Camp Closing and (Delayed) Return to "Real Life"

The USA WNT winter camp is officially done, however not all players and staff are done with their journeys home. Some had delayed flights, some had flights get cancelled, some got stuck in airports along the east coast, some stayed in a hotel last night watching Gator Boys and Finding Bigfoot, and at least one has to stay in Florida an extra three days. Though the trip home, for some, has been less than ideal, our journey this past week was one full of progress, intensity, camaraderie, and learning. 

Camp ended on a high note--with a match that demonstrated a high level of progress made and learning done since the initial scrimmage at the beginning of camp. Play in the second scrimmage was much cleaner and more intense than in the first, despite players spending three days, between the two scrimmages beating the crap out of each other. This was a testament to the malleability and excellent physical condition of the players. Though we, the players, were very pleased with the outcome of camp, we know we are only entering the trailhead on our journey up a mountain. 

We discussed our World Cup journey several times during camp and made plans to continue our progress and hold each other accountable during that journey (plans that we outlined on the lovely makeshift whiteboard you see in the picture). I feel really good about the foundation we've built and the steady footing everyone seems to have at this point. I also feel very fortunate to be a part of this program. We are already cogs in what has become a great machine, and we have the potential to be even greater. We have the potential to do things that some people try and fail to do, some people only dream of doing, and still the great majority are afraid to even think about doing--we have the potential to be the best at something--and I'm excited about that.

Who Is This Guy...

...and why does the albino tiger want to maul him?

Answer: This guy is Mike Ilitch, owner of the Detroit Tigers and he is standing (or has had his standing image superimposed) in front of Comerica Park, the Tigers stadium.

I know, it looks like your high school biology teacher is standing in front of one of those horribly awesome 90s school photo backgrounds. This is the poster that welcomes us in the lobby of our dormitory here at Tigertown. Sometimes Ole Mike and his wispy auburn locks (google "Mike Ilitch hair" if you want a good chortle) startles me or some of my rugby comrades after a long day of throttling each other. The image is awfully lifelike and Mikey's smile is a little creepy--like the creepy smile of that gilded, greasy guy at the bar who just wants to buy you a "cocktail."

Okay, enough about Mike Ilitch and his hair. Today, I rose from the rigidly unforgiving mattress of a Tigertown bunk bed a little sorer than I was yesterday, a little stiffer, a little more tired, and a little less anxious to go throw my body at someone. Of course, you soon realize that everyone is just as sore, stiff and tired as you are, and, if you've been in this racket long enough, you embrace the hurt, maybe laugh at it a little, crank your engine, and continue to chug along.

My own personal soreness is a little different this time around. I'm not really accustomed to having to figure out the logistical setup that hurts least when pulling my hair into a ponytail. I have been informed that this is a "front row problem," and I will get used to it. The upper-body aches that come with the "front row territory" are new to me. I would say that as a former back, I have a greater appreciation for what goes on in a scrum and with the forwards in general since my enlistment as a hooker, but since I'm a forward and am now in the middle of the scrum, that would be kind-of like congratulating myself. I'm sure that any tight five players who are reading this now are smiling to themselves in a bit of smug satisfaction (maybe there's a little schadenfreude at play) at hearing a former back acknowledge the physicality of and pains involved in their jobs, and I am glad to give them that, because they (we) deserve a lot of appreciation.

Besides the stiffness and general rugby aches, I feel good. Camp feels good. We're getting better at our system and players are becoming more comfortable in their respective roles. Today has been less physically demanding than the first two days, and I think the players are grateful for that, since the first two days were like a triathlon of boxing, a strongman competition, and the running of the bulls (although if a triathlon of that sort existed, I think rugby still may beat it in intensity). Also, we play tomorrow, so it's good to have a bit of lighter day.

Speaking of playing, I am very excited about getting back on the pitch with all that I've learned this week I want to put all of that mental focus and effort to use. This has been one of the most intense WNT camps I've attended, and I'm excited to see how we've progressed over the few days we've been here.

Return to Tigertown

Two years ago, the US Women's National Rugby Team attended a camp in Lakeland, Florida at a place called Tigertown. During our time here, I concocted several fictitious tales describing the founding of Tigertown, how Cecil Fielder may or may not be the mayor, and the possibility of it being a black hole. Those tales, being fictitious but certainly creative and creatively detailed, caused some confusion. Now that we're back in Lakeland, I'd like to clear up the confusion. Tigertown was not founded by some guy named Tigerson, Cecil Fielder is not the mayor, and it is not a black hole, as evident from our escape from it back in 2012. It turns out that it is just a training facility. However, I believe that something more covert, and perhaps a bit nefarious, than training is happening here--something to do with the abundance of styrofoam and the omnipresence of cafeteria workers (one of the ladies appeared in one of our meeting rooms talking about how the air conditioner may freeze up).

Styrofoam and nefarious plots aside, our return to Tigertown has been productive. It's Day 2 and already we have scrimmaged, done fitness testing, had two gym sessions, and have beaten and battered each other in three field sessions. We've also participated in a cognitive testing study, worked on being nutrition ninjas, and reviewed past beatings in film sessions. Seems like a lot when it's written down. Well, I'll tell you, it is a lot. It feels, as it does at most of the WNT camps and events, like we have been here for eons (maybe not eons, but more than two days). These camps and events demand so much physical effort and mental focus that you, the player, feel like you've invested days worth of "real life" effort in a matter of hours. When I say "real life" effort, I mean the effort it takes to get through a typical work/school day during a typical week at home. I don't mean to imply that this isn't "real life."

In the past, these events and camps have seemed so surreal--in the way time passes, the very high concentration of freaks in one location, the access to resources (like a rugby pitch in your back yard, nutritionists, doctors, trainers, awesome managers who do your laundry, etc), the support of people like yourself, the absence of work responsibilities, etc. However, this has become part of my life, and I think in that realization there comes a greater sense of belonging to this clan of freaks, for whom this is also a part of life. And this is one of the great parts of life. It's hard--incredibly hard at times--but like Tom Hanks says, in A League of Their Own, "The hard is what makes it great."

Anyway, enough of my philosophical ramblings. We have another field session and another gym session this afternoon, so it's time to get into rugby mode (I think I need a name for my alter-rugby-ego...suggestions?).