On Sunday Becky and Edwige arrived in Valencia, which makes us 5 at practice from now on... sweet... a whole starting line up. (I know that coach is ecstatic to finally get things started on the court)
In the last 3 years Becky and I have played on two teams together: Cras Basket Taranto and Sacramento Monarchs (WNBA) and I am glad to be her teammate again.
Edwige and I have a different story. We've known each other for about 16 years now ... we met as opponents in the Cadets European Championship and continued a friendship as penpals over the years (I don't know if you remember what that was, but BACK IN THE DAYS people used to write things called "letters" on a piece of paper, put a stamp on it, and drop it off in the mailbox). We lost touch when I went to the States to study, but once I returned to play in Europe we met again, but continuosly played on opposite teams... we have always talked about playing together, but for some reason it had never worked out.... until now! Needless to say, I am pumped and I am hoping for great things!!! (No pressure, E!)
Hola a todos,
as many of you have noticed... I do take A LOT OF PICTURES... and today I thought it'd be nice introduce some of our staff members to all of you.
Here are the people that make our days a living....... heeeeeaven, of course ;)
From left to right: Alejandro Toledo (Assistant Coach, Strength & Conditioning "specialist" ;), Jordi Fernandez (headcoach), ME and then last but not least Carme Lluveras i Puig (general manager)
Ljuba and JORDI... our teammanager, a.k.a."busy bee"... if things need to get done, Jordi is there... gotta get registered at the police? Jordi will be there to pick you up at 8am! Got to get your blood taken? Jordi will scoop you up before breakfast! Need some water during practice? Where's Jordi?!
Ruben Guijarro, our physiotherapist... and helpmate during every second of practice
Germán Ros Garcia and me at my presentation and official welcome to Valencia by the media
I don't have anymore pictures at the moment, because I haven't feel comfortable with harassing EVERYbody yet.... but once we get to know each other better here in RosCasares-Land, I'll make sure to post some more pictures.
OH NO... that's all there's to say as an athlete when you are told that you are in for this special "fitness test".
The VO2-Max/Lactat Threshold Test... ON THE TREADMILL.
It's for sure not the worst thing in the world, but come on, a simple EKG-test on a bicycle would do it, too... lol.
In our profession, before our contracts become 100% guaranteed, each player has to go through a physical examination organized by the clubteam. This clause protects the club and assures them that they didn't buy a pig in a poke.
In my career I've been through different types of "acceptance" tests, as I like to call them: from simply shaking the team doctors' hand and telling him that I was healthy, to getting my blood tested, doing step-ups onto a box, to the oh-so-hated Lactate Threshold/VO2-Max Test.
Yep, I mean the word alone makes you say "OH!"
What in the world isthis test about?VO2 Max measures the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during maximal or exhaustive exercise.
Lactate Threshold points out the moment/intensity of an exercise where our bodies rapidly begins to accumulate lactic acid... Simply put, when our muscles start to get tired.
What in the world is all of this good for?
It measures the aerobic fitness and maximal oxygen uptake and helps to determine the most efficient type of practice to "get into shape".
How does such a test look like?
To spare myself the embarrassment, I decided NOT to film myself during the test... lol... but here is a video that show what we go through... and let me tell you, I was almost running as fast as this girl... almost!
Who would have thought that becoming a professional basketball player would lead to all of this?
Hahaha, it's not just running up and down the court and putting a small orange ball into a round wire, but luckily MOST OF THE TIME it is!!!!!
... and here are some pictures of my test:
Enjoy, but don't laugh... or I am going to schedule you to take one, too!!!!
getting started... still all smiles
getting hooked up to the mask.. it's super tight and doesn't smell good... and even though I am not, I felt claustrophobic
still posing
oh oh, here we go!
phew, the treadmill is slowing down... after about 15 minutes of testing... hallelujah!
getting my blood pressure measured..... (As if I am not hooked up to enough cables yet...lol)
And yes, I am a little exhausted, thus the empty stare ;)
the lady is poking my ear for some blood: the lactate sample
come on, lady!!! please I am tired... no more blood!
Well thanks to some nice ladies... I was introduced to a Valencian specialty last week:
Horchata & Fartons
"HORCHATA" is an icy cold refreshment drink made of of ground almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley or tigernuts. (it tastes like a milky sweet slushy) VERY YUMMY.
They are served with some sweet pastry rolls, called "Fartons".... lol, yep... don't laugh at that word... hihihi.... as a combination... VERY REFRESHING!! Luckily I received the treat after a tough 2 hour practice with the boys team, so I was able to indulge a little bit, without feeling too guilty!!
Hola a todos.
It's Friday night and it's 11.30pm... usually time for people to start hanging out and getting ready for the weekend.... well not for me ;)
I just got home 30 minutes ago from practice, threw in load of laundry, finished dinner and now kicked up my feet. I have planned to write a little summary this weekend... but it's not Saturday/Sunday yet ;)
Just to hold you off for a little longer, just wanted to share one of the songs I like to listen to these days when I cruise around Valencia... enjoy!
