I am sorry for not having written more in the last few days, but it turns out I was exhausted.... I have been exhausted, and I am still  exhausted. There is only so much you can write about tests, training and pain.

Having said this, we have had some really good days, with everyone working their tails off. The exercise has been really hard though. John has been keeping us constantly busy; he keeps us us moving, and overall, the whole experience has been fun. As usual, I have enjoyed working with the team and I really do feel as if we have made some major strides forward.

 

On the 16^th November, we ran the yo yo test in the morning, I hate this field test at the best of times, even though I often score well. This time though, it was a different version than we are used to. It counted the levels differently from the previous version we have become used to. Instead of there being 8 or so runs in every level, this one counted every run, there and back, as a level.

 

 It was hard mentally to know how many runs you were actually running, as no one likes to know how many sprints they have done. The test was part of a hard morning and the whole squad was happy to get the test out of the way.

 

Most of our fitness work and testing has been done out on the soccer pitch, and I have loved this. Even though the 4v4, 5v5, and 6v6 have been painful at times, the competition has also been fun and enjoyable. I think soccer players always appreciate doing fitness when chasing a ball. It makes you feel as if there is some reason to it.

 

Tomorrow we are having a day off as we taper for the game against Sweden.  I wrote this in my Facebook page, but I inadvertently wrote "tapper" instead of "taper." Needless to say I have been mercilessly teased by friends about tasking up tap dancing.

 

However, we are going to be given a day off, with just some mobility work and some meetings. We will not be on the field or in the gym. This is wonderful. My big plan for tomorrow is to find a local convenience store and to buy some gum. Everyone has similar big plans.

 

In the evening, we are going to be able to watch the US versus Sweden game, which should definitely be an interesting one. Tomorrow may a day off, but soccer is still the order of the day.  I am hoping to catch as many premiership games as possible before heading to watch the women’s game in the evening.