Video Shmideo.

I was working pretty hard on a video that was intentional for the team as a "good luck" video and to also show case how hard we work and a bit of behind the scenes action. I offered the video up if they wanted to to show it at the Send Off dinner on Friday but I guess it is too personal. So, a lot of those hard hours have gone for only my eyes to appreciate now! I am going to spend tonight modifying a more simplistic and "traditional" video which will basically skin down to individual photos, game highlights and some random action shots... To top that off it's going to be mixed with the exact same stuff for the men's team. It will be fine for the send off dinner but will kind of be against why I always make my videos for the team! Nonetheless, you can't please everyone and hopefully people will still enjoy it! :)

It's been awhile since I've updated because I went back to the island for a few days since we had no practice. I was vividly following the Women's World Cup taking place in Argentina where Argentina beat Netherlands 3-1 to take the gold medal ANDDDD.... my favourite player in the whole world, Luciana Aymar, won the gold medal, won tournament MVP and earned her 300th cap in the final match. What an honour! I was also watching the bronze medal game where England defeated Germany in a stunning 2-0 performance! Highlights can be seen on the BBC website.

Our team is back at training and putting in more time on the turf as we prepare for New Delhi. We are putting in a lot of individual sessions to tighten up on basic skills and set places like defensive and offensive short corners. It's great to be out on the turf a lot but it sure takes a lot out of you. On top of that we have our usual fitness and strength work outs and my new favourite Hot Yoga!! I was just there today sweating it out but I am getting better and my athletic therapist is even noticing less tension in my shoulders.

Injury update is that there are no tendon tears and nothing torn period in my shoulder. Celebrating that, for sure. There is still a lot of tenderness and pain though throughout the day and when I play so, we are scheduling a special MRI for when I return from India because even if the labrum (equivalent to the knee's meniscus?) is torn or partially damaged, there isn't anything that they can do for it now anyway! So, the plan is to keep playing, keep strengthening (I am already way stronger than when I was in Venezuela) and keep everything else healthy. I am up to date on vaccinations, asthma medication, allergy medication and now iron supplements! So, hopefully I am healthy for India and we can come away with our goal of 5th place. That would be an unbelievable accomplishment for our team that is coming in ranked 7th! Some of the best teams in the world will be there including Australia, England and New Zealand so now is our chance to take them down while they are on their high after the World Cup!

Not much else to report other than photos and video to come from Friday's send-off Event.