Preparations for the Seattle to Portland Bike Ride

It's the even of the STP and I'm just about ready. It's my first big cycling event and will be by far the farthest that I've ridden in the shortest amount of time. Nearly 10,000 people complete this ride every year making it the largest ride in the Pacific Northwest and getting it attention from cycling enthusiasts around the country. I'm equal parts excited and scared about this next step in my very young cycling experience.

Here are some of the preparations that I've made:

• This week I've drank a gallon or more of water every day
• Monday and Tuesday I went through a mini-cleanse of my system with the help of some fiber and milk thistle supplements and a ton of fresh fruits and veggies.
• Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I have loaded up with carbs. Lots of brown rice, lentils pasta and breads. I've eaten carbs until I think I'm going to explode through the day Friday.
• I haven't ridden the bike at all this week. Instead I've focused on a couple of 2 mile walks, a run early in the week and an impromptu volleyball match or two while incorporating lots of yoga and core strength exercises to my routine.

How will I fare? I'm sure that I'll finish. Check me out next week to see how the trip went.

The Puget Sound Region High Performance Volleyball Select Camp

This week I spent some time down at Fife High School working with the USA Volleyball Puget Sound Region High Performance Select Program featuring some of the most promising players in the region under the age of 15. The camp was a lot of fun and extremely competitive. 10 of the 37 girls will be chosen to represent the Puget Sound Region at the National High Performance Championship tournament in Florida later this month.

Click here to learn more about the program and see a listing of players participating in the camp.

Velocity FC '93 Green Begin Thier Fitness Training

This week Velocity FC '93 Green began their six week fitness program with me. They are a talented group of girls getting ready for their second tournament of the season this weekend at the Kent Cornacopia Cup.

Tuesday's session was focused on beginning to develop lower leg strength and stability with the intention to avoid injury through the rest of the summer and fall season. Thursday I introduced a team warm-up and worked through some flexibility and core training to help get the ladies ready for this weekend.

The program will feature a total of 12 half hour sessions over the span of six weeks focused on reducing the risk of injury by strengthening the players core and lower leg complex as well as helping the players to develop explosive strength to aid in acceleration and short burst movements.

Contact Me (Mati) at 425.344.0408 to inquire about putting together a fitness program for your soccer or volleyball program.

What to do in Grand Teton National Park and How to Figure Tire Size to Great Ratio on Trails.com

Two more articles popping up on Trails.com.

10 things to do with Kids in Grand Tetons National Park

How to Figure Tire Size to Gear Ratio

Thanks for checking out all of my work and supporting the projects that I've got underway.

Seattle Sounders Women Held 0-0 by Real Colorado Cougars

The Seattle Sounders Women are still undefeated in their 2009 USL W-League campaign, but with just three wins from 10 matches, the Sounders are now in danger of being eliminated from the Western Conference playoff picture by a familiar foe, the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Seattle has drawn in three consecutive matches and now must produce results in their final three matches of the year that will all be played on the road against the three southern California sides. Vancouver also finishes their season on the road with a pair of matches in Colorado. The runaway leader of the Western Conference, Pali Blues will likely host the second place team in a one game playoff that will decide who goes to the USL W-League Final Four. Seattle have made Final Four appearances in each of the last three seasons.

Puget Sound Region Volleyball Team Junior Olympics Update

The USA Junior Olympic Volleyball Championships are in full swing in Miami, Florida. It hasn't been a sparkling tournament for the Puget Sound Region teams, but things are starting to look up going into the Holiday weekend.

Washinton Volleyball Academy's 16 Mizuno team has posted an impressive 8-3 record and won the Silver division of the U-16 National Division.

Kent Juniors 18 Baden got into the winning column for the first time in the tournament yesterday. They have a single match today and another double match day tomorrow.

The Washington Volleyball Academy's 18 Mizuno team have a 2-1 record in the U-18 National Bracket. They finish pool play today with a pair of matches.

The Sudden Impact 17 Storm squad posted four wins in their trip to nationals before being eliminated in the second round of bracket play in flight three of the U-17 National division.


Find the Results for your favorite Puget Sound Club at USAvolleyball.org.

Seattle Sounders Forward Lyndsey Patterson Signs with Los Angeles Sol of Women's Professional Soccer

The Seattle Sounders Women lost the services of Lyndsey Patterson when she signed a professional contract to play the rest of the WPS season with the Los Angeles Sol. Patterson was the Sounders Women scoring and shots leader for the season.

The Seattle Sounders Women are back in action for their final home game of the season Friday July 3rd at 5pm against the Real Colorado Cougars. Tickets are available at the gate.