My WFA Days

For those of you.....

2010-09-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

.....still subscribed to this blog, I'm starting over at this one:

http://astrangerinthisplace.blogspot.com/

Lots of changes happening in my life so I started a blog about it.

The End

2010-07-08T22:05:00.000-07:00

The Fillies had an incredibly successful first year. An overall record of 8-2 and a league record of 6-2. We made it to the playoffs but lost to Las Vegas in the first round. There were a lot of ups and downs and a lot of struggles but we've made it.

For me, my time as a football player has come to an end. My knee specialist told me this morning that I have to find a low impact sport from here on out. My knees are basically falling apart and there isn't much that can be done. The cartilage is coming off my bone. If I continue with the pounding that football takes, it would only be a matter of time before I would need total knee replacement.

So, this is the end of my blog, as well. I'm off to try and survive this blow, among some others that life has thrown my way, and figure out where to go from here.

Thanks for reading.

Wendi Kali #55
Portland Fighting Fillies

2010-05-27T12:04:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends, Family and Blog Followers!

I know I owe you all a long overdue update on this season, but, my football team, the Portland Fighting Fillies, (who are currently undefeated!) have made it to the Women's Football Alliance playoffs and need your help to actually get there! I am reaching out to everyone on my email list, on Facebook and this blog in hopes of raising some funds for our playoff tavel.

Can you spare just $5 to help us out? $10? $20? Any amount will help us tremendously! We've had an amazing first year with the support we've received from our fans and sponsors! We can't thank you enough!

It's easy to sponsor us via PayPal. Check out the link on the front page of our web site: www.fightingfillies.com and look for the PayPal button on the right. Or, send a check made out to "Portland Fighting Fillies" to:

Portland Fighting Fillies
15885 SW Serena Court
Tigard, OR 97224

Please help us raise money for our player travel fund so that we can bring the championship title back to Portland!

Our last home game of the regular season is Saturday, June 19th at 6pm with a huge BBQ and tailgating event happening beginning at 1pm! Your entry fee of $20 will get you all you can eat BBQ and admission to the game! (We'll have veggie burgers, too!!) It's all happening at LaSalle Prep School, 11999 SE Fuller Road, Milwaukie! Hope to see you there!

Sincerely and with tremendous appreciation,

Wendi Kali #55

PS- An update will follow soon! Stay tuned!

Team Photo

2010-05-11T13:42:00.001-07:00

Photo by Scott Larson

Back In The Game

2010-05-11T13:31:00.001-07:00

I've gradually been getting back in the game since the knee was sprained. This past Saturday's game was the most I've played in a game so far. We switched out players a lot due to the altitude we were playing in. Salt Lake City is close to 5,000 feet in altitude. Trying to breathe in that is difficult if you're not used to it.

I played on the kick-off return team, punt team, right tackle on offense a few times, left tackle on offense once and center twice. It felt good to be in the game and playing again. I was pretty exhausted due to driving all night Friday night just to get there, but I managed to get my very first career stat with a tackle after a punt.

It was a pretty exhausting weekend with all of the traveling but it was also good.

My team is 4-0 right now and after last weekend we've got a playoff spot and the division title. How cool is that for a first year team?

Last Saturday's Game

2010-04-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

I didn't make the trip but my team overcome a lot through the game with Fresno and came out the victors. The final score was 26 to 21. The Fillies are 1-0 in the league and 2-0 in the season!

I'm so proud of them.

2010-04-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

My team and I were on Good Day Oregon this morning in their "On The Go With Joe" segments!

Watch one of the segments!

You can't really see me in this clip but I suited up for the first time in 5 weeks. It felt pretty damn good, too.

Back To The Gym

2010-04-16T21:12:00.000-07:00

I went to the gym tonight after taking 3 weeks off to let the knee heal. The good news is I'm not totally starting over on my training. I was able to bench press 135 lbs. 2 full reps (without a spotter). After working on my back, chest, arms and abs I did one set of step-ups and will see what the knee feels like tomorrow.

At this point, I feel pretty positive about practicing next week.

Last Saturday's Game

2010-04-16T20:40:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday's game was a blow out. We won the game 74 to 6. I give all kinds of kudos to the players and coaches on the Blackwidows team. They left Ventura at 10pm Friday night and got into Portland at 2pm Saturday afternoon then played a game against us at 6pm. Also, they were only able to bring 10 players and one was injured.

We played 8-women football, which was a little odd for us since we've been practicing 11-women but my team worked it out and turned it into a successful game.

I have to say, I'm pretty darn proud of the class we and our fans showed the other team. Everyone, including our fans, cheered for the Blackwidows when they scored their only touchdown. After the game the team bought them dinner at Old Chicago. I had other responsibilities that I had to tend to after the game so I wasn't able to join them but I heard they were very happy to have made the trip and had fun playing football with us. In the end that's what matters most.

Tonight my team is heading down to Fresno to take on the Central Cal War Angels tomorrow night in our very first league game of the season. Tomorrow I will wear my away jersey all day and cheer them on from up here in Portland. I also hope to hear from Coach or one of my teammates after the game to find out what happened. I think it'll be a tough game but I really thing we can pull out a win against them. I have confidence in my team and in our Coaches.

Game Day

2010-04-10T08:46:00.000-07:00

Today is the day. The Fillies first game ever. Tonight at 6pm we kick-off our first season in the history of our team. This is the day that we've all worked hard for since last October. The blood, sweat, tears, pain, stress and frustration of the last 6 months pay off today on the field.

We've done it. Created a new women's football team.

I'll be on the sidelines cheering on my new team and supporting them any way I can. The knee is still healing so I'm out for the first two games. I'm at peace with that though because from this injury I have been granted permission to observe. To be a witness to this great accomplishment for all of my teammates, a lot of whom have never played in a full-contact football game before. I am proud of them and am honored to be their witness to this day.

It's a great day to be a Filly.

New Fillies video

2010-04-06T16:10:00.001-07:00

Mental Fight

2010-03-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how much mental/self confidence/self assurance weight I put in being able to ride my motorcycle and play football, let alone walk normally.

No tears, thankfully

2010-03-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

I had my knee checked out by a doctor and there aren't any tears, thank goodness. Just a pulled ligament or two. I've been icing it nightly and doing some exercises to get my range back. I'm also focusing on not over compensating for it so much because now my right hip and leg hurts. It sort of feels like I'm learning to walk all over again.

Last night I went to training and focused on my upper body. It felt good to be doing something. I'm afraid of losing ground this close to the season starting.

