Owie! Is this what it's like to be a pro?

Ok, so I've always said "I want to train like a pro" - well, I had my first opportunity to that, and dang it - I'm "S"-"O"-"R"-to the "E" today! I can hardly move it seems like. Ok, so my fears of the gym were adequate, and here's the story of a "typical work out". (and I crap my pants thinking that it's "typical")

I moved to one of the AIK coach's houses on Saturday, so Saturday night was a nice night chilling with the coach, his girlfriend, and the couple I'm living with (and their twins), as well as another set of their friends. I got to do a real "Finnish Style Sauna" (Miska - the coach is from Finland), and just relax. That was great because then I was actually able to fall asleep at a normal time that night. I slept until about 7:30 AM on Sunday when I realized that it was a day I was afraid of - Training at the gym with the Swedish Bandy Players. I already knew they were strong --- but wow!

So, we head to this "Gym" - which I find out is a "Professional Athlete Training Facility". (Wow!) They had every type of training going on there - track and field (including pole vault and high jump!), wrestling, tae kwan do (sp?), floor ball (or "innebandy"), fencing, and who knows what else! We started out with running for about 20 minutes. And yes, I said "Running" for 20 minutes. I'm used to an 8:00/mile or 7:30/mile pace if I'm going to run for 20 minutes...I think we started out there, but ended at 7:00 or less/mile. Anyway - then it was onto the short sprints. We would lay down on our belly or back, or sit indian style or kneel, or whatever --- anyway - a series of these different starting positions was gone through. You are in starting position on the line, and someone claps so you can't see them doing it, you have to respond based on sound. You get up as fast as can be, then you sprint about 50 yards! Yeah, we did that for 45 minutes straight! Between each sprint, you got about 15 seconds rest. I am very happy to say that I did hang in there with most of them (there are a few girls on this team who are ripped and like Speedy Gonzales!)

After we did the sprints, my hammies were screaming at me, but we weren't done! Oh no - now it's onto the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash! we did the 100 meter dash 8 times and the 200 meter dash 6 times!

That was pure running for about 2 hours. Then lunch in the cafeteria. Many different things to have, including beer! yep! including beer! I thought that was odd....didn't see anyone taking any though.

Down to the weight room. I am SO weak! We did a series of back and leg exercises as well as some tricep and chest. Then, I actually amazed myself and did 10 pull ups with VERY little assistance! I was quite proud of that accomplishment! However...today (Monday), I'm a wee bit...er, a LOT sore! I can hardly walk!

Tonight, we are going to do "hill intervals" of running. I don't know if I am going to survive this first week! Once we are done with hill intervals, we are going to do some core work. That's "it" for tonight, then we have ice practice on Wednesday - oh, but before we do ice practice, we have "power" training. Meaning we are doing a series of jumps and hops for our legs and their power for an hour before we get on the ice for an hour and a half!

This weekend, we are off to Edsbyn, Sweden (NW of Stockholm) for a tournament. Crazy cool. There will be 12 teams - 1 Finland, 1 Norway, 2 Russia, and 8 Sweden. I heard that we might have some extra games after the tournament against Russia, but I'm not sure. Thank goodness we have 20 people on the team so we can sub in and out for games!

So, this is mentally challenging because I see all of the work that lies ahead of me physically, and mentally, I try to focus on work during the day (I mean real work for SJM!) I could see being a pro and being paid to train like this...yeah, I'd dig that, but really, wow! This is nuts! I'm loving it...never said I didn't like something that was physically challenging! It's a good pain I'm feeling now. I just hope that I can run up the hills tonight!

Here's to the hills you are climbing today mom - - - and the mountains you are having removed today. I'm thinking of you, saying my prayers, and counting our blessings!

Hej Da (said like "Hey Doh") for "Good Bye"
KP