The Reason Why A Personal Trainer Carlsbad Encourages You To Play Sports

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Brandon Watkins</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Exercise is gradually becoming a daily part of several people's lives nowadays as they are slowly gaining a lot more interest in becoming fit and healthy. There are lots of forms of exercise, as any good personal trainer Carlsbad can tell you. Most people choose a certain number of forms that best suit their situation, need and schedule. One of the most commonly chosen ways to keep your body in shape is to play a sport.<br /> <br /> How Sports Could Help You<br /> <br /> Sports are among the best ways for a person to stay active. Not only do they keep your body moving, they also provide a variety of opportunities for you to improve yourself, with different ones depending on the particular sport. Among some of the most common reasons why people choose sports over workouts in the gym are:<br /> <br /> * The team sports teach people how to work effectively together and how to trust each other.<br /> <br /> * They are much more of a social activity than gym sessions can be as depending on the sport, any number of people can join in.<br /> <br /> * They can be done anywhere suitable, which means giving you the chance to breath in fresh air and have a good variety in scenery.<br /> <br /> * They generally need little equipment and require almost no payment to play.<br /> <br /> The Most Recommended Sports<br /> <br /> Your personal trainer Carlsbad is going to have a good list of sports that you'll be able to play. They'll have been chosen based on what you're shooting for, what your current fitness status is and how much free time you've got in your personal schedule. The sports that are most commonly played for their fitness benefits are:<br /> <br /> * Volleyball<br /> <br /> As a personal trainer Carlsbad will tell you, this sport can be done with either one or more people, making it both a good team sport and a solitary sport. It makes for a great way to improve your strength and gives your cardiorespiratory system a good workout.<br /> <br /> * Rowing<br /> <br /> As a personal trainer Carlsbad will tell you, this sport can be done with either one or more people, making it both a good team sport and a solitary sport. It makes for a great way to improve your strength and gives your cardiorespiratory system a good workout.<br /> <br /> * Swimming<br /> <br /> This sport has similar effects on your body as volleyball. However, it focuses more on your legs than your arms, and helps you increase your overall speed, while teaching you how to cooperate quickly with your teammates.<br /> <br /> * Soccer<br /> <br /> This sport has similar effects on your body as volleyball. However, it focuses more on your legs than your arms, and helps you increase your overall speed, while teaching you how to cooperate quickly with your teammates.<br /> <br /> Why Listen To A Personal Trainer Carlsbad<br /> <br /> A personal trainer Carlsbad has been trained well to know that each person is unique and will therefore need a personal way to become physically fit. This includes choosing the appropriate type of sports for you. Carlsbad is an area that is known for its love of exercise, and due to the many people there who are looking to be fit, there are many options in terms of working out.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Being in excellent condition with the help of <a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com/personal-trainer-carlsbad/">Personal Trainer Carlsbad</a> not just improves your entire body but also your health too. The advantages that one can obtain from <a href="https://plus.google.com/117219889004260885472/about">Carlsbad Personal Trainer</a> are countless.</div><br /> </div><br />

The Reason Why A Personal Trainer Carlsbad Encourages You To Play Sports

By Brandon Watkins Exercise is gradually becoming a daily part of several people's lives nowadays as they are slowly gaining a lot mor...

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The Reason Why A Personal Trainer Carlsbad Encourages You To Play Sports

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Brandon Watkins</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Exercise is gradually becoming a daily part of several people's lives nowadays as they are slowly gaining a lot more interest in becoming fit and healthy. There are lots of forms of exercise, as any good personal trainer Carlsbad can tell you. Most people choose a certain number of forms that best suit their situation, need and schedule. One of the most commonly chosen ways to keep your body in shape is to play a sport.<br /> <br /> How Sports Could Help You<br /> <br /> Sports are among the best ways for a person to stay active. Not only do they keep your body moving, they also provide a variety of opportunities for you to improve yourself, with different ones depending on the particular sport. Among some of the most common reasons why people choose sports over workouts in the gym are:<br /> <br /> * The team sports teach people how to work effectively together and how to trust each other.<br /> <br /> * They are much more of a social activity than gym sessions can be as depending on the sport, any number of people can join in.<br /> <br /> * They can be done anywhere suitable, which means giving you the chance to breath in fresh air and have a good variety in scenery.<br /> <br /> * They generally need little equipment and require almost no payment to play.<br /> <br /> The Most Recommended Sports<br /> <br /> Your personal trainer Carlsbad is going to have a good list of sports that you'll be able to play. They'll have been chosen based on what you're shooting for, what your current fitness status is and how much free time you've got in your personal schedule. The sports that are most commonly played for their fitness benefits are:<br /> <br /> * Volleyball<br /> <br /> As a personal trainer Carlsbad will tell you, this sport can be done with either one or more people, making it both a good team sport and a solitary sport. It makes for a great way to improve your strength and gives your cardiorespiratory system a good workout.<br /> <br /> * Rowing<br /> <br /> As a personal trainer Carlsbad will tell you, this sport can be done with either one or more people, making it both a good team sport and a solitary sport. It makes for a great way to improve your strength and gives your cardiorespiratory system a good workout.<br /> <br /> * Swimming<br /> <br /> This sport has similar effects on your body as volleyball. However, it focuses more on your legs than your arms, and helps you increase your overall speed, while teaching you how to cooperate quickly with your teammates.<br /> <br /> * Soccer<br /> <br /> This sport has similar effects on your body as volleyball. However, it focuses more on your legs than your arms, and helps you increase your overall speed, while teaching you how to cooperate quickly with your teammates.<br /> <br /> Why Listen To A Personal Trainer Carlsbad<br /> <br /> A personal trainer Carlsbad has been trained well to know that each person is unique and will therefore need a personal way to become physically fit. This includes choosing the appropriate type of sports for you. Carlsbad is an area that is known for its love of exercise, and due to the many people there who are looking to be fit, there are many options in terms of working out.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Being in excellent condition with the help of <a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com/personal-trainer-carlsbad/">Personal Trainer Carlsbad</a> not just improves your entire body but also your health too. The advantages that one can obtain from <a href="https://plus.google.com/117219889004260885472/about">Carlsbad Personal Trainer</a> are countless.</div><br /> </div><br />

The Reason Why A Personal Trainer Carlsbad Encourages You To Play Sports

By Brandon Watkins Exercise is gradually becoming a daily part of several people's lives nowadays as they are slowly gaining a lot m...