Today the knee is feeling better. It seems to be getting less and less stiff as the days go on. My trainer said I may be out for about a month, but I'm not so sure now. It feels pretty good. I may be able to play in the first game. We'll see.

Injured Reserve (hopefully temporarily)

2010-03-19T07:56:00.000-07:00

Last season the only injuries I incurred while playing were jammed fingers. It seemed to be a reoccurring theme for me and my left hand was constantly swollen.

This season, I'm not so lucky. While playing center last night at practice, the line was creating a wedge block so that the ball carrier could run up the middle. Some where in all of that my left foot got caught under someone and someone else landed on the back/inside of my left knee. My left knee hyper extended to the left and I definitely pulled something. I went down screaming in pain.

After being helped off the field and watching the end of practice, I came home and iced it then tried, rather unsuccessfully, to sleep on my back all night. My thought was to wait and see how it feels in the morning. I'd hoped it would just be sore but movable.

Not so much.

I definitely don't have very much range of motion. It hurts to bend it. It hurts a lot. So, I am going to have to bite the bullet and get it evaluated by a doctor. I say "bite the bullet" because I have crap health insurance so I'll have to pay for a lot of this out of my pocket. Well, what little is in my pocket. That's what really scares me. Not only does it suck being on the side lines, it really sucks that I can't afford this.

But, who knows. I may be jumping the gun. I'll know more after I get it checked out.

Here's hoping it's not that serious.

Paving The Way!

2010-03-16T15:19:00.000-07:00

(CBS) Natalie Randolph, a biology and environmental sciences teacher at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School in Washington D.C., isn't just "teach" anymore. She's "coach."

The 29-year-old was introduced Friday as the new head coach of the school's football team. (Read More)

Fun With Fundraising

2010-03-04T13:27:00.000-08:00

The fundraiser at the Egyptian Club last Friday was a success. Everyone had a great time and we raised $450 for the team! I received a message from the owner of the bar telling us that they really enjoyed hosting our event and welcome us back anytime. The staff had a great time, as well.

This past Monday I tallied up the total tickets we sold for the Winterhawks game fundraiser and found that we sold 228 tickets! Since turning in the money and the unsold tickets on Monday we've sold 6 more so our total for this fundraiser is $936! Another great success! The Winterhawks have invited 12 of our team mates to come down onto the ice to help pick up the "Chuck-A-Pucks" while they put our logo on the jumbo tron and give us a 10 second blurb. It's going to be a fantastic night for advertising our team! The game is this Saturday, March 6th. Added to the fact that the Winterhawks are on their way to the playoffs, it's also the Hall of Fame Induction game for the Winterhawks so there will be a big crowd! I'm looking forward to it.

Next Sunday is the Classical Guitar Concert fundraiser at the Q Center in North Portland. We have a tremendous resource in one of our players who knows the amazing classical guitarist, Scott Kritzer. He's put together a student recital and will be performing as well. All of the proceeds will go to the team. Plus, we'll have Hip Chicks Do Wine there selling wine by the glass and bottle, as well! We've also asked In Other Words and Aries Apparel to have tables there. It's going to be a fun evening and I'm looking forward to hearing the beautiful music.

We have a few more fundraisers lined up and we'll keep going with it. We have to. We have a lot to pay for this season.

In other good fundraising news, the branch of our team that puts together the girls camps has partnered with In Other Words Books and will be under their 501(c)3 status as a project. What this means is that we can collect tax deductible donations for the equipment and other things needed to continue with the girls camps!

So many exciting things happening! I'm pretty proud of this team. We've accomplished a lot in a short period of time.

Tonight is our first practice on our home field!

Quote of The Day

2010-02-25T09:52:00.001-08:00

“Football is easy if you're crazy as hell”
-Bo Jackson

Promotional Video For Our March 14th Fundraiser

2010-02-24T16:44:00.000-08:00

Recorded and edited by Karla Fisher.

So Busy

2010-02-24T12:04:00.000-08:00

I have a new found respect for the owners and managers of the women's football teams across the nation. It is a lot of work to put a team together. Honestly, I feel like I've been working 3 jobs lately and it's wearing. I just returned from 3 days on the coast with my girlfriend and I can't even begin to explain to you just how much I needed that time away.

What I'm finding most difficult is separating my owner/treasurer/fundraiser self from my player self. Practices seem to have become more wearing on my mind then my body. I'm working really hard to find my Zen place with all of it so the fun of playing doesn't disappear.

Training is going really well. David, our team trainer, has been making sure we're on a good training schedule in order to prepare us for the season. As sick as it may sound, I appreciate the pain and muscle exhaustion he puts me through because I can feel myself getting stronger and faster off the line.

On the business side of things, we've secured an awesome turf field for our first season at La Salle Catholic High School in Milwaukie, Oregon. Milwaukie is a southern suburb of Portland. We'll get to practice there, as well, which takes a load off of coach who has been constantly finding places for us to practice.

This Friday is another fundraiser at a local bar. Next Saturday, March 6th, is our fundraiser with the Winterhawks. They are a minor league hockey team here in Portland. A week from then on Sunday March 14th is our Classical Guitar Concert fundraiser.

Our gear has been ordered and is expected to be delivered anytime. New helmets, shoulder pads and leg pad sets! Coach is ordering our jerseys today!

We're busy making things happen!

As everyone has begun to say, "It's a great day to be a Filly!"

Tonight's Training

2010-01-28T23:15:00.000-08:00

I felt better with tonight's training. I definitely noticed that my energy is coming back. Slowly, but it's coming back. I talked to David about my caloric intake today and am going to work on increasing it on training days, for sure.

I just entered all of the food I ate today in a calorie counter online at www.fitday.com and as it turns out, I've had 2,606 calories today. My protein intake was 142 grams and my carbs were at 279 grams. My fat was 108 grams. According to the pie chart at the bottom of the page, I need to increase my protein intake even more. All in all, I think I did pretty good on my calories for the day.

I felt good tonight at the gym so I'll keep watching my intake and see where I am when I feel good and not so good.

Lost Steam

2010-01-28T13:00:00.000-08:00

I was sick for two weeks, in bed for 4 days of the first week with a fever and complete loss of energy, then fighting congestion for the remainder of the two weeks. I'm still struggling to regain my energy, let alone my motivation to train and practice. Things in life are getting to me again and I find myself in a 'funk' that seems to be getting worse as the days go by.

