It has been a long first two weeks of travel and tourneys for Phil and I. We were originally all set 2 go to Miami on the Thursday before the event. Standard procedure for most tourneys. BUT....Literally on Wend. before Miami we were asked and confirmed to go to Miami early to do a clinic on Thursday afternoon. I tried to change my flight on Thursday to get in earlier but was not able to do so. Probably a good thing considering I was flying American and that day they cancelled around 1000 flights. So I literally booked a ticket on United and US Airways out of LAX at 4pm on Wend. and flew out of LAX at 10pm. Got into Miami through Philly around noon or so. I was fortunate as I received the upgrade from LAX to Philly which is huge on those redeye flights.
We did the clinic with about 150 kids along with several other athletes and coaches. Played in the tourney and won. We were then supposed to fly out from Miami to Chicago direct on United at 5:45pm on Sunday after the finals. Unfortunately, the AVP moved the final from 2:30 to 3:30 and then a quick rainstorm came up lasting 30 minutes. So we didn't start the finals until closer to 4pm on Sunday. We finished quickly and could have rushed from the beach to make our flight but we had to stay and do the finals ceremony and media stuff. By the time that all ended it was almost 5:15 and we were a 20 minute cab ride from the airport. Not going to happen for us.
We rebooked a flight on American that had us leaving Miami at 10:30 and going to Nashville at 11:45. We booked a hotel in Nashville close to the airport and slept there for about 4 hours. We then got up at 5am and flew out of Nashville at 6am to Chicago. Landed at 7:45am and jumped in a cab to go to downtown Chicago to do a USOC Media Summit all day. Had lots of photos and video done as well as standard media interviews. Literally from about 9:30am until 6:30pm with a 30 minute break for lunch and a 1 hour break mid-afternoon. By the end of the day my head was swimming. We didn't even bother checking into the hotel, just stashed our stuff in the athlete lounge and went around the Palmer House Hotel doing interview stuff ect... At 6:30pm we boarded a shuttle back to the airport and flew out at 9pm to LAX. Got in around 11:30 and Phil drove back to his house with me as his passenger. We had carpooled down on Wend. as we both were taking redeye's that day. I then got into my car at Phil's and drove the last hour back to my house. Got in around 2am or so and went to bed about 2:30am.
Had two days to rest and workout and then Thursday we were back on the plane to Dallas. Got a reprieve on Friday because of the whole sand fiasco which was kind of nice considering. Won the tourney and got home on Sunday at midnight.
Glad this weekend we have off to rest and relax and gear up for what is going to amount to about 23 straight weeks of tourneys. Long season and here we go.
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13 comments:
Todd,
I know your troubles with travel. Back in the day when I traveled extensively I ran into many of the same problems. I always hated the Int'l troubles. Still when you win the Gold it will be all worth it. Oh yeah the Croc's Cup and your share of the million bucks too.
Later,
Arsenal 12
Wow, it's amazing with a schedule like that you can remain focused. I guess that's what makes you-you and me-me. Congratulations on the success, you deserve it. What other sport has one of it's top athletes spending time writing to his fans, and even responding to them. That's beach volleyball...and that's a classy star. Win some gold and bring it to Belmar next summer so I can try it on. :) The best of luck to you and Phil (and all the AVP players in the quest).
Didn't know you were that busy! Guess with it being an Olympic year, you're going to have all these media commitments and the such...probably the same goes for Misty and Kerri. And you have to make time for your family too. It's easy to forget these other aspects of your life(and other professional athletes) since we only get to see you on the court. Thanks for sharing and rest up!
WOW Todd....no wonder gas prices are so high...you guys are flying to every state in the Union and using it all up!!!! Actually keep flying because my theory is the higher the oil prices are the more lucrative it will be to find an alternative. Also if Exxon makes huge profits they will have more money to find more oil. Phil must take a beating on the planes and in the cabs so the upgrades must be crucial. How do you monitor your food and hydration on these trips? Do you get salads at Wendys and McDonalds or eat a lot of airport food? If you are looking for some good movies for your laptop while traveling try these classics:
Beerfest
Me, Myself and Irene
Kingpin
Slapshot
Better Off Dead
Have a great week...Scott from Cape Cod
Took in some of the Long Beach Q yesterday. Felt good to be soaking the sun, the sounds, and of course some top notch bvb. Really looking forward to Huntington this weekend. As for my view on the LBQ;
Nygaard/Jewell look real good. Jeff was huge at the net. Ty Tromblie in my mind is at the top of the list in rising stars. His defense is simply outstanding. Great feet that can really move in the sand.
Later,
Arsenal 12
Todd,
What a whirlwind 2 weeks! Glad you and Phil had the well-deserved week off. Hope that the FIVB schedule in May/June won't get too crazy for you and the others. By the way, I assume the AVP is more lenient in allowing you guys and the other 5-6 teams to skip AVP events for FIVBs. True?
Thanks,
Steve
Todd,
I especially appreciate your views on how other teams are playing, particularly the new partnerships.
One of the things that makes the AVP interesting is how different teams are formed in an attempt to compete against you and Phil.
I saw a team practicing in Huntington Beach over the weekend and while they were fun to watch and athletic, I don't think they would stand a chance against you and Phil. But you always seem to give praise to your competition and I liked how you said on the TV about Dallas, that if Rosie and Gibb had played like they did in the first game that there wasn't much that you could do. That was classy.
Good luck in HB and the Cuervo,
Steve
Todd,
Thanks as always for your blogging. It really adds a whole new dimension and depth, and as a fan it makes the sport more interesting that we get a peek behind the scenes.
Congrats on your wins thus far, and I'm looking forward to seeing you guys in HB and following you throughout the AVP and Olympic season.
Drew - formerly from Santa Cruz, now from Carpinteria
peace
george
I see where Mark Heese and Ahren Cadieux earned a nice ninth this week.
Todd go see Iron Man if you have any downtime between play. It will get you motivated for some serious vertical.
eorge
todd, i am glad that you and phil decided not to go to prague, and go to charleston instead; my wife and i are loading up on thursday and flying in to see you win it all this year...i still have nightmares about a unbelievable dig stein made in last years finals; good luck to you and phil and i will catch up with you this weekend...alan beverly/birmingham,al
Todd I sure hope the AVP isn't pulling on the strings too hard, but I must say it is great to hear you are headed to Charleston over Czech.
Looking forward to your return to the low country. I hope the weather holds and the sand is much better then last year.
Still anxiouisly awaiting for you and Phil to complete FIVB event 8 and lock in the Olympics, but I'm sure that will happen shortly.
Alan if you want to get together this weekend, or any other bloggers, you can E-mail me at hholman@lowcountry.com.
Jeff
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