Nikewomen NFR Blog

Baby It's Cold Outside

SarinaMorales — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:05:03 GMT

Sad to say, but summer is over. It’s getting cold. You brave ones can venture out for your runs. Make sure you are all bundled up. As for the rest of us, I’m not suggesting skipping out on your run, but as the sun rises later and falls earlier, there is a lot less time in our day to be outside for our workouts. There will be days that getting that extra 15 minutes at the gym will get cut to just five minutes.

I’ve just wrapped up my second program for the Nike Women’s Training Club, and I must say, thank goodness for this! This summer was a disaster here in New York. It practically rained everyday and there were days where I just had nowhere to go but to the refrigerator and the television. As someone who needs to stay active and who also works from home, taking time in my day to be out and moving is vital.

Ladies who are at school and then coming straight home to do homework, it’s best to take 40 minutes to an hour for yourself to workout. Since I finished my last program, I honestly feel results and it’s real results because they are lasting. I’m anxious to start my next core program. The core-training program compliments my daily run because you need a strong core to run longer distances. My runs have gotten easier. My body feels stronger. I’m ready to take on my next challenge.

The best advice for getting through the workouts is getting your friends to come over and do them with you. If it’s for just those 30-40 minutes that you get to spend time with them, it’s worth it. I’ve found working out with the girls helps keep me motivated. My personal favorite is the Training Widget you can download. I downloaded it onto my desktop and it’s made my life a lot easier. When I’m away from my computer, I always have some great jams to rock out to while I get through my training session. The widget has five tabs: a Delicious calendar, your own personal training information, information on new gear on Nikewomen.com, videos and specialized information for new products, and a tunes tab with some great music to keep you pumped whether you are just sitting at a desk or watching which workout you need to do next.

Enjoy your last days of warmth, but fear not the cold! This year, your beach body doesn’t have to disappear with the warm weather. You’ve got the Nike Women’s Training Club to take with you anywhere you go and to keep you strong throughout the winter!

-Sarina

Go herehere to sign up for Nike Women's Training Club

Keep the Game Alive

SarinaMorales — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:00:12 GMT

It’s the fastest growing sport in the United States and it’s women like Andrea Duran, who are keeping the sport alive. In 2012, softball will no longer be a part of the summer games. A hard hit for the game of softball, but not something that should keep women from participating in the sport all together.

“There’s still the national team!” Andrea says. “There’s more to be said for the sport outside college and we should keep high expectations for women who play softball.”

Andrea, in addition to her hard work and dedication to the game, is balancing her third base position for the National Team as well as her job as Director of Operations for her university softball team out in California.

Whether or not softball ever gets reinstated into the summer games, it’s a good sport to play in addition to whatever other athletics you are into. Throwing and catching a ball is great work for hand-eye coordination. Sprinting to the bases is a great workout for your hamstrings and core. Hitting a softball is awesome for working on your concentration, and is probably one of the best ways to get out some aggression. Go to a batting cage if you are stressed out. All I need is a good 30 minutes and I’m in good spirits.

It’s the different parts of the game that when brought together, can make you an overall better athlete. Andrea ran track and swam before choosing softball as her main sport. I played volleyball and basketball in the off-season. If nothing else, after watching this video, you will realize that softball is amazing simply because no other athlete can pull off the lawn mower better than Andrea Duran. I’ve been working on my moves in my free time.

-Sarina

Nikewomen.com Featured Artist: AC Newman

SarinaMorales — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:00:55 GMT

He’s what the doctor prescribed. He paints a picture, he tells a story. AC Newman puts you in a place where you are “Just out of the woods and yelling down the mountains...” It’s carefree, it’s not going to weigh you down and puts you in healthy thought and contemplation.

AC Newman is such a delicious taste of pop music, that once you have one bite you’re going to want the whole plate. His music is pure substance. You’re getting your veggies, carbohydrates and proteins all on the same track. If you dare listen to the whole album, I’d say you’re much healthier than you were yesterday.

My favorite song on his solo album is Like a Hitman, Like a Dancer. I listen to it when I go on my long runs in the morning.

Like a hit man,
Oh, Like a dancer
All muscle.

In his cozy Brooklyn apartment, books wrap the walls, paintings bring color to the not so sunny days and his guitars are ready to be picked up to drown out the sound of busy traffic. I sat with him, sipping coffee realizing; I’d never had to leave his apartment to find inspiration. The shelves all have small pieces of art that shined from the light of the big windows. I felt at home. This calm and peaceful life comes through his music.

