So I just finished my first full week of classes teaching eighth grade English for the sixth year. After meeting my students, I am just overjoyed to be teaching again. It is such a privilege to be with them, to read their writing, and to listen to them make sense of the world. I am proud to say that I am a much better teacher than volleyball player.
That said, I am grappling with working an over-ful day -- nearly fifteen hours yesterday with the evening Parent Orientation -- and getting out to the sand to practice. I am not sure how people with children and jobs manage to balance life's responsibilities and stay sane let alone physically fit. I realized after two days of saying that I'd go to the gym after school and not going, that I would not have the energy to workout after school, so I set my alarm for 4:30 am and went before school. Let me tell you that it was not easy to get out of bed when the alarm went off, but I sure was glad at the end of the day that I had checked that off my list 12 hours earlier.
Next week should be easier. I decided to take some pressure off myself by ending my volleyball season and taking some time off training while I tackle another opponent -- reading scores. Not sure if any of you know this, but "good" teaching these days does not mean reading class novels and sending kids home to read a chapter here and there. These days, students in a typical classroom read within a range of eight grade levels. "Good" teaching means that students are reading novels within their own reading range so that means I could have eight different novels going at one time. This is called "differentiation." It is a challenge, but the students deserve it.
Though I am going to take some time off training, I did promise my trainer at Health Track that I would make it to two spin classes a week and gradually get into my off-season strength building plan. My only worry right now is motivation. I ate well, drank water, and got to the gym for the last year because I wanted to be healthy, strong, and prepared for all the elements of beach volleyball; basically, I didn't want to suck. This week, knowing I did not have a tournament, I skipped meals and went thirsty because I couldn't tear myself away from my lesson plans. Some reflection time is in order this weekend to set some new goals. For starters, I think being healthy is a worthwhile goal...
Friday, September 4, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Team Dynamics: Stay the Course or Make a Change?
With any team, basic group dynamics apply. There are about four stages: forming, storming, norming, and performing. The forming stage is basically like a honeymoon or the getting-to-know-you phase in most relationships where you are trying to impress and define roles. The storming phase is, as you can see by the name, where members' true colors shine through as they grapple with impatience with progress, attitude shifts, and establishing roles. In this stage, not much growth is happening and some groups split, but it is when people are getting real, finding their place on the team. To get through this stage is to get to the real work of success, the norming phase, to find a clear sense of purpose, confidence, team support. Ultimately the team will get to performing: the group is working as one accepting strengths and weaknesses of individuals while being proactive and contributing to get real results.
The basics of group dynamics assumes that the group must stay together to get to the performing stage. I imagine that any member who splits at the storming stage may never know the potential benefits of staying together. On the other hand, if people are getting real at the storming stage and conflicts ensue, it seems like the smart time to move on -- especially if we are talking about temperament, which doesn't really change. This is the dilemma of playing team sports: should one stay the course or make a change?
If the principles of group dynamics are valid, it seems best to work through the storming stage much like one would do in a marriage. (Is that taking it too far?) Inevitably, the ground rules will be established in the norming phase making it easier to work together. However, I think there is a sense of urgency sometimes with sports; let's call it panic. There is this panic that comes with losing in sports that makes some athletes look at their team and wonder, "Do I fit in here? Is this the best place for me to be? Can I win here?" I think the questions here are valid, especially when facing another potential loss. Losing is painful! I think everyone who has been on a team asks those questions at some point -- as they should. However, I don't think everyone considers what may be on the other side of the storm: will it be success or...another storm?
In beach volleyball, you will find partnerships that change week-to-week never to see the storm, and other partnerships that try to stick it out. I began this season in early March and found a partner with the same goals. Both of us were rookies on the pro circuit and knew it would be a learning experience. We experienced a little storm in April and came through better winning some tournaments and learning a lot about the game and ourselves. We stayed the course and came out better for it!
