jakegibb.com

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