His latest album Get Guilty involves the sounds you want to hear when you ride your bike down by the river on a sunny day. He sets the tone for that time when you indulge in ice cream after a good softball game in the summer. He whistles, sings and plays with fun upbeat tunes that just get you in that perfect mood. Do yourself a favor and Get Guilty with the fun and lighthearted sounds of AC Newman.

-Sarina

For a limited time only download "Prophets" by A.C. Newman for free right here on Nikewomen.com

The Perfect Pair

SarinaMorales — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:00:11 GMT

Without yeast, your bread won’t rise. Without milk, you can’t eat your cereal. Why would you just have jelly without some good ol’ peanut butter? Did you ever see a runner, run without a good pair of sneakers? No! So it’s no surprise that figure skaters Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker make the perfect match.

They complement each other just like any other match made in heaven would. They fit so well together because they both train about six hours a day to capitalize on each other’s strengths. It’s an especially exciting time for the duo, because they are preparing for their first winter games competition!

Because Rockne is the foundation to Keauna’s tricks and twirls, his training includes tons of workouts specific to building muscle and staying flexible. Keauna’s off-ice training is drastically different from her counterpart, working on staying lean and light while also staying strong. Despite their very different off-ice training routines, when they take the ice together, it’s as if they were never separate.

Physically they are a perfect match as well as mentally. They put complete trust in one another. Keauna says Rockne is “like an older brother to me and I have complete trust in him to catch me whenever I get thrown.”

I know your probably thinking; why don’t these two just compete solo? It’s because they prefer to compete in pairs. There’s no question they are good alone, but why would you just have milk when you could add chocolate to it?

I see how much fun Keauna has getting tossed around on the ice, performing with someone else seems so much better than performing alone. Keauna noted it can get pretty lonely out there performing on your own, and who better than to have her “rock” skate with her to compete.

This year when your watching the 2010 winter games, look for the new peanut butter and jelly on the ice. They are one great pair that brings out the best in each other. A routine so tight, this couple is just right!

-Sarina

Never Under Estimate a Good Two-Step!

SarinaMorales — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:00:39 GMT

I don’t know if you realize this, but professional athletes are good at what they do. Let’s not forget, they not only play their sport better than most if not all, but they learn how to handle themselves in situations outside of sports. This includes things like answering reporter’s questions or having their photo taken on and off the court. One of the hardest situations an athlete has to do cope with is injury. After popping my hamstring in high school, I thought for a moment, I’d never walk the same way again, never mind run. To this day, I’ve undergone some painful situations playing with my still broken figure. It’s rough, but injuries are an aspect of sport we cannot overlook, it happens.

World-class heptathlete and 100m hurdler, Michelle Perry, has faced her own injuries as well. In fact, she’s undergoing surgery this year for a previous injury. With that said, Michelle’s smile shined bright as ever as she walked into the room at our interview. She remains so positive and says she’s doing her best to stay healthy. Sounds like basic strategy, but dude it’s hard. Injuries are nothing to sleep on. One wrong injury can really mess you up.

It’s after my conversation with Michelle that I’ve compiled three basic rules to help keep us all injury free in the next year. I’m sure you’ve heard of these rules before, but constant reminders are necessary!

Rules #1: Silence is Golden. Don’t talk in practice.
Those who’ve been caught talking during practice and were punished for it, you know how crucial it is to not talk! You will run extra. Coach will not have her team chatting away while she is conducting practice. Even for a gold medalist like Michelle; she told me her hardest practice was when she was talking with a teammate during her run. “After that practice, I kind of passed out.” Let’s keep talking to a minimum! Passing out is not an option.

Rule #2: Stretch.
Stretch for a good 15 minutes before you start, but never stretch a muscle for more than 10-15 seconds at a time. Michelle uses a pool to do her workouts to avoid excess aggravation to any particular muscle. If your not feeling loose, try and avoid overstressing muscles. Plus, who doesn’t love going for a nice swim after a sweaty workout?

Rule #3: Learn your Dance.
With the excessive amount of new dances that have come out, I’d say to be weary of which ones you can handle. Dancing is a workout within itself and if you’re going out after a long day of practice, taking it easy on the dance floor may be a good look for you. Keep it simple. Michelle likes using the two-step. It’s is a great way to avoid excessive movement and still keep with the party. It’s Michelle’s favorite dance move because you just can’t go wrong!

-Sarina

My New Friend!

SarinaMorales — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:00:37 GMT

I have a new friend! (Ian, don’t worry, your still in my top five.) My new friend helps keep me motivated, helps better myself, and is always around when I’ve got an extra hour to kill. Yes, my Nike Training Club iPhone application gives me everything I need to keep me in shape no matter what time it is or where. (You didn’t actually think I was talking about a person did you?)