However, there was another storm(i.e. a series of losses). Yes, more storms develop as your objectives evolve. This time, we did not survive. I was not so sure that staying the course was the most healthy way to go given our different response to the losses. We both agreed it was time to make a change to see if another partner can help us develop the mental part of our game (i.e. win). Back to the forming stage...
Peace,
Sarah
The basics of group dynamics assumes that the group must stay together to get to the performing stage. I imagine that any member who splits at the storming stage may never know the potential benefits of staying together. On the other hand, if people are getting real at the storming stage and conflicts ensue, it seems like the smart time to move on -- especially if we are talking about temperament, which doesn't really change. This is the dilemma of playing team sports: should one stay the course or make a change?
If the principles of group dynamics are valid, it seems best to work through the storming stage much like one would do in a marriage. (Is that taking it too far?) Inevitably, the ground rules will be established in the norming phase making it easier to work together. However, I think there is a sense of urgency sometimes with sports; let's call it panic. There is this panic that comes with losing in sports that makes some athletes look at their team and wonder, "Do I fit in here? Is this the best place for me to be? Can I win here?" I think the questions here are valid, especially when facing another potential loss. Losing is painful! I think everyone who has been on a team asks those questions at some point -- as they should. However, I don't think everyone considers what may be on the other side of the storm: will it be success or...another storm?
In beach volleyball, you will find partnerships that change week-to-week never to see the storm, and other partnerships that try to stick it out. I began this season in early March and found a partner with the same goals. Both of us were rookies on the pro circuit and knew it would be a learning experience. We experienced a little storm in April and came through better winning some tournaments and learning a lot about the game and ourselves. We stayed the course and came out better for it!
However, there was another storm(i.e. a series of losses). Yes, more storms develop as your objectives evolve. This time, we did not survive. I was not so sure that staying the course was the most healthy way to go given our different response to the losses. We both agreed it was time to make a change to see if another partner can help us develop the mental part of our game (i.e. win). Back to the forming stage...
Peace,
Sarah
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Preparing for July 18th EVP Chicago
Have you ever noticed that we tend to make linear plans: point A to point B? In my mind, my training has a linear and upward slope steadily moving forward toward more challenging competition as I steadily improve my skills and strength. In reality, my plan is little more spiral than linear!
This week, I feel like I spiraled backwards a little even out of control, struggling to focus... on my serve receive, communication with my partner, getting my serve in and just questioning my potential.
I have a pro tournament in two days, and I am just scared that the momentum will not shift. After two days of frustrating practice, today is one of those days that it would be easier to give up than to head back out into the heat, sand, and wind where the critical voices swirl(mostly mine). I wonder who will show up today? The strong, confident, dedicated Sarah with ball control? Or the weak, passive, unfocused Sarah?
The truth is that I have been here before. I have struggled with confidence and focus before. I have given up before. But today, today, I will not give into self-doubt. I will decide right now to drink extra water, eat whole foods, stretch, breath and show up at practice with a renewed dedication to my goal and my partner.(I can feel the spiral coming back around as I write.) Yes, I have decided the strong, confident, dedicated Sarah will be out on the sand today! The wind might howl a bit, but I am sure it will just be telling me, "Good girl!"
Peace,
Sarah
P.S. I'll let you know how the tournament goes!
This week, I feel like I spiraled backwards a little even out of control, struggling to focus... on my serve receive, communication with my partner, getting my serve in and just questioning my potential.
I have a pro tournament in two days, and I am just scared that the momentum will not shift. After two days of frustrating practice, today is one of those days that it would be easier to give up than to head back out into the heat, sand, and wind where the critical voices swirl(mostly mine). I wonder who will show up today? The strong, confident, dedicated Sarah with ball control? Or the weak, passive, unfocused Sarah?
The truth is that I have been here before. I have struggled with confidence and focus before. I have given up before. But today, today, I will not give into self-doubt. I will decide right now to drink extra water, eat whole foods, stretch, breath and show up at practice with a renewed dedication to my goal and my partner.(I can feel the spiral coming back around as I write.) Yes, I have decided the strong, confident, dedicated Sarah will be out on the sand today! The wind might howl a bit, but I am sure it will just be telling me, "Good girl!"
