morning I decided to do a home workout doing body weight exercises and using my TRX. Such a good burn from it, I love it.
My Day-September 15, 2010
Today was a good day, but long. I woke up at 5:45 for early morning training. We had a leg day which was good because I had an upper body day yesterday. And as we all know, or should, is that you should NOT work the same muscle group within 24-48 hours of each other. Rest is just as important as the work you do. The muscle is rebuilding during the rest. And then that is where good nutrition comes in. Making sure that you are getting a mix of protein and carbs after workouts to rebuild the tissues and also replenish glycogen stores for you next workout. Anyways, after that workout I had an hour to kill before class so I hung out with some buddies and then went to writing class. Let me tell you though, that class is going to get the better of me. I'm confused the whole time my professor is talking. The day ended off with a few more classes that were quite a bit easier. I was at the university for 8 hours today though, it sucked. I got home and ate and then had a bit of a nap before I went to practice. We worked on a lot of set plays today which was good but I felt like I just wasn't getting my head on any ball coming into the box, which is my job in the attacking third. Tomorrow will be a different story though. We had to end practice early because of the wind that came out of nowhere. We saw the dark clouds coming in and then the wind came and starting blowing the balls all over the field and blowing equipment everywhere. And then the rain came. After practice I came home and ate a nice big plate of pasta to replenish the glycogen that was lost and then I relaxed for a bit and then hit the hay.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
My Day
September 14, 2010
Today was a little more exciting. I didn't have class until 3:05, which kinda sucks because it's my only class and I have to wait around all day. However, I woke up at about 8 and ate and then went and had a good workout and then showered up. After that I went and hung out with a friend for a little bit until she had class and then I got to go and meet with the dietician! She actually told me that she rarely gets people like me coming in to see her. She said it took her a little while to think of things to give to me because I am so on top of my nutrition. I am trying to put on some mass and pretty much what she wants me to do is just add more carbs into my post-workout meals and some more protein. But really she didn't change that much to what I'm already doing. She just wants me to keep doing what I'm doing but to do more of it. She kept saying "I'd like to meet your mother", in regards to my eating and then eventually I told her that it was pretty much all me and then she was even more impressed. I am proud of myself right now. I thought my nutrition still needed work but it's pretty good.
Today was a little more exciting. I didn't have class until 3:05, which kinda sucks because it's my only class and I have to wait around all day. However, I woke up at about 8 and ate and then went and had a good workout and then showered up. After that I went and hung out with a friend for a little bit until she had class and then I got to go and meet with the dietician! She actually told me that she rarely gets people like me coming in to see her. She said it took her a little while to think of things to give to me because I am so on top of my nutrition. I am trying to put on some mass and pretty much what she wants me to do is just add more carbs into my post-workout meals and some more protein. But really she didn't change that much to what I'm already doing. She just wants me to keep doing what I'm doing but to do more of it. She kept saying "I'd like to meet your mother", in regards to my eating and then eventually I told her that it was pretty much all me and then she was even more impressed. I am proud of myself right now. I thought my nutrition still needed work but it's pretty good.
My Day
September 13, 2010
There wasn't anything too exciting about this monday. Second week of classes and the first day after our first weekend of games. With a win and a loss we are in a 5-way tie for third place in the CIS West conference. We are sitting in third place though with goals for and against. That is basically it for today. Classes went well but we stiall aren't doing that much. Practice was slack on running but we still got some work in with shooting.
There wasn't anything too exciting about this monday. Second week of classes and the first day after our first weekend of games. With a win and a loss we are in a 5-way tie for third place in the CIS West conference. We are sitting in third place though with goals for and against. That is basically it for today. Classes went well but we stiall aren't doing that much. Practice was slack on running but we still got some work in with shooting.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Match Day 2
September 12, 2010
Today I got up and looked outside and it was cloudy. I was hoping for rain but in the end the lethbridge wind blew the cloud cover away and the sun broke out just when the game started. I hate the sun. The game's possession was at about 50/50 all day with chances on both ends. In the 70th minute we went up 1-0 and managed to hold out the win.