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Top Three Factors Why Playing Sports Could Help Complement The Program Of A Personal Trainer In Newport Beach

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Brandon Watkins</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>An exercise program should include cardiovascular exercises, weight-lifting workouts, and healthy diet. Each has its important functions to maintain a healthy mind and body. An excellent personal trainer in Newport Beach will tell you that cardio exercises increase your heart. They help lower your blood pressure, burn more calories, and make your heart and lungs get stronger.<br /> <br /> Weight-lifting exercises, on the other hand, firm up your muscles, strengthen your bones, and also help in weight loss, as more muscles equates more calories burned throughout the day.<br /> <br /> A personal trainer in Newport Beach is going to tell you that exercise alone wouldn't make you fit. You have to complement it with the proper diet and the right amount of calories to be consumed in a day.<br /> <br /> Exercising in Newport Beach<br /> <br /> Newport Beach is a lovely city with breathtaking view of the ocean. The weather is very suitable for outdoor sport activities. It's generally sunny but cool all throughout the year. To employ a personal trainer is quite effective in helping you be a better player in your chosen sport.<br /> <br /> Here are the top three reasons why playing sports can help complement the program of a personal trainer in Newport Beach:<br /> <br /> * Sport exercises improve mental functions.<br /> <br /> One of the top three reasons why playing sports can help complement the program of a personal trainer in Newport Beach is that sport activities increase the level of serotonin in a person's body. It is a chemical known to reduce the risk of depression. Regular exercise helps in the balance of the level of serotonin. If you become active in sports, not only do you get fitter, but you get to develop new friendships to make you a balanced person - socially and physically.<br /> <br /> * Sport exercises improve stamina.<br /> <br /> Stamina is defined as an ability to resist fatigue, challenges, and illness. Strenuous sport activities help build your stamina and become a stronger person.<br /> <br /> One of the top three reasons why playing sports can help complement the program of a personal trainer in Newport Beach is for improved stamina and endurance. Improved stamina can make you exercise more in the gym and this will make you stronger and have leaner muscles.<br /> <br /> Sport activities would increase your stamina for they involve a continuous and repetitive motion for a period of time. As you increase the level of your stamina through sports, you can last longer in a training program in a gym. You become fitter, stronger, and more vigorous.<br /> <br /> * Sports lower the risk of heart disease.<br /> <br /> Any type of a sport activity - be it running, surfing, or cycling - is a form of a cardiovascular exercise. It has many benefits like reducing the risk of heart disease when done on a regular basis. It also deters the onset or completely prevents diabetes.<br /> <br /> One of the top three reasons why playing sports can help complement the program of a personal trainer in Newport Beach is that sport activities increase the level of serotonin in a person's body. It is a chemical known to reduce the risk of depression. Regular exercise helps in the balance of the level of serotonin. If you become active in sports, not only do you get fitter, but you get to develop new friendships to make you a balanced person - socially and physically.<br /> <br /> Stated previously are the top 3 reasons why playing sports can help complement the program of a personal trainer in Newport Beach and train you to get stronger mentally and physically.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Getting in good shape with the aid of <a href="https://plus.google.com/116618666336536176190/about">great site</a> not just boosts your physique but also your health too. The benefits that you can obtain from <a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com/personal-trainer-newport-beach/">front page</a> are countless.</div><br /> </div><br />

Top Three Factors Why Playing Sports Could Help Complement The Program Of A Personal Trainer In Newport Beach

By Brandon Watkins An exercise program should include cardiovascular exercises, weight-lifting workouts, and healthy diet. Each has its ...

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Top Three Factors Why Playing Sports Could Help Complement The Program Of A Personal Trainer In Newport Beach

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Brandon Watkins</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>An exercise program should include cardiovascular exercises, weight-lifting workouts, and healthy diet. Each has its important functions to maintain a healthy mind and body. An excellent personal trainer in Newport Beach will tell you that cardio exercises increase your heart. They help lower your blood pressure, burn more calories, and make your heart and lungs get stronger.<br /> <br /> Weight-lifting exercises, on the other hand, firm up your muscles, strengthen your bones, and also help in weight loss, as more muscles equates more calories burned throughout the day.<br /> <br /> A personal trainer in Newport Beach is going to tell you that exercise alone wouldn't make you fit. You have to complement it with the proper diet and the right amount of calories to be consumed in a day.<br /> <br /> Exercising in Newport Beach<br /> <br /> Newport Beach is a lovely city with breathtaking view of the ocean. The weather is very suitable for outdoor sport activities. It's generally sunny but cool all throughout the year. To employ a personal trainer is quite effective in helping you be a better player in your chosen sport.<br /> <br /> Here are the top three reasons why playing sports can help complement the program of a personal trainer in Newport Beach:<br /> <br /> * Sport exercises improve mental functions.<br /> <br /> One of the top three reasons why playing sports can help complement the program of a personal trainer in Newport Beach is that sport activities increase the level of serotonin in a person's body. It is a chemical known to reduce the risk of depression. Regular exercise helps in the balance of the level of serotonin. If you become active in sports, not only do you get fitter, but you get to develop new friendships to make you a balanced person - socially and physically.<br /> <br /> * Sport exercises improve stamina.<br /> <br /> Stamina is defined as an ability to resist fatigue, challenges, and illness. Strenuous sport activities help build your stamina and become a stronger person.<br /> <br /> One of the top three reasons why playing sports can help complement the program of a personal trainer in Newport Beach is for improved stamina and endurance. Improved stamina can make you exercise more in the gym and this will make you stronger and have leaner muscles.<br /> <br /> Sport activities would increase your stamina for they involve a continuous and repetitive motion for a period of time. As you increase the level of your stamina through sports, you can last longer in a training program in a gym. You become fitter, stronger, and more vigorous.<br /> <br /> * Sports lower the risk of heart disease.<br /> <br /> Any type of a sport activity - be it running, surfing, or cycling - is a form of a cardiovascular exercise. It has many benefits like reducing the risk of heart disease when done on a regular basis. It also deters the onset or completely prevents diabetes.<br /> <br /> One of the top three reasons why playing sports can help complement the program of a personal trainer in Newport Beach is that sport activities increase the level of serotonin in a person's body. It is a chemical known to reduce the risk of depression. Regular exercise helps in the balance of the level of serotonin. If you become active in sports, not only do you get fitter, but you get to develop new friendships to make you a balanced person - socially and physically.<br /> <br /> Stated previously are the top 3 reasons why playing sports can help complement the program of a personal trainer in Newport Beach and train you to get stronger mentally and physically.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Getting in good shape with the aid of <a href="https://plus.google.com/116618666336536176190/about">great site</a> not just boosts your physique but also your health too. The benefits that you can obtain from <a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com/personal-trainer-newport-beach/">front page</a> are countless.</div><br /> </div><br />

Top Three Factors Why Playing Sports Could Help Complement The Program Of A Personal Trainer In Newport Beach

By Brandon Watkins An exercise program should include cardiovascular exercises, weight-lifting workouts, and healthy diet. Each has its im...

