Nov. 25, 2005
Well, it's been another fun-filled week here on the Mizzou Gymnastics team. This week was an especially long week because of the anticipation of the Thanksgiving Holiday. It can often be difficult to keep your focus and motivation up during practice when you know just how close you are to going home. This is especially true for those of us that live so far away that we don't have the opportunity to go home until Thanksgiving, which is the case for me. I sure have missed my Florida beaches!!!
All that aside though, the team still found a way to keep it going, and I think that we looked very good this week. I have to admit, in the three seasons that I've been here already, I haven't felt like we have ever been as prepared as early as we are this year. We are all doing things more consistently and progressing MUCH earlier than usual, and it's awesome! I am personally doing things that I never really expected to be doing again, especially so late in my career. For instance, since I've been in college I haven't really done too much on floor or beam because they've been a struggle for me. Well, it just goes to show you never to give up on your weaknesses because you might just surprise yourself and make them into strengths. I've learned a series on beam, which I did not have when I came to college and I did my first full tumbling floor routine with all of my passes onto the floor since I've been in college... not bad for the end of a long week. And the best part is that I wasn't the only one doing great things in the gym. All of the assignments this week were tough, and everyone dug deep and persevered.
I think we might have had a little help from the running gods this week, as there were many sporting events occurring at the Hearnes Center which prevented us from doing our final team run of the season. It was a little let up that I think everyone appreciated, but we did do some conditioning with lots of sprinting instead which was sill difficult. So I must bid farewell to my Missouri running days... it was lots of fun while it lasted Kira!
We also did a few more exhibitions at some Elementary schools this week. I really enjoy doing them because the kids seem to really appreciate our efforts and its pretty neat. Many of them think that we are like the Hollywood celebrities and so it's very humbling to be around that kind of admiration. Plus, kids are absolutely hysterical, and so we always enjoy ourselves with them!
This next week will be a much-needed rest for our bodies and we will return to Columbia on Sunday to get a practice in before the week starts. We'll be back to prepare for our Black and Gold Intrasquad Meet before we know it, which by the way is on December 10th at 7:00. We are all hoping to you see you there because we have been working extra hard this year and we're ready to show it. So, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and have a fantastic holiday. Until next time, GO TIGERS!!!
See you at The Hearnes Center,
P.S. I forgot to tell you that our posters came out this week and they look amazing! You'll have to check them out, as I'm sure that they'll be out around Columbia pretty soon!