Enough about the game as a whole team though, this blog is about me and that's what I intend to tell. My job in the game was to man-mark UVic's "big guy" up front. In reality he was my height but he could jump like he was born to do it. He beat me to probably 85% of every fucking ball. I was pissed off when half time came. What this should do to me is pump me up and get me ready to smash him to the ground every time that ball goes up. I don't know what's going on with me right now but I better figure it out quick or I'll be watching our games from the sidelines. I need to work on my timing in the air and going into tackles. I need to become stronger on the ball and make my passes and kicks count. Enough of this "get that effing ball out of here" bullshit. I need to calm down and play it around the midfielders and defenders. What's making me mad right now also is I've said this exact same thing in another blog post but I still don't do it. I need to change my playing style to be the best defender out there and have strikers afraid to come into challenge me. I need to get bigger, faster, and stronger so I can win everything!
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Today I got up and looked outside and it was cloudy. I was hoping for rain but in the end the lethbridge wind blew the cloud cover away and the sun broke out just when the game started. I hate the sun. The game's possession was at about 50/50 all day with chances on both ends. In the 70th minute we went up 1-0 and managed to hold out the win.
Enough about the game as a whole team though, this blog is about me and that's what I intend to tell. My job in the game was to man-mark UVic's "big guy" up front. In reality he was my height but he could jump like he was born to do it. He beat me to probably 85% of every fucking ball. I was pissed off when half time came. What this should do to me is pump me up and get me ready to smash him to the ground every time that ball goes up. I don't know what's going on with me right now but I better figure it out quick or I'll be watching our games from the sidelines. I need to work on my timing in the air and going into tackles. I need to become stronger on the ball and make my passes and kicks count. Enough of this "get that effing ball out of here" bullshit. I need to calm down and play it around the midfielders and defenders. What's making me mad right now also is I've said this exact same thing in another blog post but I still don't do it. I need to change my playing style to be the best defender out there and have strikers afraid to come into challenge me. I need to get bigger, faster, and stronger so I can win everything!
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Match Day 1
September 11, 2010
I woke up at 6:30 this morning in excitement. It's the first game of the season and my first game at university in the CIS West division. All the soccer I've played in my life has lead up to this day. Although not knowing I would be at this level really until my last year of high school it has still added up to this. I woke up to a text from my coach this morning, it read, "believe in yourself. Be confident, aggressive, engaged. Every high ball is yours! We are starting you because we know you can do the job for us!". When I read this this morning i got goosebumps. I am ready to come out and give any opponent hell. After coming into a tackle once with me he's going to be hesitant for the second one. I'm going to be loud. Communicating. Giving direction. Letting my team know whats going on around them. If you aren't nervous in a situation like this then there's something wrong...Well, that didn't go as we planned. We started off ok and the possession was about 60/40 for us. And then we started making stupid mistakes and stop communicating with each other. We were getting on each other after little mistakes and then it started going down hill. They had a 2-0 lead after the first half. When we came out we started playing a bit better and we were pushing hard for a goal but it never came, it ended 2-0. I played fairly well but my communication was lacking, especially with my other center back. I had a few good headers and was passing the ball alright when I'd have the chance. For tomorrow and the rest of the season I need to just keep my composure when I have the ball and play it around through the midfielders and other defenders. My best play of the game was probably a 40 yard chase when they had a 3-on-1 and I caught the guy, slid him, and then got the ball back up the field. Other than that though I am disappointed with my play and I need to do better tomorrow. No excuses.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
I woke up at 6:30 this morning in excitement. It's the first game of the season and my first game at university in the CIS West division. All the soccer I've played in my life has lead up to this day. Although not knowing I would be at this level really until my last year of high school it has still added up to this. I woke up to a text from my coach this morning, it read, "believe in yourself. Be confident, aggressive, engaged. Every high ball is yours! We are starting you because we know you can do the job for us!". When I read this this morning i got goosebumps. I am ready to come out and give any opponent hell. After coming into a tackle once with me he's going to be hesitant for the second one. I'm going to be loud. Communicating. Giving direction. Letting my team know whats going on around them. If you aren't nervous in a situation like this then there's something wrong...Well, that didn't go as we planned. We started off ok and the possession was about 60/40 for us. And then we started making stupid mistakes and stop communicating with each other. We were getting on each other after little mistakes and then it started going down hill. They had a 2-0 lead after the first half. When we came out we started playing a bit better and we were pushing hard for a goal but it never came, it ended 2-0. I played fairly well but my communication was lacking, especially with my other center back. I had a few good headers and was passing the ball alright when I'd have the chance. For tomorrow and the rest of the season I need to just keep my composure when I have the ball and play it around through the midfielders and other defenders. My best play of the game was probably a 40 yard chase when they had a 3-on-1 and I caught the guy, slid him, and then got the ball back up the field. Other than that though I am disappointed with my play and I need to do better tomorrow. No excuses.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Friday, September 10, 2010
My Day - September 10, 2010
Today when I woke up I started my nutrition logs to give to the dietician. It’s just basic, no protein, carbs, and fat intakes. I did write the total calories of some things though. For the last while my diet hasn’t changed too much. So I’m guessing my caloric intake is at about 3200 kcal or so. It takes a lot of fuel to keep this machine running.