Peace,
Sarah
P.S. I'll let you know how the tournament goes!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Why volleyball?
For me, volleyball is a journey of self discovery. I play for fun, activity, and girl time, but it has turned into a way for me to explore my potential as a physical and spiritual human being. As I get older, my body is actually getting stronger, healthier, more flexible because of this sport. I fight fear, insecurity, and self doubt through volleyball. I see myself in the mirror that these amazing, athletic women of volleyball hold up to me during competition and am pleased to see my strengths and humbled to see my weaknesses over and over again. I practice silencing critical voices so that I can listen to the one voice that truly has the power to make my life wonderful...mine. This is the voice that give me courage to play and train outside my comfort zone to discover my potential. I suspect each one of us has some variation on the reason we play sports; might be interesting to explore your reasons.
Costs to Consider
At first, heading out to the beach to play volleyball seemed simple enough, but living in the burbs makes it a little tough. Just getting to the lake to play takes a good hour if the "bottle neck" is not choking and parking anywhere near the beach is a challenge or costly. You'd think finding a place to play is easy; there are tons of nets, but if you don't have your own, you have to rent a net and lines and pay for the court. And this is just to practice.
Tournaments are a little more complicated. Most professional beach volleyball tournaments have a team entry fee -- we are just talking two-person teams -- of $100 to get into the bracket. If the tournament is local, the entry fee is the bulk of the cost, but be sure you come with food, water, sunblock, extra clothes, a couple pairs of sunglasses with different lenses, a few volleyballs (the brand differs tour to tour), a towel or two, and a first aid kit. If the tournament is out of town, you need to make plans for transportation and hotel to be sure you can check into the tournament by 7am.
Tournaments and equipment alone put my season as a primarily local player at about $2,500. The other "costs" come down to gym memberships, personal trainers, whole foods and telling your family that you will be gone basically every Saturday for the entire season. Sometimes, your family may say you are choosing volleyball over them, but that usually is their way of saying they miss you.
Peace,
Sarah
Tournaments are a little more complicated. Most professional beach volleyball tournaments have a team entry fee -- we are just talking two-person teams -- of $100 to get into the bracket. If the tournament is local, the entry fee is the bulk of the cost, but be sure you come with food, water, sunblock, extra clothes, a couple pairs of sunglasses with different lenses, a few volleyballs (the brand differs tour to tour), a towel or two, and a first aid kit. If the tournament is out of town, you need to make plans for transportation and hotel to be sure you can check into the tournament by 7am.
Tournaments and equipment alone put my season as a primarily local player at about $2,500. The other "costs" come down to gym memberships, personal trainers, whole foods and telling your family that you will be gone basically every Saturday for the entire season. Sometimes, your family may say you are choosing volleyball over them, but that usually is their way of saying they miss you.
Peace,
Sarah
Sponsorship
Professional Beach Volleyball is a sport that is becoming more and more mainstream thanks to Kerry Walsh and Misty May’s success in the Beijing Olympics this past summer. There are many beach volleyball tours across the company drawing hundreds of players, big crowds and big names sponsors -- all in the name of summer fun.
Beach volleyball is a great venue to promote fitness, health, and our best life. People approach me at the at work, at the gym, on the beach, and while shopping for athletic apparel and even food to ask, "What do you do?" or "What are you training for?" or "What do you eat?" or "Where did you get that?" I promote my training program, my diet, my performance apparel, and my philosophy every chance I get because everyone wants his or her best life. I would love some help from sponsors in promoting this dream.
I am aware that as an athlete and teacher I am expected to represent myself and my sponsors professionally. I view myself as a role model for my students to dream big, set a goal, and take steps to make dreams come true. I also see myself representing women all over the world who balance work and play. It is truly a gift to share my time on the court with and against other athletic women who have found time to make fitness a priority.