This is the application that’s going to make you want to start your New Year’s resolution early. Want to get in shape? You can and really easily. If you are lacking some motivation to work out, you’re a busy person or just don’t have the right tools to get started, download the Nike Training Club iPhone application. Since you’re always carrying your phone on you, you’ll always have the option to work out. Just like a good friend does, this application makes my life a whole lot easier. I can train on my time. The workouts actually make me work up a sweat. Most importantly, it’s easy to do because it has video tutorials and a timer to get you through each workout.

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t become part of the Nike Training Club experience. Say goodbye to the days of hassling your roommate to go to the gym with you, you got your own built in workout buddy right in you iPhone! It’s all about helping to bring out the best in you! Isn’t that what friends are for?

-Sarina

Nikewomen.com Featured Artist: Kid Sister

SarinaMorales — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:00:02 GMT

All of the kid sisters I know, are always taking their older sibling’s things, trying to mimic their older sibling’s style and really annoying. This is at least, how I was when I was a kid sister. However, don’t let this Kid Sister’s name fool you.

She’s the trendsetter of trendsetters. She’s coming up in the rap industry and she’s already making changes. Unlike the kid sisters we typically see imitating others; she’s rocking a style everyone will soon be trying to follow, both fashionably and musically.

She makes her own rules to the game. She’s bringing back a style I didn’t think would make it back. She rocks those acrylic long nails you can only get done at the salon and puts tiny objects on them. She puts electric purple in her hair. At one point she was platinum blonde. Chunky bracelets, hats, sunglasses, short overalls with bright belts and leopard skin shoes. She has every decade in her closet.

Her music, which also gives flavors of many different tastes, spurred from growing up in a family where music had a strong presence. It was actually her brother, DJ Flosstradamus’ success as a DJ and his traveling, which led her to dabble in the industry herself. Although she’s a late bloomer to the game, she has enough good people around her leading her to the road of success. Her biggest single, “Pro Nails” was a hit two years before her first album was released. She’s really excited about her first album. It’s a new side to rap. Her music encompasses quick beats you can dance to and lyrics about nails and beepers. It’s fun, it’s young and it’s fresh!

My favorite part about Kid Sister, a.k.a Melisa Young, is she’s real, fun and has skills outside of music, especially in dog training! Although she does have some kid sister tendencies; taking influences from different places and looking to her brother for advice, it seems like she’ll be paving the way for the next group of young women.

-Sarina

For a limited time only, download Kid Sister's "Right Hand Hi" right here on Nikewomen.com. Also be on the look out for Kid Sister's album "Ultraviolet" when it drops November 17th!

Never Too Late

SarinaMorales — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:00:36 GMT

Most winter athletes we hear about started skating,racing and training when they were still in diapers. I know skaters who move better on ice than they do walking. Growing up, I always had this misconception that in order to compete at a high level, you had to be training in that sport way before you thought about even competing. Even outside of sports, the rush to finish college and start our careers makes it frustrating to the millions of other people who are still trying to figure out what they like and really enjoy doing. Whichever route you decide to take, despite my distaste for clichés, it’s thanks to women like Katie Uhlaender, who give me reason to believe it’s never too late!

For those of you who think it’s too late to pick up a new sport or a new career, and excel at it, Katie Uhlaender started competing as a skeleton slider when she was eighteen years old. She was a baseball player growing up and switched out of it when she realized she would have to switch to softball to play at a collegiate level. Her father was a professional baseball player, so she definitely has some athletic genes in her blood, but her fearless attitude and crave for speed, well...that’s all her.

She practically stumbled across the sport when she was on a mountain taking jumps and someone suggested she try skeleton sliding instead. Now at 24 years old, only six years since she started the sport, she’s competing at the world’s highest stage. She quickly dominated in skeleton racing, being national ranked by winning both the National and Junior National Championships in her first season! Katie competed in her first winter games in 2006 and slid to a sixth place finish in Torino. In 2006, she also won five gold medals in the World Cup, claimed the overall World Cup Crown, and by 2007, she placed first in the World Cup Standings. There’s even been talk that she’s the absolute best skeleton racer there is.

High up on a mountain with nothing but a light body suit and a helmet for protection, she bursts off running, onto her bobsled, down the track, headfirst at speeds up to 80 miles an hour. For her, this is what she calls, “relaxed chaos.” For anyone else watching, this is a woman who’s found her niche and is not looking back. It really is never too late to pick up, start new and excel! I’m looking forward to seeing Katie speed her way through Vancouver with a gold!

-Sarina

Drop Like Confetti!