Practice is at 3 today and it will be about an hour and fifteen minutes or so, and then we have a team dinner at 4:45. I think it’s at an Italian restaurant so it will be pasta’s and salads. The dinner was good but it didn’t seem like very much food to what I’m used to. So I decided to have some rice crackers when I got home.
Practice today was kind of slack and we just worked on set plays, mostly corners. My communication was lacking and I think a lot of it tonight was because I would start to say someone’s name and then I’d forget their name and then wouldn’t say anything. I need to be way more aggressive on corners too. I’m the biggest player on the team, I should be winning everything. Which brings me to my next point, my timing is just a bit off. I have to work on my timing for whenever the balls in the air and I’m going for a header.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Practice is at 3 today and it will be about an hour and fifteen minutes or so, and then we have a team dinner at 4:45. I think it’s at an Italian restaurant so it will be pasta’s and salads. The dinner was good but it didn’t seem like very much food to what I’m used to. So I decided to have some rice crackers when I got home.
Practice today was kind of slack and we just worked on set plays, mostly corners. My communication was lacking and I think a lot of it tonight was because I would start to say someone’s name and then I’d forget their name and then wouldn’t say anything. I need to be way more aggressive on corners too. I’m the biggest player on the team, I should be winning everything. Which brings me to my next point, my timing is just a bit off. I have to work on my timing for whenever the balls in the air and I’m going for a header.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
My Day - September 9, 2010
September 9, 2010
I woke up today and had my usually breakfast; cereal with skim milk and a piece of fruit. And then it was off to the gym. I did a full body workout today because I don’t plan on working out the day before a two game weekend. I really worked my posterior chain today; hamstrings, glutes, lower back, lats, traps. I really want to get my entire upper body built up, and my lower body of course but I want to be a beast on the field. I plan on coming to training camp next year at 205 lbs. That’s why going to this dietician is going to help me so much. I want to just pack on lean muscle and get my body fat down to about 5%.
Day 2 of classes start at 3:05 today and I only have that one class and then it’s off to practice. I think it’s just going to be like yesterday where we go over the course outline and then they let us go…Yep, that’s all we did in class, course outline and introduced ourselves to some people. I think I’m actually doing something tomorrow in my classes.
Practice was unreal tonight. It was raining so it really reminded me of playing back home. There’s nothing better than playing in the rain. It just brings a whole different feel to the game. The slide tackles start coming out and brings a certain rush to people, myself included. I’m starting to get out of going through the motions, I think, I hope. When its game time I am a different player as well but I have to start being a practice player as well as a game-time player.
I had whole grain pasta and with chicken for dinner tonight and it really hit the spot. I made a huge pot of it 2 nights ago so it’s been lunch and dinner the last few days. I really can’t wait to see that dietician and get my nutrition down. It will give me a psychological advantage I think. Just knowing that no one else eats better than me, most likely anyways. As a matter of a fact, even right now I doubt anyone on the team does.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
I woke up today and had my usually breakfast; cereal with skim milk and a piece of fruit. And then it was off to the gym. I did a full body workout today because I don’t plan on working out the day before a two game weekend. I really worked my posterior chain today; hamstrings, glutes, lower back, lats, traps. I really want to get my entire upper body built up, and my lower body of course but I want to be a beast on the field. I plan on coming to training camp next year at 205 lbs. That’s why going to this dietician is going to help me so much. I want to just pack on lean muscle and get my body fat down to about 5%.
Day 2 of classes start at 3:05 today and I only have that one class and then it’s off to practice. I think it’s just going to be like yesterday where we go over the course outline and then they let us go…Yep, that’s all we did in class, course outline and introduced ourselves to some people. I think I’m actually doing something tomorrow in my classes.