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My New Favorite Sport

In my personal opinion, a sport is something that gets you moving and makes you sweat. Dancing? That is a sport. Sitting on the couch? Not a sport. Cheerleading? Yes - I believe that is a sport. Playing an instrument? Well, it depends. If you're in a chair in an orchestra hall, no, that is not a sport.<br /><br />What I saw last night involving instruments definitely would be included as a sport in my book. Last night my friend took my to my first Drum Corp competition. And wow! I think I'll be going to more of those shows!<br /><br />Drum corps are a summer sport involving teens and college students, roughly ages 13-22 (they "age out" if they are 21 that summer). The "drum AND bugle corps" consist of brass, percussion, and color guard. But if I were to say that was it, I would be missing out on the majority of the corp. There is brass of all shapes and sizes - trumpets, euphoniums, tubas, baritones, and probably more. The percussion section is huge, too. Not only do they have the marching drums - snare drums, quads, and cymbals - but they have a "front percussion" with electronic instruments and a variety of orchestral instruments like vibes and marimbas and other smaller percussion (my area of "expertise"!). Finally, the color guard has various types of dancing, but they also have to learn flag spinning, and working with/throwing in the air and catching mock rifles and sabers.<br /><br />When you put all these elements together, it's hard to watch. Hard, in fact, because so much AWESOME stuff is going on and your eyes can't keep track of it all! First the color guard is dancing crazily, and then the front percussion is going nuts with their mallets, then the brass suddenly breaks out into a giant chord of amazing, and then the flags appear, then this guy throws a mock rifle 20 feet into the air and catches it <b>on the beat!</b> How do they do that?<br /><br />Most of these performers are full-time high school and college students who join a drum corp in their area and train like crazy for days on end. They compete against other corps in competitions like I was able to see in Whitewater, Wisconsin last night. It was the Whitewater Classic, brought to you by the local drum corp, the Madison Scouts (who, ironically weren't there last night - they are on tour on the East Coast right now). But the eight participating corps were wonderful to watch - especially the last two: the Blue Stars (from LaCrosse) and the Cavaliers (from Rosemont, IL).<br /><br />For the inexperienced viewer, you could say that watching a Drum Corp competition is basically watching a three-hour halftime show. But once you start getting into it, you realize that there's so much more to it. Firstly, everything gets judged. The Cavaliers won last night's competition with a score of 81 out of 100 possible points. I don't know the exact judging requirements, but I'm guessing it gets pretty crazy trying to keep track of formations and saber throwing drops.<br /><br />Secondly, the drum corps don't have any woodwinds (clarinets and flutes). It really allows for the brass to really shine. (Sorry, clarinet and flute players.)<br /><br />Thirdly, this isn't a retro trip to the best of the Beatles that you're watching. This is artistry! Some of the pieces picked ("Nature Boy" by Eden Ahbez, or "Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op 47" by Shostakovich) wouldn't be found in a football halftime show. And the color guard has to help the drum and bugle sections convey the storyline of the songs, through costumes and acting.<br /><br />I haven't mentioned the uniforms yet! Those were some of the coolest band uniforms I'll probably ever see. Some look like standard marching band uniforms, but the Troopers' (from Casper, Wyoming) uniforms are actually modeled after the Union Army's 11th Ohio Cavalry during the Civil War. Plus the Drum Major (who directs the whole show - and also is in the age range of the other performers, which is awesome) of the Troopers has a sword strapped to his belt! I am a conductor too - can I get a sword?<br /><br />I really got a kick out of watching this competition, and I look forward to seeing more. I'm a little sad that I didn't hear about this until I was in college, and one of my close friends alerted me to it. But now I can anticipate each summer with thoughts of seeing another Drum Corp show.<br /><br />(By the way the World Championships are going to be a movie theater near you on Thursday, August 11. Plus there are a ton of Drum Corp shows before then. You can go to dci.org to find out more! Please do - you won't regret it!)

My New Favorite Sport

In my personal opinion, a sport is something that gets you moving and makes you sweat. Dancing? That is a sport. Sitting on the couch? Not a...

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Getting A Great Sports Personal Trainer San Jose

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Dee C. Williams</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Getting a personal trainer San Jose isn't that hard. The web is full of details about various personal trainers, training centers and gyms that provide personal training. But because there are a lot of personal trainers from the city, you should make sure that you are employing the best one for you.<br /> <br /> Because not all personal trainers offer the same kind of training and don't have a similar expertise as someone else does, you have to make sure that you are hiring the one that can present you with the correct training that you need so that you can achieve your primary goal in an safe and effective way.<br /> <br /> Finding the Right Sports Personal Trainer<br /> <br /> Below are great tips regarding how to find the best personal trainer San Jose that will best suit your requirements and your goals.<br /> <br /> * Right Kind of Certifications<br /> <br /> When hiring the best sports trainer, you need to think about the certifications that the preferred personal fitness trainer has. Because this will indicate the line of expertise that your trainer specializes in, you will be able to find out whether your chosen personal fitness trainer fits your needs.<br /> <br /> A few of the certifications that you would like your chosen personal fitness trainer to have are certification from the American Council on Exercise or ACE and National Academy of Sports Medicine or NASM. This will make sure that your preferred personal trainer San Jose has truly undergone training and seminars that are specifically built for sports trainers.<br /> <br /> * Can Customize Workout Programs for you<br /> <br /> You should also take note of the approach of the personal fitness trainer that you would like to employ to the trainings that she or he gives to their clients. Customized trainings and workout programs should not be out of the question for any sports fitness trainer. Because customized workout and diet programs are some of the most important things about personal training, your chosen personal fitness trainer should be able to provide it for you.<br /> <br /> Knowing how to produce a customized workout and diet plan will even enable you to determine whether your personal trainer San Jose is very knowledgeable in his type of work.<br /> <br /> * Should Have a Background in Sports<br /> <br /> Your selected personal trainer should also be quite familiar with sports and should have played the type of sport that she or he focuses on. This can make sure that he or she knows what he is doing and knows the sport well. After all, nobody wants to become trained by someone who's bad in the sport.<br /> <br /> It is ideal to select a personal trainer who plays or have played the sport that you want to improve on to ensure that they might provide you with insights, techniques and strategies which you can use to enhance your game play. Having an experienced personal fitness trainer on your chosen sport will also allow you to have a common passion with your trainer, which will make your professional relationship better and make your trainings easier and much more enjoyable for the two of you.<br /> <br /> Fitness instructors shouldn't only learn things from academies as well as training centers. They should also have desire for the sport that they're teaching their customers so that they can efficiently implement the techniques and the knowledge that they have learned and developed to increase the service quality that they provide for their customers.<br /> <br /> So, when selecting a sports personal trainer San Jose, make sure that you are going for someone who is not only knowledgeable but can also be enthusiastic about your selected sport and also the things that are based on the game that you want to improve on.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Getting in great shape with the help of <a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com/personal-trainer-san-jose/">blog url</a> not only enhances your own entire body but also your health as well. The benefits that you can obtain from <a href="https://plus.google.com/106004061680121716759/about?gl=US&hl=en-US">visit the site</a> are countless.</div><br /> </div><br />

Getting A Great Sports Personal Trainer San Jose

By Dee C. Williams Getting a personal trainer San Jose isn't that hard. The web is full of details about various personal trainers, ...