I don't really want to do much of anything, but I went back to training this past Tuesday. It was difficult, to say the least. I feel like I'm starting over again and that's incredibly frustrating to me. I know I'm not getting enough calories on training days so I'm keeping a log of what I eat today since I'll be training again tonight. Hopefully tonight I won't feel like losing my lunch while I'm training. My cardio is really down, as well.

Hopefully, I can turn things around and get back on track shortly.

Another Fun Fillies Video!

2010-01-26T09:06:00.001-08:00

Finalized & Confirmed

2010-01-17T21:04:00.000-08:00

Our 2010 season schedule is finally set. There's a lot of travel involved. Specially during the month of May and half of June. That'll be the most brutal part of it. Here's hoping that things go smoothly.

4/10 vs. Ventura Black Widows
4/17 @ Central Cal War Angels
4/24 vs Utah Blitz
5/1 vs. Central Cal War Angels
5/8 @ Utah Blitz
5/15 BYE
5/22 @ Ventura Black Widows
5/29 BYE
6/5 @ Las Vegas Showgirlz
6/12 @ Utah Blitz
6/19 vs. Central Cal War Angels

Great Video From Women's Football Camp & Conference

2010-01-17T16:02:00.000-08:00

Last day of Women's Football Camp & Conference

2010-01-10T17:55:00.000-08:00

This morning we had a couple of really interesting speakers. Kip Watson from the Dallas Diamonds, who is also a counselor, talked to us about knowing our type of personality in order to help us better understand how to improve upon our game.

From the research she's done using the Meyers-Brigg test she can tell you where your best suited to play within your sport. She can also counsel you on how to improve. It's also a good tool for coaches because each player needs to be coached differently. All of the coaches who have led their team(s) to a championship know the importance of individualization. Different personalities need to be coached in different ways in order to get the most out of the player.

I've taken the test before and have known that I am an INFJ (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeler, Judge) for a while. Kip says that this type of personality has to work really hard just to be average. There aren't many in the professional sports world who have this type of personality.

INFJ's are better suited to management, writing and things like that. When we participate in sports and are being coached we need repetition in order for something to click. It's true. I need a lot of repetition. When I mess up, I know it and I don't need someone in my face telling me I messed up because I'm already yelling at myself inside. It's also hard for me to move on quickly after I've messed up. So, I have to work much harder then other athletes around me in order to be an average player because these things are working against me. It's not impossible, it's just a lot more work.

Check out Kip's blog here.

After Kip, we listened to Donna Wilkinson give a presentation on keeping ourselves healthy. She's been an athlete all of her life and has played with the DC Divas for the last 10 years. She's also a wellness consultant and has a lot of great information about our foods, our air, our water and the environment around us and how it all affects us physically. She also talked about our ability to reprogram our genes, which I found fascinating.

Donna has a lot of really great information about feeling better and living healthier. Check out her website here.

After the presentations we all said our good-byes and headed out. Karla and I grabbed some lunch then headed to the airport. Unfortunately, the Consumer Electronics Show was also happening in Vegas this weekend so my attempt to get on an earlier flight failed. So I'm updating from the Las Vegas airport and waiting for my 8:20pm departure.

This experience at the Women's Football Camp & Conference has been amazing. I've absorbed a lot and will continue to absorb all of the information that I was exposed to this past weekend. I'm sure I'll have more to say about it in the coming weeks.

Thanks again to everyone who helped make this experience possible for me!

Day 3

2010-01-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

I didn't sleep very well last night and am feeling like I'm fighting a cold, unfortunately. Even so, I'm excited about the day.

Today started out with Chalk Talk with Coach Ring. We talked more about drills and techniques and he answered any questions we had from yesterday's field time.

At 11 am we all met Tina Kunzer-Murphy who is the Executive Director of the Las Vegas Bowl and works for ESPN. She's the only woman who is an ED of a Division I bowl so it was inspiring to listen to her story. She's been in the field of sports her entire career. She gave us a bit of insight into ESPN, as well. As do all businesses, they are in it for the money. Not necessarily for the love of sports. So the idea of ESPN airing our games is pretty far off. The league needs to build, build, build.

After lunch I went back to my room for a bit to try and rest. I had already decided to take it easy and not participate in the afternoon's practice so when I went back to UNLV I wondered around the field taking pictures. Unfortunately, my camera is a point and shoot so it isn't very conducive to sporting events.

Before the practice started we took some group pictures. These are the other offensive line players that I practiced with. They're hard to see in the back but started from the left is Robin from the Sacramento Sirens, Becca from the Austin Outlaws, and Coach Ring. In the front is Carrie from the Sacramento Sirens, Sunny from the Las Vegas Showgirlz, Angela from the Minnesota Machine and Mona from the Las Vegas Showgirlz.

After pictures they started in with the drills. With every practice Coach Ring starts with very basic drills, which I thought was fantastic and I will be suggesting them to the team when we start up with practices again.

The defensive line players were coached by an NFL coach who's name I have already forgotten. I love the equipment we were able to use.

A kicking coach came out this afternoon and my teammate, Karla, gave it a try.

The future of our game! The Showgirlz conducted a girls camp while we were practicing. The girls were so into it and had a great time!

One of the last pictures I got before the sun set. This is Karla doing her DB thing.

After practice we listened to a presentation on a fundraising idea then headed back to our rooms. This evening I plan on staying in and resting. Hopefully, I'll sleep better tonight.

Day 2

2010-01-08T21:30:00.000-08:00

Today was packed full of information. We started with Chalk Talks at 8am then listened to a series of presenters on subjects that we need to know not only as players but as managers and owners, as well. Everything from an athlete's diet to getting sponsors and keeping them. I have so much information and many ideas to take back to the team.

During Brian Van Hook's presentation on speed & strength training I took quite a few videos to take back to the team, as well. There are stretches that he showed us that would benefit us more pre-practice and pre-game. Dynamic stretches as opposed to the static stretches that we do.

In the afternoon we practiced for nearly 3 hours. Afterwards, Lynne Koreman from Koreman Consulting Group talked to us about getting sponsors and keeping them. I spoke with her briefly after her presentation and asked if she would look over our sponsorship packet and give us suggestions on how to improve upon it. She said she would so I emailed it to her when I got back to the hotel room.

By the end of the day I was completely worn out mentally and physically.

I was able to snap a few more pictures today before the afternoon practice.

This is Brian Van Hook. He had a lot of great information on speed and strength training.

Women's Football Camp & Conference - Day 1

2010-01-07T22:22:00.000-08:00

Day one of the Women's Football Camp & Conference and I've already learned so much!