Practice was unreal tonight. It was raining so it really reminded me of playing back home. There’s nothing better than playing in the rain. It just brings a whole different feel to the game. The slide tackles start coming out and brings a certain rush to people, myself included. I’m starting to get out of going through the motions, I think, I hope. When its game time I am a different player as well but I have to start being a practice player as well as a game-time player.
I had whole grain pasta and with chicken for dinner tonight and it really hit the spot. I made a huge pot of it 2 nights ago so it’s been lunch and dinner the last few days. I really can’t wait to see that dietician and get my nutrition down. It will give me a psychological advantage I think. Just knowing that no one else eats better than me, most likely anyways. As a matter of a fact, even right now I doubt anyone on the team does.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Thursday, September 9, 2010
My Day - September 8, 2010
Waking up today was one of the greatest feelings I’ve had in quite some time, the feeling of going back to school and getting my Kinesiology degree. I was up at 5:45 this morning for speed and power training which started at 7. After that I showered and took my time getting ready for English 1900 which started at 9. We went over the course outline and we got our first assignment, all it is is to read a poem which we’re going over on Friday. Next I had my coaching in sport class; again we went over the course outline and discussed a few things that will be coming up in the course. Part of the class is going to be a practical section where we have to get 20 hours of coaching time, piece of cake. My last class of the day was my Kines 1000, which is basically an intro into kinesiology. From my past school experience this will be a walk in the park. I’m guessing it will basically be like a review for me.
Practice at 4:30 this afternoon, which I am so pumped for because last night I sent my coach an email telling him that I want him to start yelling and getting mad at me when I mess up because it doesn’t help me when everyone is supportive of mistakes. And it actually makes me up my tempo when someone is yelling at me and getting mad because I know then that I’ve done something wrong and it needs to be fixed and if I don’t fix it then I’m getting taken off the pitch. I just booked an appointment with a dietician. Next Tuesday is going to change my life forever (or at least until next year when I see the dietician again).
I don’t know what’s going on with me right now. I get all amped up for training before I go and then I get there and we start getting into things and it seems like my mind just starts to wander. I hate it! I want to be playing like I used to, balls to the wall and full of intensity. I have to overcome this somehow. I need to get the bad stuff out of my head and be thinking of soccer when I’m playing soccer, nothing else. Before university I was playing in a way so I would be ready for university. Now it’s time to get rid of that sissy way of thinking and just go all.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
My Day - September 7, 2010
I am disappointed with myself after tonight's training. I was sluggish, my passes were bad, my decision making was bad, and to top it all off I wasn't communicating, at all! This is what happens to me when I have nothing to do all day. My mind wanders and I'm not focused on what's important. I wasn't enjoying myself tonight. I kept getting mad and frustrated and that's the shit right there that will stop me from getting to the next level in my own game. I need to stay calm and composed and make smart decisions for those 90 minutes of every game, and the 120 minutes of every practice, and for every other minute off the pitch. That's what will make me a better leader.
On another note, classes start tomorrow and I am so pumped up for it. This is it, I'm finally here. No one ever told me that I couldn't get here, and to be honest, everyone has been very supportive. I like to tell myself that, “I have to prove them wrong”, but there's no one I'm trying prove wrong. I'm here because I want to be and I'm doing this for me. In a way I'm proving myself wrong though because I was the one who never thought I could be here. Now it's time to show myself that I'm meant to be here and to get through every class with the best mark I possibly can, and to let nothing stand in my way.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Monday, September 6, 2010
My day - September 6, 2010
I woke up today ready to get some wind sprints done with the boys. We went at 11 and went for about an hour. The cereal for breakfast did the trick for some carbs. Now I’m taking a bit of a rest before heading for a workout with one of the guys. I’m going to a school yard to use that equipment for some killer body weight exercises. I’m going to bring my TRX with me too so we can mix things up a bit. I had a pretty good “hood” workout this afternoon with a few buddies. I realized something about myself though; my core is not strong enough yet. That is something I’ll have to work on before I try and get bigger. Good thing I have 2 months before I try to get bigger. Eating some pasta now to keep my body anabolic and to replenish. I’m playing a game of street hockey tonight at 6:30 with some guys from my team, it should be fun.