Beach Volleyball Tours:
- AVP -- www.avp.com
- EVP-- www.evptour.com
- MPVA -- www.mpva.com
- Corona Wide Open-- www.coronawideopen.com
Peace,
Sarah
One's Best Life Needs Challenges
I have been teaching 8th grade Reading and Writing for seven years. After lecturing my students about dreaming big and goal-setting, I realized that I was not modeling my own life lessons. Teaching was core of my life, and I needed balance to live my best life.
After some deep soul searching and tackling some confidence hurdles, I set my goal to become a pro beach volleyball player and created a plan to make it happen.
I had been introduced to the game the summer before by a great group of women and found myself battling the elements of wind, heat, and sand just to get through a set. It was the most grueling work out I had ever had, and, aside from the physical challenges, I faced many mental challenges. It's not easy to stick with something that can't be perfected - every play is different. I realized that I was scared of failure but loved trying to get better. Dreams and life goals have to have a little fear to have value, so I embraced that fear to chart a course to discover my potential. I don't know what that will look like, but I enjoy exploring the possibilities.
I hired a trainer who introduced me to the beach volleyball game and some other players; I met with a nutritionist who helped me re-aligned my diet to meet the needs of my workouts; I started yoga to help improve my core and balance, and I got my feet into the sand every day possible hoping they would feel more like feathers and less like cement.
In 2008, I played my first season to see if I could qualify to play pro, and with the help of some supportive partners, I won or came in the top four of every tournament I played. This meant I qualified to enter pro tournaments, but I would certainly be at the bottom of the brackets. There's a lot of self doubt with stepping into a new level, whether it's a sport or life. I had to learn to silence that voice -- still working on it.
This year, 2009, I found a steady partner and committed to a season filled with training and tournaments. We developed a plan to do drills two days and scrimmage one or two days each week to prepare for our Saturday tournaments. Half way through the season, we have had a lot of success, but we walk away from each tournament with new goals and keenly aware that we have a long way to go from the bottom of the bracket to the top. At this point, I know that I need patience and little more expertise to get me there. For starters, I am in my third month with a strength and conditioning coach at Health Track in Glen Ellyn. Love plyos in the pool.
Peace,
Sarah
After some deep soul searching and tackling some confidence hurdles, I set my goal to become a pro beach volleyball player and created a plan to make it happen.
I had been introduced to the game the summer before by a great group of women and found myself battling the elements of wind, heat, and sand just to get through a set. It was the most grueling work out I had ever had, and, aside from the physical challenges, I faced many mental challenges. It's not easy to stick with something that can't be perfected - every play is different. I realized that I was scared of failure but loved trying to get better. Dreams and life goals have to have a little fear to have value, so I embraced that fear to chart a course to discover my potential. I don't know what that will look like, but I enjoy exploring the possibilities.
I hired a trainer who introduced me to the beach volleyball game and some other players; I met with a nutritionist who helped me re-aligned my diet to meet the needs of my workouts; I started yoga to help improve my core and balance, and I got my feet into the sand every day possible hoping they would feel more like feathers and less like cement.
In 2008, I played my first season to see if I could qualify to play pro, and with the help of some supportive partners, I won or came in the top four of every tournament I played. This meant I qualified to enter pro tournaments, but I would certainly be at the bottom of the brackets. There's a lot of self doubt with stepping into a new level, whether it's a sport or life. I had to learn to silence that voice -- still working on it.
This year, 2009, I found a steady partner and committed to a season filled with training and tournaments. We developed a plan to do drills two days and scrimmage one or two days each week to prepare for our Saturday tournaments. Half way through the season, we have had a lot of success, but we walk away from each tournament with new goals and keenly aware that we have a long way to go from the bottom of the bracket to the top. At this point, I know that I need patience and little more expertise to get me there. For starters, I am in my third month with a strength and conditioning coach at Health Track in Glen Ellyn. Love plyos in the pool.
Peace,
Sarah
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