After arriving in Las Vegas this afternoon and grabbing some lunch with my teammate, Karla, and Bj Coletta from Women's Football Talk and the Red Hawks Sixxes, we headed over to the University of Nevada at Las Vegas Lied Athletic Complex for the first day of camp.

It was great to walk in and see so many athletes from other teams around the US. The Las Vegas Showgirls, Austin Outlaws, Minnesota Machine, DC Divas, Utah Blitz, Indiana Speed, Sacramento Sirens and I'm sure I'm forgetting a team or two. There may be more players coming as the weekend progresses but it looks like there were about 55 players there already.

After an introduction by Coach Dion Lee we headed out to the football field, warmed up then split into our individual positions for practice. I decided to focus on the offensive line during the camp and I'm really glad I did. A few weeks ago, Coach told me to try being the center so I've been working on my snap and speed off the ball. There are 2 other centers here so I'm getting a lot of really great feedback and tips.

As far as drills for the line, I've already got some great ideas to bring back to the team for practices. Mark Ring, who was with the SoCal Scorpions for 4 years, is coaching the offensive line here at the camp. He's been coaching offensive line since 1991 so I'm pretty excited to see what else I can learn and take back to the team.

After practice we headed back into the auditorium for 'chalk talk'. Coach Ring gave us a book on techniques, drills and practice organization. I'll definitely be taking that back to the team.

Around 8:30 we ended early for the night so that we could catch the end of the BCS Championship game so a few of us headed over to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner and to catch the game.

It's been a long day with traveling and the camp but it's been a good one. I'm looking forward to all of the information I'll be absorbing tomorrow! I've been trying to get some pictures but since I'm participating in practices it's been a bit difficult. Here's a few that I got today at the conference:

Waiting for other players before heading to UNLV

All of us in the auditorium

Coach Lee going over the camp schedule

All Clear!

2010-01-06T13:28:00.000-08:00

I just returned from OHSU Breast Center and after an exam, a mammogram and an ultrasound it's been determined that I am healthy! Big sigh of relief!

Onward!!

A bit of a scare

2010-01-04T19:41:00.000-08:00

Today I made an appointment with Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) Breast Center. This past weekend I found a lump and I'm a bit concerned, to say the least. I have a family history.

Chances are it's just fibrous tissue but I can't help but worry. I'm trying my best to stay positive. I see the doctor on Wednesday and have the mammogram done that same day.

Crossing my fingers. Toes, too.

New Year, New Schedule

2010-01-01T14:18:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! I can't believe it's already 2010. Another decade has gone by in what seems like an instant. It seems like the older I get the quicker time goes by. Yesterday I took some time to reflect back on the last 10 years and created a list of things I've done during that time. It appears that I've been very busy.

In the past decade I have....
- moved 12 times
- gone back to college
- changed my major 3 times
- earned my Bachelor of Science degree
- held 5 jobs
- paid off debt
- gained more debt
- dated 4 women
- survived 3 break-ups
- made lots of friends
- created my chosen family
- gained full custody of my son
- said goodbye to my Grandfather and Grandmother
- lived on a mountain in a cabin in the snow
- watched my son graduate high school and start college
- learned to ride a motorcycle
- bought two motorcycles
- sold an SUV
- bought a car
- flew to Memphis on a FedEx jet
- visited Graceland & Sun Studios
- played full-contact football for the first time
- helped open a gay & lesbian youth center in San Diego
- was Assistant Commissioner of the Rose City Women's Softball division
- acted as treasurer for the Southern Oregon chapter of GLSEN
- went snowboarding with my son
- appointed as treasurer of the Portland Fighting Fillies
- started a softball team and was coach/manager/player for 2 years
- grew my first vegetable garden
- bought a house
- sold a house
- built a fence
- found Zen Buddhism
- listened to the snow fall
- adopted the best dog in the world
- made the hardest decision of my life to put my best friend (see above) to sleep when she was very sick
- adopted a very vocal cat
- survived an incredibly dark depression that came close to ending my life
- have been blessed with many wonderful friends who have helped me through some rough times
- became a Godmother
- attended a silent retreat at a Zen Buddhist monastery
- celebrated my 40th birthday

I look forward to seeing what the next decade brings.

In team related news, due to a few last minute changes within the league we now have a new schedule. Unfortunately, we're back to played two teams quite a bit this season. It's difficult to not say that I'm dissappointed, but given the current economy it's to be expected. Coach Lum is trying to confirm a few more games for us so there may be a few more games added. So far, this is what we've got:

4/17: @ Central Cal War Angels
4/24: vs. Utah Blitz
5/1: vs. Central Cal War Angels
5/8: @ Utah Blitz
6/5: @ Las Vegas Showgirls
6/12: @ Utah Blitz
6/19: vs. Central Cal War Angels

We're guaranteed 8 games according to the WFA but obviously, there are only 7 on the schedule so I'm not sure what's going on there.

I would like to see Sacramento get back in the game, field a team and pay their league fees so they can play the half season that they've been hoping to, but we'll see what happens. We could also fly down to Los Angeles to take on the Pacific Warriors. I do hope Coach can put that together because I have a lot of family in that area. They may or may not come out to see it but it would be nice if they did.

The good part about this schedule is that we still don't clash with any of the Shockwave games. When we're playing at home they're playing away and visa versa. If we end up playing Sacramento on the date that Coach is working on we'll only have one home game that clashes. Part of me is hoping that we can schedule that game for another day so we, as a team, can go to the Shockwave game to support them, but we'll see.

I know that starting a new team comes with a lot of ups and downs. We just need to continue to move forward, focus on the game and make it a great season!

Nutrition

2009-12-31T16:24:00.000-08:00

This past week I made a point to eat healthier than I have been these past few months. My day job is above a pub where we get our lunches for free so I take advantage of that perk for financial reasons but in return I end up eating a lot of pub food. Since I'm a vegetarian I end up eating a lot of gardenburgers and french fries.

This sort of diet has helped my gut grow, needless to say.

So, in an effort to lose a little bit of fat and just feel healthier I switched things up this week and stuck with salads and soups, which I have to say were surprisingly tasty and very filling.

Today was a different story though. Today I decided to 'treat' myself to a gardenburger and fries. This afternoon I feel run down, sluggish and all around yucky.

I think I'll stick with the salads and soups.

Improvement

2009-12-28T23:20:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged in a while due to being incredibly busy with the business of the team. We've had a lot of fundraiser planning and other business to attend to, then the holidays got here and I didn't have much free time.