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Getting A Great Sports Personal Trainer San Jose

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Dee C. Williams</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Getting a personal trainer San Jose isn't that hard. The web is full of details about various personal trainers, training centers and gyms that provide personal training. But because there are a lot of personal trainers from the city, you should make sure that you are employing the best one for you.<br /> <br /> Because not all personal trainers offer the same kind of training and don't have a similar expertise as someone else does, you have to make sure that you are hiring the one that can present you with the correct training that you need so that you can achieve your primary goal in an safe and effective way.<br /> <br /> Finding the Right Sports Personal Trainer<br /> <br /> Below are great tips regarding how to find the best personal trainer San Jose that will best suit your requirements and your goals.<br /> <br /> * Right Kind of Certifications<br /> <br /> When hiring the best sports trainer, you need to think about the certifications that the preferred personal fitness trainer has. Because this will indicate the line of expertise that your trainer specializes in, you will be able to find out whether your chosen personal fitness trainer fits your needs.<br /> <br /> A few of the certifications that you would like your chosen personal fitness trainer to have are certification from the American Council on Exercise or ACE and National Academy of Sports Medicine or NASM. This will make sure that your preferred personal trainer San Jose has truly undergone training and seminars that are specifically built for sports trainers.<br /> <br /> * Can Customize Workout Programs for you<br /> <br /> You should also take note of the approach of the personal fitness trainer that you would like to employ to the trainings that she or he gives to their clients. Customized trainings and workout programs should not be out of the question for any sports fitness trainer. Because customized workout and diet programs are some of the most important things about personal training, your chosen personal fitness trainer should be able to provide it for you.<br /> <br /> Knowing how to produce a customized workout and diet plan will even enable you to determine whether your personal trainer San Jose is very knowledgeable in his type of work.<br /> <br /> * Should Have a Background in Sports<br /> <br /> Your selected personal trainer should also be quite familiar with sports and should have played the type of sport that she or he focuses on. This can make sure that he or she knows what he is doing and knows the sport well. After all, nobody wants to become trained by someone who's bad in the sport.<br /> <br /> It is ideal to select a personal trainer who plays or have played the sport that you want to improve on to ensure that they might provide you with insights, techniques and strategies which you can use to enhance your game play. Having an experienced personal fitness trainer on your chosen sport will also allow you to have a common passion with your trainer, which will make your professional relationship better and make your trainings easier and much more enjoyable for the two of you.<br /> <br /> Fitness instructors shouldn't only learn things from academies as well as training centers. They should also have desire for the sport that they're teaching their customers so that they can efficiently implement the techniques and the knowledge that they have learned and developed to increase the service quality that they provide for their customers.<br /> <br /> So, when selecting a sports personal trainer San Jose, make sure that you are going for someone who is not only knowledgeable but can also be enthusiastic about your selected sport and also the things that are based on the game that you want to improve on.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Getting in great shape with the help of <a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com/personal-trainer-san-jose/">blog url</a> not only enhances your own entire body but also your health as well. The benefits that you can obtain from <a href="https://plus.google.com/106004061680121716759/about?gl=US&hl=en-US">visit the site</a> are countless.</div><br /> </div><br />

Getting A Great Sports Personal Trainer San Jose

By Dee C. Williams Getting a personal trainer San Jose isn't that hard. The web is full of details about various personal trainers, tr...

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Olympic hopeful’s dreams revived in different sport [ BeritaTerkini ]

<p>On a seemingly innocuous day in May 2010, Ashley Cooney was daydreaming about gymnastics. This was not unusual for the then 14-year-old, who had devoted most of her life to the rigorous sport.</p> <p>Cooney's aspirations revolved around gymnastics and a gruelling 34-hours-a-week training schedule was testament to her dedication. She had been part of the prestigious WA Institute of Sport for eight years and had already won a batch of coveted national junior medals. Her precocious talents in the vault and uneven bars had her destined for Olympic glory in London. </p> <p>"I was a very hyperactive toddler always climbing on furniture and jumping off things," Cooney says. "At the age of four, Mum enrolled me in gymnastics and I loved it. My skill progression increased rapidly and I was mastering skills."</p> <p>Predictably, Cooney's thoughts were focused on her passion while she was a passenger in a car driven by her dad through the Perth suburbs during that day in May. The mundane unexpectedly ceased in devastating circumstances. The Cooney's family vehicle was T-boned by a car running a give way sign. Their car rolled before hitting a kerb and resting the right way up.</p> <p>To compound the situation, Cooney suffered a full-blown asthma attack and had to be cut out of the car when emergency services arrived at the scene. Struggling to breathe and suffering excruciating pain, Cooney's hopes and dreams flashed before her eyes. Despite being in a state of shock, Cooney processed the gravity of the situation. She knew her life would never be the same again.</p> <p>"Whilst struggling to breathe I was able to recollect what had just happened," Cooney remembers. "By looking at the state of the car and my injuries I knew I was in trouble and so was my career." A fractured collarbone restricted her upper-body movement and strength – requisites for success in uneven bars.</p> <p>Cooney survived the accident but a part of her never did. Ashley Cooney the gymnast was gone forever. Representing Australia as an Olympic gymnast was not her destiny. It was a bitter realisation for the teenager.</p> <p>"Everything came crashing down, with nine years of training and an Olympic team taken from me in a flash," she says. "When I retired from gymnastics, I was lost for a very long time. It was a big part of my life and identity. "</p> <p>Desperately trying to shake off her stupor, she pursued other sports. Unfortunately, she could not find a sport that replicated the sheer joy she experienced as a gymnast. Fortunately, life has a habit of conjuring silver linings for those persisting.</p> <p>One day, Cooney was introduced into Winter Olympic sports by a talent scout visiting WAIS. Immediately, Cooney was intrigued. Sure, it seemed wacky considering she had never even seen snow. But Cooney had always enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics on television and her innate audacity plunged her into the unknown.</p> <p>Cooney gravitated towards the luge, where athletes rocket down a chute, feet-first, on a sled. It is the fastest sport on ice, where speeds average in excess of 120 km/h. Her agility and strength developed through gymnastics was a natural fit for her newfound sport.</p> <img alt="Ashley Cooney " class="gu-image" height="276" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/11/7/1383788826972/34aa9b38-6e43-40bc-ab0a-fa45440ead90-460x276.jpeg" width="460"><br><br>Ashley Cooney flies down the track. Photograph: Tristan Lavalette/Guardian<p>"There are no brakes," she explains. "Athletes rely on their reflexes for steering, unlike bobsled, and they have no protection should they make an error."</p> <p>Under the guidance of Australia's dual-Olympian and current national luge coach Hannah Campbell-Pegg, Cooney has enjoyed a meteoric rise. She quickly made the Australian luge team and after her first race 12 months ago, Cooney is now on the verge of Winter Olympics qualification, ranking inside the required top 27.</p> <p>The 18-year-old is currently training in Norway in a bid to realise her new dream. At year's end, Cooney will know whether she will be journeying to the sleepy Soviet-era town of Sochi for February's Winter Olympics.</p> <p>While yearning to make the trip to Russia, she is not burdening herself with expectations that often suffocate athletes. Cooney is not obsessed solely with results because she knows luge has been catharsis.</p> <p>Competing in luge is helping wash away past sorrows. "I fell in love with the sport of luge," she says. "I will never forget my first run and the adrenaline pumping through me. I had that desire and determination back to follow my dreams.</p> <p>"It was the second chance I never thought I'd have and I'm giving it my all." Cooney knows second chances are rare. She is relishing redemption. </p> <img alt="Ashley Cooney " class="gu-image" height="420" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/11/7/1383788629045/6bef114d-784e-401d-aab6-2fd651095ce7-407x420.jpeg" width="407"><br><br>Ashley Cooney of Australia. Photograph: Tristan Lavalette/Guardian jQuery(".gmframe").load(function (){jQuery(this).remove();});<br><br>

Olympic hopeful’s dreams revived in different sport [ BeritaTerkini ]

On a seemingly innocuous day in May 2010, Ashley Cooney was daydreaming about gymnastics. This was not unusual for the then 14-year-old, who...

