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On a plane to Brazilia, Brazil.  We were bumped on our original flight that left Monday so now we get in about 12 hrs before we have to play.  Not ideal but we got upgraded so it could’ve been worse.  United has stepped up there business class seats by the way.  I could actually lay flat and you have your own cubicle so you’re not crushing down the person behind you.  I slept like 5.5 hrs which is huge for me.

 

I can’t believe the first two AVP tourneys have come and gone.  They were pretty bitter sweet.  Anytime you don’t win I think you feel like that.  It’s kind of brutal really because there are 31 teams each week that lose their last game and are leaving the beach bummed about it.  On the other hand I’m always stoked to make it to the final cause then you’re atleast giving yourself a chance to win.  And the incentives from sponsors for being on TV is always nice.  As I write this I wonder, why do I feel like I need to justify a 2nd place finish to myself???  Because losing sucks period and maybe I’ll look back and be happy about playing in finals, but right now I just want to win Opens period.  I guess that’s why…??

 

The off season was interesting.  I golfed on average about 100 holes per week thanks to my friend Bob at Goosecreek.  I got away from volleyball for several months and that was much needed.  Last year was a fun, exciting, but also a very stressful year.  With the Olympic qualification stress then the Olympic games pressure, I was definitely needing some time away from volleyball.  I know Sean certainly took some time off.  I mean I’ve heard of a kid blowing off some steam before but he took it to a whole new level.  I won’t go into details.

 

We finally started training on the beach in about mid February.  I’ve never taken that much time off, but I waited until I felt hungry again and that was huge.  Hungry to train, to workout each day, to compete, to play this phenomenal sport of beach volleyball.  I love going to the beach everyday to train.  I love my workouts with Zach everyday after practice.  I love the massage and stretching I go through to keep my body healthy,  I love getting home and feeling completely wiped but most of all,  I love playing the sport of beach volleyball for a living.  I love my life.

 

Jake

Maybe I shouldn’t feel so excited that the season is over, but I do.  It has just been a really long year.  Really, it’s been a long 2 years ever since the Olympic qualification started.  The qualification process was probably the hardest time.  I felt periods of anxiety.  I had no idea what that even was before I actually experienced it.  It’s a feel of uncomfort and stress that I don’t wish on anyone.  I occasionally felt this anxiety at nights and didn’t know how to handle it.  I started to meditate with the help of my sports pshycologist Peter.  I couldn’t believe how much it helped me.  It brought calm to me a nights and focus to my play on the court.  What a learning process it a has been for me.  Now I just want to take all that I learned and apply it to the next four years as I try for the London Olympics.

Let’s talk about my golf game.  I can’t hit the fairway with my driver right now for the life of me.  I shot 1 over for 36 holes last thurs and I probably hit about 25% of the fairways.  Good news for me is that I can scramble and still score well, but I have to figure something out soon before I lose it.  I tried swithching drivers and it got worse.  I played with the new driver and shot a 83 and my cousins country club.  I was pull hooking everything off the tee and I was short so it made for a brutal round.  I’m sure people are interested in my golf so I’ll tell you more.  Alright I’ll kill it, but you can see what’s been on my mind.  Golf season.  I love the stupid sport for some reason.  I’m playing 36 tomorrow with Jeff Alzina at Gooscreek.

I’ve been trying to just let my body heal from the year.  Yoga in the morning with my sister Christine, who teaches Vinyasa style Yoga has been a big help.  I never thought I’d be a Yoga guy but I can’t believe how good it feels.  Jane has been doing it as well and I can’t believe how strong and flexible she is getting. Fun to see. 

I’ll probably rest for another month and then start back with the gym in mid November.  I’ll play volley again maybe in January.  Atleast that’s the thought process right now.  I plan on playing some of the Hot Winter Nights events.  There is actually a stop in Salt Lake City so that should be fun.  Any chance I have to get home and see my old friends from Utah is all good with me. 

My brother Coleman has the cutest baby boy named Lawrence.  He keeps telling me n Jane that we should get pregnant so they have cousins to play with.  Not that that’s a reason to get pregnant, but Jane n I are thinking about it and that’s a weird feel in and of itself.  We always said we were waiting until after the Olympics to get prego and now that it’s here we’re not quite there for some reason.  I just don’t want Jane to be at home with the “kids” as I’m out travelling the world.  I just like having her travel with me if she wants.  It’s funny how we feel like we need to explain ourselves.?!  That’s Utah mentality I guess.

I can’t wait to golf tomorrow.  I’m a dork!