The team is on it's official practice break until the end of January but we're all training for Hell Week now. Hell Week is a circuit coach will run us through at least once a week for a couple of weeks, from what I understand. Our practices pick up, as well. We'll have three practices a week and we'll be padding up at the very end of January.

In the meantime, I've been getting to the gym at least 3 times a week if not more. The last few visits I was really having a hard time with my cardio workout at the end of my weight training session and have been trying to figure out the whole mind over matter thing with running. Tonight was a good night. A few months ago when I ran 1/2 mile I couldn't do it without stopping or slowing way down and completed it in 6:54. Tonight I ran at a steady pace the entire 1/2 mile and completed it in 6:15. I got off the treadmill with a smile on my face.

Finding this sort of small improvement is a great motivator for me. It helped me push through a block I've been having this past month and I feel really good about my training schedule and what I'm doing at the gym.

Tomorrow is a rest day (from the gym, at least) then back at it on Wednesday!

New Schedule

2009-12-15T15:39:00.000-08:00

There were some minor tweaks to the last schedule that I posted and this one my have a change here and there. Namely, we may have one more home game added to March 20th. So far, this is what we're looking at this year.

March 27, 7pm
Home
Idaho Falls
Liberty HS, Hillsboro OR

April 10, 7pm
Away
Boise
TBD

April 24, 7pm
Away
Sacramento Rush
Hiram Johnson, Sacramento CA

May 1, 7pm
Home
Pacific Warriors
Liberty HS, Hillsboro OR

May 8, 7pm
Home
Sacramento Rush
Liberty HS, Hillsboro OR

May 15, 7pm
Away
Boise
TBD

May 22, 7pm
Home
Central Cal War Angels
Liberty HS, Hillsboro OR

May 29, 7pm
Away
Las Vegas Showgirlz
Faith Lutheran, Las Vegas NV

June 5, 7pm
Away
Utah Blitz
TBD

June 12, 7pm
Home
Boise
Liberty HS, Hillsboro OR

June 19, 7pm
Home
Utah Blitz
Liberty HS, Hillsboro OR

June 26, 7pm
Away
Pacific Warriors
TBD

An Awesome Video

2009-12-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

One of our rookies, Tori Lopez, put this video together and I love it! Check it out!

Note to self

2009-11-24T14:51:00.000-08:00

When getting off caffeine, don't go cold turkey. Even if you only drink 2 cups of coffee a day, you still have to come off of it gradually. Otherwise, your head will pound as it is pounding now.

Be smart and stop trying to fix everything NOW. It's going to take time.

Finally

2009-11-23T20:57:00.000-08:00

I finally got back into the gym tonight and it felt good. Physically and mentally. Tracy sent the team a training plan that she got from a team trainer a few years back. It's awesome. I was sweating when I left the gym tonight and the first week is basically an evaluation week to determine your max weight. It was the conditioning that got the sweat pouring.

I've been struggling to get back to the gym, not only physically but mentally. There have been a lot of changes happening in my life and those changes have created a lot of stress, which is normal but difficult for me to deal with so I haven't been sleeping well lately. Needless to say, the gym has not been a priority of mine but it should have been. The best way for me to release that stress is at the gym. Plus, I always set high expectations of myself and when I don't reach them I stress myself out even more. I need to work on that.

I'm thinking it's time to give myself a bit of a detox beginning tomorrow, as well. Perhaps taking myself off of caffeine and eating healthier will help me sleep better.

Today was day 1 at the gym and tomorrow is day 1 on the detox plan.

Schedule

2009-11-20T11:56:00.000-08:00

This just in from Coach Lum:

Ok Fillies, Here is our league schedule. Now I can fill the byes. We have 14 weeks to play 12 games.

March 20 Bye
March 27 Bye
April 03 Bye
April 10 Bye
April 17 @ Boise
April 24 @ Sacramento
May 01 Bye
May 08 @ Fresno
May 15 vs Sacramento
May 22 vs Boise
May 29 Bye
June 05 @ Utah
June 12 vs Fresno
June 19 vs Utah
June 26 Playoffs TBA

I love having the schedule this early!

Women's Football Open Mic

2009-11-19T22:52:00.000-08:00

Women's Football Open Mic

Tonight I had the honor of hosting the first Women's Football Talk Open Mic night! I introduced our team and talked about the 2010 season.

Slump

2009-11-18T15:08:00.000-08:00

I've been in a bit of a slump this past week or so. I haven't been back to the gym since last Tuesday, didn't do much at practice last Saturday and skipped Sundays practice all together. I'm in the middle of moving and there's been a lot going on at work so my stress level has been through the roof. Somehow, I've turned into an insomniac so I'm really worn down, as well.

Hence my silence here lately. Mentally I am drained and I feel like I've got very little left physically. But, I have a new training program to start and am going back to the gym tonight to get it going and hopefully work my way out of this slump.

Awesome News In The World of Women in Sports

2009-11-12T13:53:00.000-08:00

I want to give a shout out to one of the owners of the Portland Shockwave. She's been selected by the Portland Football Officials Association to officiate a high school playoff game this Friday in Southwest Portland. That may not sound like it's anything special but it is. She'll be the first woman to officiate a high school playoff game in the association's 60-year history! An awesome accomplishment!

Congratulations Brisson!!

See the Oregonian article here!

Veteran's Day

2009-11-11T09:44:00.001-08:00

As a former U.S. Marine and citizen of this country, I'd like to thank all of those who have served and are serving our country and wish them all a happy Veteran's Day!

Here are some great ways to show your thanks to our veterans.

Rainy Practices & Frustrating Gym Nights

2009-11-10T20:53:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday's practice was cancelled and I have to say that I was grateful for the cancellation. I hope that coach didn't have anything bad happening but he said something came up that he had to take care of. It was a good thing practice was cancelled though because the rain was coming down in buckets on Saturday. Every street corner had flooding of some kind and it was just miserable out. I had also spent the morning in the gym with the team's personal trainer and was hurting from the stuff he put us through so staying on the couch watching football was all I really wanted to do. It turned out to be a good day of rest for me, which I needed.

Sunday night's practice was wet. Not as wet as Saturday would have been but it was wet just the same. We practiced under the lights at George Fox University in Newberg, OR. The lights weren't bright enough to really get the passing stuff going but we made due. I had expected Coach to run us through a bunch of conditioning drills since it was going to be a 3 hour practice but we ended up going through plays over and over so we'd get it memorized. It was good practice and made me think a lot about what was happening. I worked a lot on my explosion, as well. Last week in the gym, Tracy figured out what was slowing me down and pointed out to me that I'm rocking back before exploding up. It has to be a direct movement out of my 3 point stance and I haven't been doing that. It's in my head now so I work on it every chance I get.