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Educate, Don't Condemnate

The Kansas City Chiefs fans are getting a lot of flack today for how they reacted to their own quarterback's injury. When Matt Cassel went down with a possible head injury, the KC fans cheered the injury instead of showing the normal respect shown to a player on either the home <i>or</i> visiting side.<br /><br />These may have been the same Kansas City fans who, earlier in the week, came out in droves to cheer on Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera as he accomplished the Triple Crown. What makes the two of them different?<br /><br />I believe that it all depends on how you teach. People were keenly aware of the magnitude of Cabrera's accomplishment - and instead of booing an opposing player, they cheered the accomplishment.<br /><br />On the other hand, Chiefs fans were expressing frustration in a way that may have been inappropriate - especially if Cassel's injury had been worse. But they didn't <i>know</i> how bad the injury was. And maybe - unfortunately - it was because these fans hadn't been educated over how to act when a player goes down with a serious injury.<br /><br />When you take your children to a game (from any sport) do you set a good example? Do you show your support to players with big accomplishments? Or do you boo mercilessly even if it's your player? Have you taught them how to act when they are playing their pee-wee sport? Have you taken some time this morning, while watching the KC slamming on <i>Sportscenter</i>, to talk to your kids or coworkers over how they should have reacted?<br /><br />I've heard people say that they have "the right" because of how much their tickets cost, or how much time they've invested in the team. And I kind of think that's stupid. Let's keep our sane heads and not put us up on a pedestal because we made a choice to pay money to watch a bunch of men play a sport. If you're going to pay the money, the least you can do is show you deserve to be there, cheering your players and the sport. <i>Earn</i> the chance to watch and cheer. <i>Educate</i> those around you the proper way to watch and cheer. Let's bring back some civility to watching and cheering the sport that you love.<br /><br /><br />

Educate, Don't Condemnate

The Kansas City Chiefs fans are getting a lot of flack today for how they reacted to their own quarterback's injury. When Matt Cassel we...

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Tinkov warns UCI he is ready for war

Tinkoff-Saxo's team owner Oleg Tinkov warned the International Cycling Union (UCI) not to make him their enemy.<br /> <a href="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/cycling/2014/8/8/592631header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.images.core.optasports.com/news/cycling/2014/8/8/592631header.jpg" /></a><br /> Tinkov is unhappy with how the UCI have dealt with their case against Tinkoff-Saxo rider Roman Kreuziger, who allegedly has anomalies in his biological passport, while he believes cycling's international governing body are "the main obstacle" to improving the sport.<br /> <br /> The Russian businessman has been vocal in his criticism of the way pro cycling is run since he bought Tinkoff-Saxo late last year, while he has reportedly been part of the secretive Project Avignon organisation that is investigating how to improve the UCI WorldTour.<br /> <br /> In an interview with Cyclingnews, Tinkov warned the UCI that if they try to silence him, he is willing to start a war to protect his interests.<br /> <br /> "Some people think the UCI will go against us now and perhaps not give us a [WorldTour] licence as they did with Katusha. But I'm not looking to start a war, I'm just trying to change cycling, to make it better," he said.<br /> <br /> "I'm the one paying the bills and I'm the one with a heart for this sport and just want to make it more valuable and better.<br /> <br /> "But if I start the war there will be no hostages. They should understand that. I'm not starting a war yet but if they want one, then they will cry.<br /> <br /> "Of course, if they're ready to sit down and discuss things in a normal way then we should do that. If they're looking for a war then I'm ready, no problem. Then they will push me to become the Bernie Ecclestone of cycling and create my own league.<br /> <br /> "I have a sponsor behind me and I have investors behind me. If we - the team owners - make an agreement with ASO [the Amaury Sport Organisation - that runs the Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana and other elite cycling races], why do we need the UCI?"<br /> <br /> Tinkov added he is planning legal action against the UCI for their provisional suspension against Kreuziger.<br /> <br /> Tinkoff-Saxo left Kreuziger out of the Tour de France due to perceived anomalies in his biological passport, which is a record of a cyclist's biological markers used to combat doping.<br /> <br /> Kreuziger was then named in Tinkoff-Saxo's Tour de Pologne squad but the UCI stepped in, suspending the 28-year-old until his case is heard.<br /> <br /> Tinkov feels that is unfair.<br /> <br /> "My idea now is to ask them for compensation. I want them to face their commercial responsibilities," the 46-year-old said.<br /> <br /> "Maybe I'll take action in a London court not in a sporting court. They're managing big business sport and so they have to be responsible for what they're doing.<br /> <br /> "I've basically lost a lot of money because of their stupid procedures. They need clarify the rules for the biological passport. Some people, some experts say there are anomalies. Others say there aren't but who is going to prove what is the truth and when? And how long is all going to take?"<br /> <br /> Tinkov claimed he originally thought the ASO were holding pro cycling back but now blames the UCI, claiming they are restricting his ability to profit from the sport.<br /> <br /> "The UCI doesn't care about the money. They're a bunch of bureaucrats," he said.<br /> <br /> "They've tried to establish the rules but can't even do that. They don't understand about business and money and are making a real mess at the moment."

news news sports Tinkov UCI Tinkov warns UCI he is ready for war

Tinkoff-Saxo's team owner Oleg Tinkov warned the International Cycling Union (UCI) not to make him their enemy. Tinkov is unhappy with...

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The Return of the Olympic Blurb!

