Ok  the list could go on and on and on and on and on. I need to get back to the real world thing and get out of my house now!

Thanks for the motivation fellow bodyspacers!

I have one last challenge for the year; a 5k for Turkey Day. I’m not a runner, so I’m only looking at finishing while running. If it isn’t to chase after a ball, I prefer to walk, bike, skate, but not run.

Time to get back to lifting at my pace, doing the cardio in the PM and eating at normal times.

 I’ve made it up to University Park, PA for two games so far this month. It’s not about a good game, but the atmosphere of being in such a large stadium with so many crazy blue and white people. I didn’t go there, but spent enough time in Happy Valley during my collegiate days that it’s always a great place for football, soccer, or Creamery Ice Cream. I did skip tht last time for a visit to the North Club a mature gym. I guess that’s a big thing in a college town.

I have also given up on the girls team. I teach a total system, so once somebody throw’s a cog into my system, I really can’t allow that due to the confusion factor. I’m already struggling with that for my boy’s team since some of my players are also playing jr high soccer, jr high football, cup soccer, midget football, cub scouts and whatever else. I’m learning that the kids who play on other soccer teams are not forced to learn proper technique or new skills, but instead fall back on their old habits. However the hard ground due to lack of rain here has several of my team members on the IR.

I’ve also been making time to take friends and co-workers for longer training walks in preparation for Pittsburgh’s Great Race on Sunday. My workplace is challenging other sites in our company to a time and participation challenge for the event. I went out and recruited walkers/first time racers to give my sight a chance at the most participants. I’ve found some really neat parks and trails to conduct training walks.

Anyhow with the G20 in the big city this week, I’m laying low and only having one soccer practice this week. It will be all drills, that way by game day my kids will be really hungry to play.

Today’s my heavy day, hit the legs this morning, shoulders at lunch and spinning afterwork. Tomorrow is just going to be chest and arms. Then some weight lifting rest until the weekend.

Anyhow with one less hour of soccer two nights a week that will give me time to get my own cardio in or find that extra hour for sleep. I’m not being selfish, it’s just I love to teach the game, but when it comes to breaking bad habits I’m extrememly inflexible. I’ve seen too many kids and parents ruin good teams because they think they know what’s best.

OK enough with the venting. I need to rewrite my workouts so I get my heavy leg day in on Friday. I’ve been sprinting a lot more while playing on the field with my boy’s team. I’ve learned that without pushing the game they will never be ready for the next level. I also need to get back to planning meals. I’m off to the store to pick up boneless chicken breasts for dinner tomorrow. I’d rather grill those than the hot dogs.

That said this blog was inspired today when I was reading through a blog that discussed how some women just don’t have self confidence and put themselves in very scary situations.

That being said, I’ve learned that encouragement on my girls team goes a long way. I’ve tried to teach them to push themselves to do things the right way. I’ve stopped them when I notice they have developed improper techniques. I’ve also learned that by doing this I need to take a minute to show them what I need them to learn to do.

The real test comes this weekend as they will play their first 3 games for me! I’ve implemented long stretching before and after practice for the first time for a lot of them. I’ve worked on all their shooting skills, and now a lot of them are getting their first nicknames ever. I’ve modeled  a lot of their nicknames after national team players, that I think they all have similarities in their playing style.

If there is anything else I need to know that you have experience firsthand in dealing with coaching the ladies, please let me know.

 I have also decided that I need to revamp my workouts to reduce the wear and tear on my body. I’ve convinced both of my teams to practice on Tuesday and Thursday so I can still fit in the weights on the off nights, but will have very little time to recover if I run too much with them at practice.

I’ve also set a 5k race walk date with one of my friends who has never done one for the end of September.

I’m enjoying one more week of just conditioning and instructional stuff before the practices begin.

I’m off the hook after a week of cat sitting. I like dogs better, but since my friend and her husband actually agreed to do vacation together with their son, I was glad to hold down the fort. I did miss my bed, but realized some of the trails in Pittsburgh, that were once rail road tracks are really a lot of fun to ride on my bike. The view of the urban environment with the special trails is unbeatable, I just feel bad for all those idiots who are still going to PNC Park. I’m a competitor, I like watching young guys try, but I don’t like being the training ground for the rest of MLB. I remember when Sid Bream slid across for the Braves and started the dismantling of one of the greatest teams in Pittsburgh baseball ever! I hope Bonds makes it into the HALL to at least give me something to remember in my old age, since we didn’t win anything back then.

OK sorry for the diversion. Soccer training for my two teams officially begins in two weeks. I’m not a big fan of making kid’s burnout on a sport they like. The other people I coach with didn’t believe me that a two week break was due. I held informal/pick up games once a week to give the kids more or less a chance to meet up during the summer, since their school district is very large. It also gave me a chance to see what the kids do well without any coaching intervention.

Ok this is another challenging week. I gave my team’s 2 weeks off but have organized a goalkeeper camp. I have 35 little keepers signed up with another 5 parent/coaches to take notes for their season. I think I may need to book another hour-long massage again this Friday.

Well I need to get on with the laundry and maybe actually take my bike out around town today.

I’m about ready to walk around with my tank top on, grow my beard out year round, carry a big club over my head and talk using only caveman speak!

I do not like the local music or sport scene in the summer. Our baseball team is so bad that they are the Cleveland Indians from Major Leage. Despite management’s efforts to blow up a line up that was only 5 games out of first place future talent makes it neccessary for the local news to cover NHL free agency like it was the only sports news. Oh, the fact that the Mustard Palace is hosting a country type/old hair band rock show all day up until the fireworks, makes me wonder where Gen X went in this town. At my gym there are a handful of us! On a day like today the Silversneakers outnumber those of us who should have a holiday from work.

Enough of the venting. There is a reason I got my workout in this morning and was lucky enough to have a spinning instructor to give me a non-elliptical machine option for cardio. I’ve got grilling chicken marinating to avoid hot dogs today! I’ve got sweet potatoes, being baked instead of going for the potato salad. In fact the only salad today will have strawberry’s, lettuce, tomatoes and whatever else I can chop in.

Ok, back to why music sucks in Pittsburgh. I’ve had Sirius in my car for at least the past 4 years. I know why after driving out to DMB in a friends car listenting to the crap that repeats every hour.  

I went to see a little band called Augustana. Some of you who only listen to free radio in this country may have heard their song BOSTON. The attendance was not what I would expect, however considering the only radio station that would play their music, other than the local public radio station, is playing music from when I was in high school. I completely loved the Dylan that was brought out on stage. I also loathed watching 3 other local bands open for them. I even tried to get their late enough to only catch 1 of the 3, but got stuck watching 2 of them.  ( www.augustanamusic.com) ) 

Just a reminder to keep your favorite massage therapist is business and make time to just relax.

I did sneak in a good chest workout this morning and was surprised that I actually got through my usual afterwork session at 6am.

I also cooked a kicking dinner; scallops, potatoes, squash, and musrooms all slow simmered. Yummo! I don’t watch Rachel Ray, just work with her fan club.