Towards the end of practice Sunday night the rain started falling. We were still doing a lot of moving around so the cold didn't get us as much as it did Coach. He called it about 30 minutes early then told us Monday night at Football 101 that he was impressed with us and our lack of whining about the cold and rain at practice. He said the guys he coached always complained when it started raining. None of us said a word.

Even though Sunday's practice wasn't as physical as they normally are I took Monday off from the gym or any other sort of work out. We had Football 101 at the team office and that made my day pretty long. Plus, I haven't been sleeping all that well so it makes the days really long.

Tonight I went back to the gym and focused on mostly upper body. Chest and arms, mainly, with some things working the back muscles, as well. I felt myself get frustrated during the workout though. I was frustrated that I wasn't lifting more. I would try a weight that I thought I could handle then have to switch it up because it turned out I couldn't. I was trying to talk myself down because it is a new gym with different equipment but it wasn't working. I let my frustration take over and by the time I left I felt like I didn't get much accomplished. I know I did, but I probably could have done more.

I need to watch that sort of thinking that likes to take over my brain. I have a lot of things going on this week that I'm allowing to stress me out. Moving is a big one, then football stuff and work. Putting a new team together is a lot of work. We have a meeting tomorrow night to figure out the non-profit route and whether or not it's best we take it. It would be nice to get this figured out so we can move on and start working on big sponsors. Personally, I need to keep all of this in perspective and know that it is all taken care of so that not so good way of thinking doesn't infect my brain and pull me down. Those thoughts are sneaky like that. You've got to watch them.

Stay strong!

Team Training

2009-11-07T14:12:00.000-08:00

We're fortunate enough to have a personal trainer for our team. He's a friend of one of our players and has offered his services to the team for free. I'm excited about taking advantage of this opportunity because I've never worked with a personal trainer. It's not ever been something I've been able to afford.

I like that there's someone to push me to make that last rep or correct my form so I don't come out of training with an injury. I think, for the most part, I'm pretty familiar with strength training but it's not something I've studied for any length of time. It's good to have someone who knows this stuff though.

I told him my goal is to get big and asked him to put together some sort of nutrition plan to help me out with that goal. He's going to give me my intake needs and I'll take it from there. Being a vegetarian and having a non-vegetarian put a nutrition program together sometimes doesn't work as well as you'd like it to.

This morning myself and three other players met the trainer at a gym in Southeast Portland. He worked us hard. I was worried about making it through practice tonight but Coach just emailed everyone and cancelled practice. He had something come up and wasn't going to be able to make it. Plus, there's a huge storm moving through the area that's come with tons of rain and some thunder and lightening. That just makes conditions unsafe to practice in. It's supposed to be better, weather wise, tomorrow so we'll go for 3 hours tomorrow. Which generally means a lot more conditioning then normal. Which also means that I'm taking the remainder of the day to rest.

For the rest of the day I'm watching college football and hanging out on the couch. Life is good.

New Gym

2009-11-04T08:09:00.001-08:00

I found a really great deal happening at 24 Hour Fitness that ends today so I went ahead and took advantage of it. I've been working out at the neighborhood community center that's three blocks from my house but, as it turns out, I'll be moving this month to the outskirts of Portland. So, I needed to find a new gym that's close to the new home. There's a 24 Hour Fitness just around the corner from the new place.

Usually gym time for me is 'me' time. Time to focus on myself and getting stronger. It's a time that I really look forward to where I put on my iPod, crank up some motivating tunes, put my head down and focus on what I'm doing. It's sort of a way to center myself. Last night at the new gym I had a really hard time doing that though. I didn't take my iPod because I wanted to get a good feel for the place. Keeping all of my senses aware is important for me when I enter a new environment.

What I liked about this gym (I went to the one at Mall 205 this time around) was the selection of equipment and the amount of free weights they have available. Not only do they have a lot of free weights but there are a lot of benches, as well. At the small community center where I was working out there were two. Definitely a big improvement there.

I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking to this workout plan. Even in the face of moving and having to change things. Last night I wasn't able to make it to the gym until 9pm but I still did it. I could have easily gone to bed and skipped it all together but I didn't. I pushed myself and did what I needed to do.

When I said I was going to work hard to get playing time, I wasn't kidding. I turn 40 this December and I intend on making this one of my best years in football.

How To Get A Free Ticket To A Fillies Home Game

2009-11-02T14:40:00.000-08:00

The Portland Fighting Fillies believe that no woman should have to pay to play the sport of football. Because the Fighting Fillies are a non-profit organization, the players own the team. We believe that, through community outreach and philanthropy, promoting the sport of women’s football will support our common goal of promoting health and wellness in women of all ages.

The players on the Portland Fighting Fillies pay nothing to play. We pay the team back for the opportunity by volunteering our time to help make the team better. We all come from different backgrounds and skill sets, and use our various life experiences to help the team grow. There are, however, many costs associated with running this team. Field rentals, equipment & travel expenses (to name a few) are growing ever-higher. It is because of this that we have asked our players to go out and ask their supporters (family & friends) to support us.

Player sponsorships of $20 or more will receive:

(1) ticket, good for any home game in the 2010 season
Your name listed on your sponsored player’s bio page
Your name listed in our 2010 program

Please send us the following information with your check or money order:

Your Full Name:
Player you would like to sponsor:
Your Mailing address:
Your Phone Number:
Your E-mail address:
Would you like to be added to our electronic mailing list? (We will not sell your information.)

Please send the information above and your check or money order to:

Fighting Fillies
12750 SW Pacific Hwy. #203
Tigard, OR 97223

Thank you so much for your support!

Ouch

2009-11-02T13:21:00.000-08:00

This past weekend's practices were painful, to say the least. Painful but good. Saturday's practice was a bit thin player wise. Only 11 of us showed up for the Halloween day practice so coach decided to work us through a lot of individual drills. Translated that means "conditioning". We ran hills, we did sprints and a lot of blocking drills with some hand-to-hand combat stuff. That's where the bruising came in.