<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was asked a couple of weeks ago, “Which do you prefer, the Winter or Summer Olympics?” At first I just responded with “Both!” </span></div><span style="color: white;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1237d906-e3a8-c8df-506c-7a5d8bc9219c" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately, the guy wasn’t satisfied with that answer. He pressed more. “No, really. You have to pick one.”</span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I thought that was silly. Choose between the Olympics? Aren’t they the SAME? Or at least like two children? How dare he make me choose between my children! You just don’t do that. At least, not to me. </span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I finally muttered out “Summer,” simply because he wanted an answer. But it did make me consider why I love both Olympic events equally. </span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. They each have their signature events.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I say “Summer Olympics,” there are a variety of events that automatically flash across the brain: swimming, running, gymnastics. These events are highlights, and usually bring the biggest spotlight on the nights they are featured. </span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, the same goes for the phrase “Winter Olympics.” There are also several signature events that flash across the brain when that is heard: figure skating, speed skating, skiing. Lately, snowboarding has also become a very prominent sport (almost more than skiing, in my opinion). </span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s not like it’s hard to think of significant Winter Olympic events. As a matter of fact, it might actually be </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">easier</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to think of Winter events, since the Summer Olympics cover a much wider spectrum of sports. (Archery? Really?)</span></span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. They have crossover appeal.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like gymnastics? Meet its snotty little sister, figure skating!</span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enjoy track and running events? Well, ask Usain Bolt to try that...on speed skates! </span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prefer the great USA-dominated team sport of basketball? Here is the great team sport of hockey, dominated by...Canada? Well, we’re trying. (We put in NHL players to help!)</span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hate all sports? Then snowboarding must be for you!</span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. They make you guilty.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m pretty sure you’ve given the excuse of “It’s too hot!” or “It’s too snowy and cold!” to avoid working out. Well, these athletes endure the elements </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> do fancy footwork </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> look amazing doing it. </span></span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what are </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> waiting for, you lazy bum?</span></span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. The whole world is captivated, no matter what the national media might tell you.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It happens EVERY YEAR. We spend the four weeks leading up to the Olympics hearing about how terrible they’re going to be, how the host city spent way too much money, how no one is going to watch, blablablah. </span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then we get two weeks of pure, (mostly) unadulterated joy. Incredible performances go viral. Unknowns become household names. We yell at our TVs to “Stick the landing!” Grown men cry. And the national media forgets what it said four weeks earlier and spends a lot of time talking about everyone is watching it. </span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every. Year.</span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. It’s a great break from the monotony.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With winter comes bowls. With spring comes basketball and hockey playoffs. With summer comes lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of baseball. With fall comes football and baseball playoffs. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Throw in some golf tournaments and tennis matches and sports can get a bit lethargic. </span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks to the Olympics, every two years we can spend some time watching something completely different. Skiing becomes the event to see if anyone crashes. Biathlon makes you wonder how anyone would have thought to combine cross-country skiing and shooting into ONE event. You spend way too much time rooting </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">against</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the Chinese in table tennis and badminton and diving, just to see a different country on the podium for once. </span></span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Olympics are that breath of fresh air that sports so desperately needs every now and then. </span></div><span style="color: white;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6. The music is the same!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Never fails: I hear that theme, and I smile. And I get really, really excited to get back to the Blurb with all you fine people!</span></div><span style="color: white;"><br /></span><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coming up: I will introduce you to the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">second</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> snowboarding event, talk about how I may actually prefer Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski’s figure skating commentary over Scott Hamilton and Sandra Bezic’s, give thanks that Lindsay Vonn isn’t competing, mourn that Apolo Ohno isn’t either, and try to figure out a good sleep schedule that will allow me to still competently work during the day and watch the moguls’ final live on the Internet at 3:00 a.m.</span></span>

The Return of the Olympic Blurb!

I was asked a couple of weeks ago, “Which do you prefer, the Winter or Summer Olympics?” At first I just responded with “Both!” Unfortunatel...

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2013 Nathans Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Needs Kobayashi and Chestnut

<div class="MsoNormal">I know what you’re thinking:  Who cares about a hot dog eating competition?  Well on the Fourth of July, a small portion of the country will tune in to watch the <a href="http://www.nathansfamous.com/index.php/hot-dog-eating-contest">Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest</a>, which means a lot of folks care about the, err, sport.  However, this year the field will lack one of the competition’s most notable names, Takeru Kobayashi.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">According to The Post Game, Kobayashi is <a href="http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/chompions/201307/nathans-hot-dog-contest-goes-without-kobayashi">refusing to sign</a>with <a href="http://www.ifoce.com/index.php">Major League Eating</a>, the organization that runs the 4^th of July spectacular, because he is balking at a clause that gives the organization a portion of the competitors’ endorsement deals.  Sounds interesting huh?  Imagine Lebron James giving a cut of his Nike money to the NBA.  Of course, it’s not like Major League Eating has nearly a percentage of the revenues that the NBA does, so it is a necessary evil.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The competition is a bit tarnished, because again Joey Chestnut, an eating legend in his own right, is expected to runaway with the 2013 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Contest crown.  For soccer aficionados, it is a bit like Manchester United taking on a US college team, because Chestnut is just simply that good.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Major League Eating and Kobayashi would be better off settling their differences and giving a little ground, because the sport does not get a whole lot of exposure as it is.  I mean how many kids do you know who want to grow up to be the champion of the <a href="http://www.ifoce.com/contests.php">The World Slugburger Eating Championship</a> presented by Main Street Corinth? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Basically, both parties are better off with each other than without, and if there was ever a time to give a little ground this is the time.  Just like many Olympic Events, this is a sport that millions of Americans care about once in a blue moon, and you want to have your best competitors in the field when ESPN2 is broadcasting the festivities.<o:p></o:p></div>

joey chestnut nathans famous hotdog eating championship takeru kobayashi 2013 Nathans Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Needs Kobayashi and Chestnut

I know what you’re thinking:  Who cares about a hot dog eating competition?  Well on the Fourth of July, a small portion of the country will...

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Like Tim Hardaway, Chris Culliver may learn error of his words

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img alt="Chris Culliver of the San Francico 49ers" src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/dam/assets/130131162819-chris-culliver-single-image-cut.jpg" /><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">A day after saying he wouldn't want to play with gay teammates, Niners CB Chris Culliver apologized.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />From: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com</span><br /><div style="padding: 0px;">NEW ORLEANS -- I've always felt that if you want to form an intelligent political opinion, you should wait to hear what a backup cornerback who happens to be playing in the Super Bowl has to say. This week, 49ers backup cornerback Chris Culliver came through for all of us, big-time.</div><div style="padding: 0px;">Culliver said he would not care to share the gridiron with any homosexual gentlemen, but thanks so much for the offer. I'm paraphrasing there. His actual words, in an interview with comedian Artie Lange, were: "I don't do the gay guys, man. I don't do that. Ain't got no gay people on the team. They gotta get up outta here if they do. Can't be with that sweet stuff."</div><div style="padding: 0px;">Guess what, Chris: I think you would do the gays, man. I think if you had to be with that sweet stuff, you'd deal with it.</div><div style="padding: 0px;">I think we are really close to breaking the homosexual barrier in major American team sports. The Jackie Robinson of gay male athletes is alive, out there, possibly playing pro sports already, and hopefully reading this:</div><div style="padding: 0px;">"If people on teams were to come out, people would get over it and accept it and move forward. I really do think that. Any sport. If one person or two people, whoever, comes out in any sport, that sport will accept it and go from there."</div><div style="padding: 0px;">Do you know who told me that Thursday? Former NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway. Just six years ago, Hardaway was Chris Culliver. In February 2007, he told Miami Herald columnist Dan LeBatard, "I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."</div><div style="padding: 0px;">On Thursday, Hardaway told me, "What I found out is that everybody should be treated equally no matter what. I do feel that way." And Hardaway thinks if a pro athlete announces he is gay, the story will pass quickly.</div><div style="padding: 0px;">When Hardaway made his comments six years ago, he hadn't given it much thought. He hadn't tried to build relationships with homosexuals or understand them. He took for granted that his views were normal.</div><div style="padding: 0px;">He quickly realized that they were not, and to his credit, he changed his mind.</div><div style="padding: 0px;">The country has changed. The culture has changed. After Culliver made his comments, many in the sports media decided to thoughtfully conduct a Gay Pride parade through Culliver's skull, forcing him to backtrack and say his words were "ugly," and he loves gay people, but wait, not like that, and well, um, uh, never mind, and hey, everybody, do you think Ray Lewis killed those two guys or not?</div><div style="padding: 0px;">I don't know if he changed his mind in a day. But like Hardaway, he can change his opinion over time. Hate is usually borne of ignorance, and on the subject of homosexuality, ignorance fades a little every day.</div><div style="padding: 0px;">Chris Culliver might not like gay people. But I bet he likes playing in the NFL. And if his team employed a gay player, he would have to accept it if he wanted to keep playing.</div><div style="padding: 0px;">Fans would be at least as hard on a gay-bashing teammate as they would be on a gay player. Public opinion has shifted. In 1996, a Democratic president signed the Defense of Marriage Act, designed to "define and protect the institution of marriage" -- from gay people. The bill prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages.</div><div style="padding: 0px;">Now we have a Democratic president who openly supports gay marriage after saying, for years, that his position was "evolving." Whatever you think of this particular Democratic president -- and again, I advise you to talk to at least one backup cornerback in this Super Bowl before forming an opinion -- then understand: his position is mainstream. It is fast becoming the majority in this country.</div><div style="padding: 0px;">Ten states have legalized gay marriage. Others are trying. Many others have banned it by state law or constitutional amendment. It is still a divisive topic, for sure ... but whether homosexuals should be allowed to work is not a divisive topic. And that's all we're talking about here: Can a homosexual man do his job if that job happens to be playing in the NFL, NBA, NHL or Major League Baseball?</div><div style="padding: 0px;">Yes. Absolutely. If a player is talented enough, a team would happily employ him. In some markets, an openly gay athlete might even boost ticket sales. There would be a circus for a while, but society is more tolerant than we think. If we can love a linebacker who was once accused (rightly or wrongly) of double murder, why can't we accept a gay athlete?</div><div style="padding: 0px;">This is where you say: "BUT WHAT ABOUT THE LOCKER ROOM?" Well, this is what would happen: The gay athlete would shower and get dressed, and the Earth's rotation would continue.</div><div style="padding: 0px;">It is so easy to hear what Culliver said and think "No way. Too many guys think like that." But the reaction to his comments is far more relevant here. There was a swift public backlash and he had to retreat. He said what he felt he had to say Thursday, but it would not surprise me if, in the next few months, his opinion really does change.</div><div style="padding: 0px;">Ask Tim Hardaway.</div><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div>

