I try to stay in shape- a couple of times a week at the gym, healthy food and yoga if time permits. Carrying 70 lbs. of gear can wear you out so it pays to keep fit. No conditioning on the stair master laps around the park could prepare me for the marathon I finished last week.
I cover the Texas A&M basketball teams for the Associated Press when they are in the top 25. Good set up for me. I love basketball and AP has a sweet set of lights for me to use in the rafters. After the regular season I usually call it quits and move on to other sports but this year I got to follow the women through March Madness. A&M was a high seed and they said to prepare for a long run in the tournament.
From Baton Rouge to Oklahoma, the last game was the best. The girls had to go up against Tennessee and their allstar Candace Parker. Every girl on Tenn was at least 7 inches taller than the girl opposite of them. It was a David v Goliath battle. I will give it to A&M, I would have quit and headed to the bar for a beer. Not them, it was a close game to the end and not a one of them felt sorry for themselves later on the plane home.
If you watched(doubt it) there was a lot of drama and intensity. The craziest moment- when Parker dislocated her shoulder not once but two twice. Of course she finished the game in a brace. Tough girl. Tennessee pulled it off in the end moved on to meet LSU. I doubt anyone thought A&M would give them so much trouble.
The hardest part was the long hotel room stays, greasy food and way too much beer consumption. I am not saying I have a personal trainer but if I did they would have been pissed and my condition upon returning home. The hangover from two weeks on the road is gone but I have some great memories and new friends.
Paul