I like the fact that we're doing the hand-to-hand combat stuff before we get the pads on because it's toughening us up before hand and it's good insight into who will be a powerhouse in pads and who needs more work. As women, we are programmed by society to be less aggressive and less violent as our male counterparts so bringing up that primal aggression that I know we all have can be a bit of a challenge. But, it is possible. When I see a woman find her power and aggression on the practice field, it's incredibly exciting. It's a life changing event. When they take it to the gridiron on game day, it's what drives a win. It's the engine of the team. It's a beautiful thing.

I'm still sore from Saturday so I took today off from workouts and will attend Football 101 tonight with my teammates. Tomorrow it's back to the gym!

Great Interview By A Fellow Blogger

2009-11-02T08:37:00.000-08:00

Apryl DeLancey over at Women Like Sports did a great interview with me and has posted it to her blog this morning! Check it out!

You've Made It Possible

2009-10-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

I want to take a moment to specially thank those of you who have made it possible for me to attend this year's Women's Football Camp & Conference. Without your support, encouragement and belief in me I would not be making this trip. I am incredibly blessed.

Special thanks to:

Bj Coletta
Karla Fisher
Julie Greb
Cappy Harrison
Lannie Kali
Erin Makus
Karen Smith
Lexi Stern
Robin Tibbals
Lane West

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

Words of Wisdom

2009-10-29T08:42:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine posted this as a note on her facebook page. It was a good reminder for me. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is one of my many role models. He reminds me a lot of my Grandfather who passed away many years ago. Such joy and compassion fill this wonderful being's soul.

The Dalai Lama's 18 Rules For Living

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R's:
a) Respect for self
b) Respect for others
c) Responsibility for all your actions
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, only deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knoweldge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

Quick update

2009-10-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

The schedule that I created for myself and started last week turned out to be a bit overwhelming. I also discovered that I would not be able to afford the Bikram yoga after the introductory month so I have decided to change it up a bit. I will be going to the gym Monday, Wednesday and Friday and starting my days with Sun Salutations in the morning. I had to take tonight off, though, due to the fact that I tweaked my back a bit in practice yesterday. I iced it last night and laid on the heating pad for a bit then took some ibuprofen this afternoon and it's feeling a bit better tonight. Thankfully. All I could think is, "Please don't let me start the season with an injury!" That would really stink.

I borrowed a fitness program from a friend and am looking into starting it with some other teammates or just myself next week. It's pretty intense. There's an hour workout every night 6 nights a week. It's the P90x Extreme Fitness Program. If anyone has any experience with it, fill me in. I'd like to hear about it.

I booked my hotel room for the Women's Football Camp! So exciting!! I can't wait to see what this camp will do for me.

I'm off to Football 101 at the team office!

Women's Football Talk Interview

2009-10-23T13:44:00.000-07:00

For some reason I failed to post the link the Women's Football Talk radio interview that I did with one of my teammates. You can still go to the site and listen to the show here.

The interview was about myself and my teammate choosing to play for the new Portland team next season. I had a great time talking to BJ and Cassie and I think that we did a really great job with keeping things positive and focusing on the big picture.

Bikram yoga

2009-10-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know, Bikram yoga is a series of yoga poses done in a room that is heated to 105 degrees. This isn't a quick "do some stretches while in the sauna" type of class, either. It lasts 90 minutes. Not only is the heat good for sweating out toxins but it's also good for getting your muscles warm and flexible. This is the first time I've ever done yoga this way and it's been a while since I've been in a yoga class so this experience is good for me for lots of different reasons.

I went to my first class because I wasn't told anything about the heated room. Had I known, I wouldn't have shown up. Well, I would have because it was a team bonding exercise and a lot of the women from my team took the class, as well.

In that first class I focused on just staying in the room and doing as many poses as I could. Each pose is done twice so there was always the option to sit one out.

My second class was a bit of a challenge. I had a gyro for lunch that day (with a Boca burger instead of the meat because, yes, I am vegetarian) and it seemed to sit heavy in my belly through class even though class started at 6:30pm. I did the best I could through that class and made a mental note to stay away from anything even remotely heavy on the days I do yoga.

The third class was much better then the first two and I managed to get in at least one set of everything. Towards the end I did as much as I could and focused on keeping my heart rate calm through my breathing.

Tonight was my fourth class and I'm finding progress with each class. Going in to tonight's class I did something different. I took with me the intention of sweating out all of the emotions of the day. I was going to use the class as a meditation and a way to quiet my mind by focusing on my body. It worked beautifully.

Driving home (without the distraction of the radio) I thought to myself, imagine taking that focus onto the football field.....

Pictures

2009-10-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

I'm hoping to post more pictures in this blog and have set an intention to get shots not only from games but practices, events and work-outs.

This is from our second tryout in Tigard. That's Coach in the foreground and Laura is doing the strength test. I love the saying on the back of our shirts. I get a lot of comments from it when I wear it around town.

Doing warm up drills. That's Wilson in the front then me, Jessica and AimeeG.

I'm so fast I'm a blur! (That was a joke.)

Commitment

2009-10-19T13:56:00.000-07:00

Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.

- Vince Lombardi

Football is a commitment. Not just a few days a week commitment but an everyday commitment. It’s a high intensity sport that requires not only physical ability but mental ability.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a contact sport. It’s a collision sport. A hard hitting, fast moving, high intensity sport. It’s what I love about this game. It’s why I push myself to be better, faster and stronger. For my love of the game and my love for my team.

The challenge I face with my commitment to this game and my team is time. Time to get my work-outs in, get to practices and time to spend with my family and friends. We practice both Saturday and Sunday and next Monday will start Football 101 at the team office in the evening.

Recently, I started attending Bikram yoga classes and have decided to go to these classes three times a week. It’s been great for my mental game and for my flexibility. On top of these yoga classes I need to get in weight lifting time, which means the gym or doing things at home. So, I need to come up with a schedule that allows me to fit all of these things in and not take too much time away from my family and friends.

Fortunately, I work for a pretty understanding boss who will allow me to adjust my work schedule whenever needed so I’m starting to figure things out. Bikram yoga Monday at 6am and Wednesday and Friday at 4:30pm, practice on Saturday and Sunday at 4pm (which includes a lot of cardio and muscle building exercises) and home or gym exercises Tuesday and Thursdays either in the morning before work or in the evening. It's intense, but I think I can do it.

I’m starting this week and will keep you posted.

Getting there!

2009-10-16T10:20:00.001-07:00

I received an incredibly generous sponsorship this morning and was able to register for the Women's Football Camp! I am so grateful and so excited!!! So far, I've received enough sponsorships to register for camp and I have half of my airline ticket.