Chris Cullive Like Tim Hardaway, Chris Culliver may learn error of his words

A day after saying he wouldn't want to play with gay teammates, Niners CB Chris Culliver apologized. From: http://sportsillustrated.cnn....

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A Personal Trainer Walnut Creek Shares A Couple Of Training Tips For Athletes

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Patricia Neill</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Walnut Creek has some of the world's most notable athletes, especially football players like Steve Alexakos of American Pro Football. The Pac 12 Conference was even held here and in case you didn't know, this is actually a college athletic conference that centers mainly in the Western parts of the United States.<br /> <br /> It's for this reason why you will find lots of personal trainers here. Some professional athletes would actually choose to hire a trainer to help them in the preparation of their upcoming match. If you are an athlete, then check out these training tips from a personal trainer Walnut Creek.<br /> <br /> Complement Your Abilities And Interests<br /> <br /> In order for you not to lose interest in your fitness training, you must enjoy doing it as much as you can. Instead of adhering to a certain program or following what others do, try to adjust your training time as well as the intensity of your exercises in order for you to not get easily bored with it. Most importantly, look for a personal trainer Walnut Creek who can help to fine tune your fitness plans in accordance to your fitness goals.<br /> <br /> Do Not Over Train<br /> <br /> If you are still new to the sport, then be conservative with your goals and come up with something that you can possibly accomplish. Or else, you will just end up hurting yourself physically and emotionally.<br /> <br /> Listen to your body and if you feel that you are too worn out, then stop and take your much needed rest. For athletes who need to train all year round, a personal trainer Walnut Creek suggested that you take about a week off in every three months of your training.<br /> <br /> Set Realistic Goals<br /> <br /> Sure, your goal is to win your game and be successful in whatever field of sport you are involved in, but when it comes to your fitness training, you should make sure that you set a goal that is realistic. You have to be honest with yourself and achieve only what your body is capable of doing.<br /> <br /> If you are planning to run for a marathon next year, yet you do not have time to train for even up to three times in a week, then do not aim to win because that is not achievable at all. A personal trainer Walnut Creek states that you should find a balance between your goals and what you are capable of doing.<br /> <br /> If you are still new to the sport, then be conservative with your goals and come up with something that you can possibly accomplish. Or else, you will just end up hurting yourself physically and emotionally.<br /> <br /> So these are some of the training advice that a personal trainer Walnut Creek would like to share to all athletes out there. If you're an athlete and you are in need of proper training for your upcoming event, you ought to consider hiring a fitness instructor to help you through.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Getting in good shape with the aid of <a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com/personal-trainer-walnut-creek/"> Walnut Creek Personal Trainer </a> not only improves your physique but also your health as well. The benefits that one can obtain from <a href="http://www.theperfectworkout.com"> The Perfect Workout </a> are endless.</div><br /> </div><br />

A Personal Trainer Walnut Creek Shares A Couple Of Training Tips For Athletes

By Patricia Neill Walnut Creek has some of the world's most notable athletes, especially football players like Steve Alexakos of Ameri...

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Day 4: Moguls are the tiny hills that kill your knees.

