October update

After a deliciously large turkey dinner at Thanksgiving, we only had a couple of days to recover before having to perform the best we could at the National Team tryouts and physical testing. Along with ball control and skill testing, we had to hop hurdles, throw med balls, run an agility course and do the yo-yo test, among other tests.

All this went down at our Full-time Training Centre at Downsview Park.

Jamie and I then had a week at home to train for our upcoming tournament in Thailand, the last stop of the year on the world tour. We trained with the other Canadian team that would be traveling, Vee and Sophie, since everyone else had decided to start their break a little early.

Thailand is always one of my favourite stops on tour. Instead of being held in Phuket like the last couple of years, this FIVB took place in Bang Saen, a town just one hour outside of Bangkok.

Since the timing is kind of weird for this event (it's almost a month after the previous event) and especially because it's an Olympic year, a lot of the usual teams decided not to come to this tournament, and Jamie and I took advantage of this situation. We'd accumulated enough points this season that we were the top-ranked team in the qualifier. And because so few teams showed up, we got a bye into the Main Draw, which was pretty awesome. On qualification day, we went to cheer on Vee and Sophie. It was pouring rain on the day of their game, and unfortunately they could not pull out a win against Norway. 

A view of the venue

We played the next day, and the weather had cleared up by then so it was sunny and hot. Our first game in the Main Draw was against a team from the Netherlands. We took the match in 3 sets (19-21, 21-19, 15-12). It was really exciting to win such a tight game! We played a decent game, staying aggressive and attacking whenever we could, but there are definitely still things to work on. The win was so exciting because it meant we were guaranteed to at least match our best ever result at an FIVB. Such a great feeling!

Next we played Brazil, a familiar opponent, as we had just played them in Finland a few weeks ago. This time around we played much better, almost taking the first set, and probably catching them off-guard. We lost in 2 (20-22, 11-21) but felt like we had improved since our last match against them.

Finally, we played Vanuatu. This is a team that we have gotten to know through training sessions at many FIVB events throughout the year. I personally had a bad game that day, I'm not sure if it was the heat, fatigue or just an off-day for me. I was really disappointed with the loss (15-21, 15-21) because I know this is a team we are capable of beating, but I will just have to keep training hard and wait until our next match up to prove it! That loss took us out of the tournament with a 17th place finish, the same as in Finland and one that I am proud of, but believe we can continue to improve!

I was lucky enough to have my parents come to this tournament and cheer us on. It was their first time attending an FIVB and I think they had a pretty good time!

This bad boy was lent to my parents by the owner of their hotel. Yes, it has flames. And yes, it is called the Phantom.

After the tournament, my parents and I planned to travel to an island called Koh Samui together. We arrived in the morning, rented motorbikes (for a daily rate of $5 each!) and toured around in search of a place to stay for the night. I'd say we found a pretty awesome spot. I still can't get over how beautiful Thailand can be! 

$65/night goes a long way in Thailand! We had our own villa by the beach.

 Later that day, we swam in the ocean, hiked up a trail to check out a waterfall and started to head up a mountain to take in a sweet view of the island. Unfortunately, my mom had an accident and crashed her bike on the way up the mountain. The rest of the day was spent in 2 hospitals getting stitches and x-rays. Turns out she broke her humerus bone. She spent her first night on the island in the hospital, a huge bummer! However, armed with her recently purchased new iPad from a shopping day in Bangkok, she was a trooper and managed to return to the hotel in a cast and sling so she could enjoy the last couple days on the beach as intended.

After a few days on the island, my parents flew home and I stayed with my good friend Heather in Bangkok, just as I did last year. This was such a great way to end my trip. I got to do some Bangkok essentials before I left (you know... thai massage, mani, pedi, another massage, shopping, etc). I am so grateful to both Heather and her boyfriend Greg for letting me share their space! Thank you for being such wonderful hosts, it was such a treat to be able to spend time with you!

I have to say, I really didn't want to come home. When I arrived, the weather was cold and rainy and brutal! The one good thing about coming home though was that I got to hang out with my brother for a day. It was one of those rare times when we're both at home. He came to get me from the airport, and he next day I dropped him off there for his flight to Sweden. But in between we got to hang out and get caught up in each others' lives. Just as my beach season ends, his ski season picks up! The timing is pretty funny.

Now that I'm home, I've had a week to rest before training starts up again. Still feeling some of the effects of jet lag too. My roommate thinks I'm crazy, unable to keep my eyes open past 9pm and waking up at 6:30 every day. Oh well, I guess I'm a morning person now!