I am blessed with amazing, wonderful and caring friends. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Getting Personal

2009-10-15T13:05:00.000-07:00

It's always been difficult for me to ask for help when I need it. I'm usually the one who steps up and helps others when they need it and have, in that respect, put myself last on the priority ladder.

I've been grappling with asking for help getting to the Women's Football Camp because I know there are others out there who need help more then I and in different ways. There will always be others less fortunate then I.

Knowing that, what I keep coming back to in my mind is this: playing football has saved my life. Literally.

Last year I experienced a lot of loss in my life. So much that it sent me into a depression so deep and dark that I was, quite honestly, considering ending my life this past January. Fortunately, I have a really good friend who got me into therapy and pushed me towards living again. I picked myself up and pushed myself into going to my first football practice. It took a lot to get myself out of the car once I got there. But, once I got inside and started practicing with everyone I felt alive and strong and empowered. Things I hadn't felt in quite a long time.

The passion that I feel about playing this game and paving the way for girls growing up now is intense. So intense that it's all encompasing. I pour my heart and soul out for this sport and my team. If I have a chance to make myself better, faster and stronger for a sport that I love and a team that I love then I have to take it.

If I had the means to pay for all of this myself, I would be doing what I could to help others go. The fact is, I don't and I'm not fully supported by all of my family in my decision to play this game so asking for their help is out of the question.

Yes, I am a woman who's almost 40 years-old playing a game that's looked at as a man's sport and I could seriously injure myself. No, I'm not getting paid to play like the guys in the NFL. But right now my payment from playing comes in the form of life itself. Honestly, what more could I ask for?

Women's Football Camp - Please Help!

2009-10-12T12:15:00.000-07:00

As a player on the Portland Fighting Fillies Women’s Tackle Football Team, I am looking for personal sponsors to help me gain valuable experience at the National Women’s Football Camp and Conference on January 7th-10th, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the only camp in the world dedicated to elevating the Women’s game of football.

Your sponsorship will not only help cover the cost of the Camp and Conference, it will insure that I am able to bring my experience back to my teammates, coaches, and management staff. Please help me achieve my goal of $500 dollars to enable me to participate in the Camp and Conference and making my dreams of helping Women across the country, play football. Click on the Donate button under the Fighting Fillies logo to become a sponsor.

Thank you so much for your support!

Women's Football Camp & Conference

PS - If you'd rather not use PayPal shoot me an email at wendikali@gmail.com and I can let you know where to send a check. Thanks!

Ready To Hit The Gym

2009-10-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

Regardless of differences, we strive shoulder to shoulder... [T]eamwork can be summed up in five short words: "We believe in each other." ~Author Unknown

One of my teammates posted this on the team's facebook site today. I love it so I'm posting it here. This is what I've been hoping for. The feeling of being a part of a team.

Tonight I have a pretty intense work out planned for myself. Well, intense for me at this stage in the season. A combine agility drill (x5), a half mile run and lots of weights.

This Sunday Afternoon

2009-10-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

I've been asked to be a guest on the internet talk show Women's Football Talk! I'll be talking about my decision to play for the Portland Fighting Fillies this season. Catch the show this Sunday, October 11th at 3pm PST! Click here to listen to the show!

First Practice

2009-10-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday was the day of the last tryout and the first practice for the Portland Fighting Fillies. We have a total of 35 women on the roster! There were 24 of us at practice, which is an awesome turnout! Everyone is excited and ready to make this team a competitive West Coast addition to the WFA.

I wish I'd kept more disciplined and stuck with my work-out routine through the off season but this early start on practices with help me get back to where I need to be. I'm putting myself on an 'every other day' work-out schedule from here on out to get ready for the season. Lots of weights, conditioning and agility drills. I will get my place on the line!!!

My New Team

2009-10-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

After careful consideration and a change of perspective I have decided to say good-bye to my Shockwave teammates and join the new team that is forming here in Portland. The Portland Fighting Fillies is one of many new teams in the Women's Football Alliance this season and I will be a part of their inaugural year.

When the article came out in the Forest Grove newspaper about the new team, I admit that I was a bit angry and very concerned about what it could do to the Shockwave. Another teammate of mine on the Shockwave, who has been a part of the team for the last 8 years, was also concerned and sent out an email to the team trying to get them to rally around each other as a team and get them excited about doing more to get the Shockwave more attention. She asked everyone to let each other know what we were doing during the off-season to make next season better. Myself and one other person responded. That was it. Out of a roster of 38 women. Needless to say, I was very disappointed and it wasn't the first time.

I expected to hear from the owners or the coaches after the email about the new team was sent out, as well. No one said anything about it. No words of encouragement to stay, no words of appreciation, nothing. When I finally did hear from them it was to be scalded for not having more participation in a golf tournament fundraiser that felt like was put together last minute. My reaction to that email was, "Yes, more people should have participated but be accountable for your mistakes as well." The email made me feel like I was being talked down to and I certainly didn't appreciate it.

After talking to the teammate that sent out the email trying to rally everyone together, I decided to drive out to Forest Grove to attend the first tryout for the Fillies. After meeting with the coach and hearing about the plans for the season and feeling the energy and excitement coming from all of the coaches who were there, I was hooked. I felt like I found the team that I wanted to play for from the beginning. The tryout was tough. It was just like the NFL tryouts and I hurt afterwards. The other 6 girls who were there cheered each other on through all of the drills. It felt like we were already forming a bond.

The second tryout brought more of the same. More excitement, more encouragement and more team bonding. There was also media attention. A sports reporter from the News Register in McMinville came out to cover the tryout. She wrote an awesome story that was published this past Wednesday. Coach is receiving all kinds of inquiries about the team now and the word is out about women's football in Portland. The Shockwave received coverage in that article as well because the reporter talked to me for a bit during the tryout and I told her about my first year with the team. Who, where and when we played, etc. You can check out the full article here: Joining A New Football Frontier

This Sunday is the last tryout for the team for the 2010 season. After the tryout we have our first practice. Coach has already explained to us that he's going to run us hard. We will condition and practice from now until the beginning of the year then we'll put our helmets and pads on and get down to hittin'! Everyone starts on the same level every year. Everyone has to work for the position they want to play and the coaches will move us around to positions they think we'll do better in because it's about the game. We want to make this first year a fantastic year.

I can't even tell you how excited I am about this season. I feel like I am a part of something big and we are all in this together. It feels like a team already and we haven't even begun practicing yet.

New Season, New League, New Team, New Blog!

2009-10-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

I will be back to tell you all about the changes happening!