<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I spent a lot of this evening watching the two US curling events that took place today - the women vs. Switzerland, and the men vs. Norway. As I watched, key words like “house” and “end” and “hammer” made me remember that in 2010, as I was writing blurbs about the Olympics, I did an entire tutorial on curling! So I actually read it again and am looking forward to my next viewing experience of curling.</span></span></div><b id="docs-internal-guid-63c3f249-1f5e-2100-8781-7f9e71eef8c8" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">For those of you who didn’t read the post back in 2010 (back when all my posts were just Facebook notes!), here’s the curling portion again! The boys I’m talking about are now fourth graders, by the way. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">So I have been recording on videotape some Olympic events to take to my kindergarten class and show them when we have free time...and sometimes when I just don't feel like teaching. (Not like that happens often or anything!)</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Yesterday we watched men's moguls skiing, and today I'd recorded the downhill skiing and snowboard cross. I recorded and showed these because those were pretty tough sports and I thought the boys would get a kick out of them. They did really like it. We pretended to be moguls skiiers and kept our knees glued together, and we went on snowboards, and we raced down a mountain. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">When I had some release time today at lunch recess I just turned on the USA network and there was men's curling going on: USA vs. Germany. I was getting some other stuff done, so I just kept it on in the background. I have pretty much no idea the rules and points of the sport, but I know that if you get that stone in the middle of the ring, that's a good thing.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">When the boys got back inside from recess I kept it on as they got their shoes on and went back to their seats. They started to watch, too, and had tons of questions about it. When I told them that the red stones and brooms were for the US, they got really excited and were really hoping that the red stones would get the yellow stones out of the circles. They'd cheer if it made it, and groan if a red stone got knocked out. I was pretty entertained that they were so interested in curling, seeing as they knew just as much about the sport as I did!</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What surprised me the most came at the end of the day, when I was asking the boys what sport they've enjoyed watching the most so far. Half of them said something pertaining to "that one when they slid that rock and had brooms!" Really? We've watched moguls and snowboard cross (which I praised yesterday) and downhill skiing, and you would prefer to watch </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">curling?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Hearing this news, I knew I'd have to do a little research. So I went onto the Internet, and found out that two teams of four people play against each other in a match. Each team pushes their granite stone towards the "house," or the middle of the target on the other end of the ice. An "end" is a delivery of 16 stones (8 by each team), and there are 10 ends in a match. Each player throws two stones in an end (so it's not the same person every time - I didn't know that). They push the stone and will turn the handle to begin the travel of the stone. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">That thrower stays on one end of the ice and guides the sweepers, and the others use those brooms to guide the stone to the place they want it to go, make the stone travel farther, and make the stone curl. (Hey! Like "curling"!)</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">At the end of an...end, whoever has the stone closest to the very center of the circle gets a point. If that team has two or more stones closer than their opponent's closest stone, they get two or more points. I saw that today when the US women's team was playing Japan. The US was up 4-1, but crucial errors in delivering the stones meant that Japan had three stones closer to the center than the US' closest stone, so Japan ended up tying the score at 4-4. (They ended up winning 9-7.)</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I won't try to inform you of the strategy, and the different places you could place your stones to "block" the other team's stones, or anything like that. But now you have a little better idea what is going on if you ever catch curling on TV.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Reading my 2010 blog posts made me laugh. There were some things I didn’t remember typing, but I do know that the Blurb that I did helped me to launch this website in September of that year. It was hilarious to see that the title of one of the last Olympic posts was “879 days till London!” </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mini Blurbs</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (which used to be called “Baby Blurbs”)</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pants and shirts</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Yup, those Norwegian curling pants are really a sight to behold. But I have a problem with the US’s shirt choice. T-shirts? Really? At least make it a polo shirt to give them a little official-ness. It looks like they’re in a beer league. (Wait, that’s probably where some of them do their curling training.)</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today’s roundup</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Men’s 500m long-track speedskating (live), Men’s moguls (live), curling, biathlon, women’s skiing, short track.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Integration!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> As the kids came to the classroom, the final run of the men’s 500m long-track speedskating was going on. We watched it, and I explained that they run two races and use a combined time to determine the final scores. The kids immediately recognized the orange Dutchmen, and we all cheered when they swept the medals </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">again</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I am steamrolling along in my medals competition!</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">We spent some time discussing the countries of Russia, Germany, and the Netherlands (AKA Holland). I gave them a hypothetical situation where if the Olympic rings could no longer be used as a symbol for the Olympics, what symbol would they create? I had some great entries - including a multi-colored peace sign and criss-crossing multi-colored lines instead of rings. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Finally, we had some fun with moguls. I kept track of the scores of the super final on the board, and we discussed how the athletes are judged on three categories, but moguls has the greatest weight (50%) than speed (25%) and jumps (25%). This allowed us to talk about percentages and fractions. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">When the athlete was finished with his run, I would get their predictions. First, what percent range (60%, 70%, 80%, 90%) would his score be, and what place would he be in. They really got into the predictions, and I loved hearing their reasons. They knew that moguls were the most important part, so they ripped the athletes apart. “His legs came apart! His legs came apart!” When the final skier, Mikael Kingsbury of Canada, started hitting the moguls wrong and his legs came apart, all of us were shocked to see him end up in second! His speed was slower than the others, his moguls weren’t good, and his jumps were average. In our books, he got fourth. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Bearded Wonder</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Swede Per Spett participates in moguls, and he’s got a full-on Duck Dynasty beard and long hair - definitely not someone you think was from Sweden. He’s a little on the chunky side and goes down with reckless abandon, but his jumps are nuts - his final jump was a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">giant</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> front flip that went over half of those tiny moguls! He didn’t make it to the final, but I hope you got a chance to see him in qualification.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ato! Ato!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Normal track commentator Ato Boldin - whom I adore - is covering the Winter Olympics this year. It’s as if NBC heard me say, “I wish Ato Boldin was here.” I wonder if they hear me say, “You know what this figure skating could use? Rowdy Gaines!” (he does swimming)</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Czech balance</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (like it?): Another medal for the Czechs! Clearly the Winter Games are the Czech Republic’s strongpoint. Biathlete Ondrej Moravic won silver. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, you Wisconsin cities and your weird names</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: While watching speedskating on the online international English coverage, the British announcer said that Tucker Fredricks trained in “Wawn-ken-sher” Wisconsin. He meant Waukesha. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Speaking of Wisconsin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: I got </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Denver Post</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> today to cut out pictures for my Olympic collage bulletin board, and I was thrilled to see so many color photos of Olympic events! It just reminds me how ticked off I was four years ago, because </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Wisconsin State Journal</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> had AWFUL sports pictures of the Olympics. I checked - I did write about my displeasure back then, and I repeat it now. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I usually hate sob pieces, but…</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I love Alex Bilodeau’s brother. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SHORT TRACK!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It’s been too long, my friend. How about Victor Ahn, who won for South Korea eight years ago? He is super tall. He’s the Usain Bolt of short track. And short track is like the Roman chariot racing of Olympic sports - everyone wants to see a wipeout! </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">And isn’t it awesome that Apolo Ohno is doing commentary now? He did great!</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s amazing how everyone has really stepped up to the South Korean dominance in short track. I think that a South Korean struggle might not bode well for everyone, because in 2018 South Korea will host the Winter Games, and they will be </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ready</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> if they fail this time around.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My weakness</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: When it comes to Olympic viewing, I enjoy many different events. However, I have a hard time getting into team events with “round robins.” This includes hockey and curling in the Winter Games. When I talk to my father, he mentions the latest hockey score, but that’s one thing that I can’t get into. I need some immediacy to my events - qualification, a few rounds, and a medal. Having events that are stretched out like seasons makes it hard for me to watch regularly. I will watch in the medal rounds, but not right now. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Did You Know</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: That short track converts to figure skating. Did not realize that - I thought they were two separate rinks under one roof!</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Slalom is crazy</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: How people can see those blue and red poles and know how to go down a steep hill </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> alternate between the two colors at breakneck speed is impossible in my eyes. </span></span></div><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tomorrow there’s a ton going on - from women’s luge finals to women’s ski jumping finals to women’s long-track finals to MEN’S HALFPIPE. Time to see SJ Shaun White in action!</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O59HCwMPl8EAQihlM-aY8M3O_WpV_LiY9R7L0J0_I78GgbeIYFiQfsbFQh0WvIdkYDIDwKDsHFDq3e7uk-h2Htj6Nf791ZWcL7SEF2zjdMPnXo_Pw4egZ60K2BeIfM4AeIELgu7og-Q/s1600/olympic_rings_568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O59HCwMPl8EAQihlM-aY8M3O_WpV_LiY9R7L0J0_I78GgbeIYFiQfsbFQh0WvIdkYDIDwKDsHFDq3e7uk-h2Htj6Nf791ZWcL7SEF2zjdMPnXo_Pw4egZ60K2BeIfM4AeIELgu7og-Q/s1600/olympic_rings_568.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>

Day 4: Moguls are the tiny hills that kill your knees.

I spent a lot of this evening watching the two US curling events that took place today - the women vs. Switzerland, and the men vs. Norway. ...

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