I’ve just got to keep moving through this one day at a time. Nothing is too challenging and nothing will stand in my way. Attitude is Everything.
I woke up today ready to get some wind sprints done with the boys. We went at 11 and went for about an hour. The cereal for breakfast did the trick for some carbs. Now I’m taking a bit of a rest before heading for a workout with one of the guys. I’m going to a school yard to use that equipment for some killer body weight exercises. I’m going to bring my TRX with me too so we can mix things up a bit. I had a pretty good “hood” workout this afternoon with a few buddies. I realized something about myself though; my core is not strong enough yet. That is something I’ll have to work on before I try and get bigger. Good thing I have 2 months before I try to get bigger. Eating some pasta now to keep my body anabolic and to replenish. I’m playing a game of street hockey tonight at 6:30 with some guys from my team, it should be fun.
I’ve just got to keep moving through this one day at a time. Nothing is too challenging and nothing will stand in my way. Attitude is Everything.
My day - September 4, 2010
When I woke up this morning I had a protein shake with fruit and vegetables in it. I used a banana, an orange, some grapes, a nectarine, a plum, and then 2 handfuls of spinach, it was delicious. It's the weekend now so we don't do that much with people still trying to get things organized for school but our coach had us do some sprints this morning. He told me he didn't want me to do them because he wants me to take a break when I can get it so I agreed, I wish I hadn't though. I was there watching everybody do sprints and I wanted to do them so bad. However, I am going to the gym later today so it's not that bad. I didn't go as hard as I wanted to tonight at the gym, was lacking a bit of motivation. Just a minor speed bump though, no big deal. Going to hit it hard tomorrow with a leg day and to make the day complete I am going to start logging what I'm eating and see what my caloric intake is right now.
My day - September 3, 2010
This morning I spent many hours online looking for the highest quality of foods that are rich in protein, down to complete and incomplete proteins. I also found foods that are high in carbohydrates, both simple and complex. Also I have pages of the best fats for you, particularly those high in omega 3 fatty acids. Now I have pages upon pages of foods I am going to eat that will keep me in tip-top shape for my season and my life.
Classes are only five days away and I can't express how excited I am. I've had to wait for 6 months; from the time I became a trainer until now, for this dream to become a reality. I'm going to be picking up my final textbook today, 'Introduction to Competition'. I guess now I can give a heads up on my first semester of classes, I will be taking: English 1900-intro into language and literature, kinesiology 1000-wellness and physical activity which has a lab, kinesiology 2120-sociological and psychological dimensions of physical activity, and kinesiology 2986-coaching in sport. In an email I received late last night I discovered that because I don't have some of the prerequisites I am going to have to take a math 0500 and chem 0500 class before I can even take 4 of my 6 science cognates I need in order to graduate. It's not that big of a deal though because I can use them and science electives, which I need anyways.
We had a short inter-squad match at training today and on the team I was on we played with 3 in the back, I was in the middle controlling the pace of the game. We ended up winning 3-2 I believe. I'm starting to get annoyed with how our training sessions are. The team is pretty much set and the starting line-up is somewhat set so everyone is just going through the motions of practices and just getting way to laxidazy. If we keep it up we will get destroyed this season. People have to show up ready to battle for every ball and fight for those starting positions. And to be honest it rubs off on other people when the majority are all doing it, myself included. I hate when people don't show up with their intensity levels high.
My day - September 2, 2010
Woke up and decided it was time for a day off from the gym. Made myself a nice big fruit salad and enjoyed the rest of Roy Keane's autobiography, it got me pumped up for the day. The university puts on a new student orientation every year and I was signed up for it but didn't end up going. Maybe I will tomorrow but I still haven't decided. I got all my student loan stuff figured out so now all I need to worry about is school, soccer, and the gym. Oh, and maybe some relaxation time with some 'new' friends I plan on meeting. I'm getting some pasta in my body for lunch today. Complex carbohydrates at this time are perfect for a 4 o'clock practice. Practice went pretty good tonight. We worked on a lot of crossing and finishing, but didn't do too much fitness. When I got home I was fairly hungry and made a spinach salad, brown rice, and a boiled chicken breast. Proteins, carbs, fibre, and little fat; now that's my idea of a perfect meal. Plenty of rest for me tonight to prepare for the gym in the morning and an inter-squad match in the afternoon.
My day - September 1, 2010
My day started off like most these days, cereal with skim milk and a nectarine for breakfast and then off to the gym. It's about a twenty minute walk to the university, a nice little warm up. Once I get to the gym I start on the elliptical, I like a full body warm up. Worked my upper body today; back, bi's, chest, tri's, shoulders, and then finished it off with core. I work hard every time I work out, whether it is on the field or in the gym. Go until I've got nothing left, I'll rest after. I went to the gym pretty early this morning so when I was done I didn't have much to do, so I read; Roy Keane's autobiography. Reading what he has gone through with his soccer gets me amped up. He plays with the intensity and attitude that led him as far as it did. True inspiration.
We had our last exhibition game tonight. Both teams were up for the battle. We were the team that came out on top with a goal in the 85th minute. I myself had a goal early in the second half but it was waived back due to me being offside, I didn't agree with the call but I'm not the ref. After the match it was back home for some stretching and fuel. I had some whole grain rice with boiled chicken on it, gotta get the carbs and protein in after a workout.
Conner's Journey
Here is Conner Brady's first hand journey of studying Kinesiology at University and playing varsity soccer at the same time. We'll update his experiences at least weekly, so check back regularly. Enjoy...
A Little History
My journey began back in high school when I didn't know what I wanted to do after graduation. University was what I was thinking in my grade 12 year and then I got this feeling like I was about to waste a lot of time and money on something I wouldn't be able to do. After a few months after graduation I was working meaningless labour jobs and realized that I couldn't do this forever. I didn't want to turn into my brothers, as much as I love them, this wasn't what I wanted. In October, just 3 months after I graduated, a friend of mine told me that they could see me doing something in fitness. At that very moment it was like a light turned on. It hit me on what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. The fact that it never occurred to me earlier I still don't understand. I started looking online for where the best places were to get some sort of certifications. I looked at the process of becoming certified and then looked at what would be the best way to do it. I found a private institute in Surrey, BC dedicated to personal training and fitness leadership. I found out about the instiute on a Wednesday, called that very same day, and I was down the following week to look at places and go through my interview to get into the school. I packed up everything in my room and moved the very next week. I had two weeks to wait in Surrey before classes started and all I wanted to do was get in a start learning. Class started on November 2, 2009 and we got right into the business. We started with introductions and what not first. This is where I met Aaron Tews, the course instructor, a brilliant man with a great sense of humour. We started with fitness theory and which led into weight training and eventually into personal training. These courses were pretty tough but with the help of Aaron and other classmates, along with my eagerness to learn, I got through the course. However, not only did I make it through the course, I graduated with honours! It was a little while before the end of the course that I realized nothing could stop me. I was going to push myself and do the best I could in every aspect of life. I made the decision to go to University. I applied while still at the academy and I was set to start in September. I was going away to school not only to get my B. Sc. In Kinesiology but I was also going to play soccer. A passion I've had since I was a young lad. Over the next few months I trained for the up-and-coming soccer season and worked as a trainer. The experience at the gym I was at really helped me realize what it's like to be in the environment. It pumped me up every day! I was happy and excited to go to work. This went on for the rest of the summer. I had two jobs, roofing and training. After that I would go to soccer practice or to the gym.
The University / Varsity Journey Begins...
This all led up to the last few weeks. Training camp for the universities soccer team started on August 16, 2010. I was in fairly good shape when I got to camp but that first day, with the time change and the dry Alberta air hit me fairly hard. We worked hard on the ball and off, the coach ran us hard. Day two was a different story; I was ready for this day. I came out hard and knew I had something to prove. Day three was fitness testing. For a bigger man I figured my agility was up to par. The real test came at the end, the beep test. I beat everybody! I beat my old times; I ran a 14:13. In case you're wondering, a beep test is a running test. Cones are set up 20 metres apart and you run across every time you hear a beep and it gets fast and faster the longer you go. The training days have basically been the same every day except for game days. I wake up, eat and then go to the gym. I just have myself on and upper/lower split right now. Then I get home and eat again. Have a few hours to spare and then it's off to practice where we work on technical abilities with the ball as well as our fitness. I've had six exhibition games so far. One in Medicine Hat, two in Great Falls, Montana, and then three at home. I've started and played every minute of every game. My first year and I made the starting line up! Whoo! I feel great right now.
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