SarinaMorales — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:00:18 GMT

They are bright. You can decorate them with glitter, but usually, they come already decorated. Find them in a variety of colors; sometimes with painted designs on. And I’m most positive; they are found at parties and other social gatherings. They seem to decorate our everyday lives. Yay for Vistoso Bosses! Wait you thought I was describing confetti?

The ladies of Vistoso Bosses are all over the place and landing in some spots in the music industry, I don’t think confetti could reach...for obvious reasons. As the girls dance their way to the top, you should note there’s no stopping them. They are literally, dropping like confetti. Can you tell “Confetti” is my favorite song of theirs? The single, “Confetti” is fun and upbeat, much like the girls themselves.

I’m not sure if it’s the music or maybe their style. They have one of the most unique styles because they are not scared to push the limit. In fact, “There are no limits,” the girls say. They believe, “Fashion should be fun. Save an hour of scrambling for clothes to go out, and just put on whatever you pick up.”

You want freckles, put them on yourself! What was makeup created for? Stickers, go for it! Sounds wild? Check their website, they have tons of fans who are already following their style.

They dance, they sing, they rap, they dress...they’ve got nothing but good things going for them and they’ve covered all the holes. Bright with style and energy, decorated with glitter, colorfully designed and spicing up your next dance party… pop on some Vistoso Bosses! I think we can all add some Vistoso to our lives.

-Sarina

Lisa Leslie’s Legacy

SarinaMorales — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:00:44 GMT

She’s one of the only women to dunk in a game and now she’s one of the only women, scratch that, she is the only woman to own her very own pair of shiny gold Nike dunks! In celebration of her final regular season game, Nike sponsored a Lisa Leslie Legacy night. Grandma and the rest of the family came out and cheered for Lisa as she received gifts, signed autographs and was honored by some of her old teammates and coaches… you know your big stuff when Magic Johnson shows up to your final regular season game.

She’s arguably the best woman to play basketball and it seems like the limelight never affected her. In all the basketball games and various sporting events I’ve attended, I’ve never seen a player go above and beyond like she did. She not only signed tons of autographs, but she took off her shoes she wore in her game, signed them, and gave them away to a fan. She signed a ticket for a woman so far up in the stands; for sure, I thought she wouldn’t get noticed. Lisa caught the ticket that fluttered down, signed it and handed it to security to make sure it went back to the right hands.

What Lisa did for the game of basketball seemed to come back to her on this night. Fans threw her flowers from the stands. The sold out arena all cheered for her while wearing t-shirts that read, “Pass the Ball to the Girl.” Nike designed the tees specifically for Lisa’s Legacy Night. “Pass the Ball to the Girl” is a phrase Lisa remembers well. As a 6’2”, 14 year-old, although height was on her side, the boys on her team weren’t. Her teammates disliked the idea of a woman playing so much; they refused to pass her the ball. One game, Lisa had no other choice but to steal the ball from her own teammates just to score a point! From then on, fans that watched her play screamed, “Pass the ball to the girl.”

Fans and memories filled the arena, while teammates spoke about Lisa’s impact to the game, on and off the court. Lisa’s smile shined bright as she said, “I am truly humbled.” The game hadn’t even started and I was practically in tears watching her give the fans a farewell thank you.

It was obvious Lisa had a lot of support from her family and I now also know where Lisa gets her competitiveness. Her grandma said, “Lisa may be MVP of the court, but I’m MVP of the kitchen.” Being the best must be something that runs in her family.

-Sarina

It’s Not Where you Start, it’s Where you Finish!

SarinaMorales — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:00:25 GMT

I’m not going to lie, I was pretty nervous. Not that I wasn’t ready, but you know how you always think “If I ate this… or ran that extra 8 feet” I would be better prepared. Funny, despite my frustration in my pace, (I ran 8 minute miles), I realized I ran way more than a 10K for this year’s Nike + Human Race.

As usual, I somehow underestimated the time I needed to get somewhere. Brooklyn isn’t that far from the Bronx. It’s a borough. I figured I wake up at 4:30 a.m., get in a meal, digest, and be ready to leave my house my by 6:00. That all worked out fine, but for some reason when I left my house it was 6:30. I also didn’t factor in time for parking. In other words, I was running a bit late.

It worked, I mean; some people think its good to start a race at the starting line...my thought, why not start the race where I park my car...a mile from the start. I’ve been training; I might as well just start now. It made the race a bit more interesting actually, since I had no idea where I was going.

It was my first long distance race. I trained for sports before and ran, but a 10K isn’t something to overlook. It’s over six miles of good running. I convinced my boyfriend to run the race with me. He was a cross-country runner back in high school, and because of our competitive nature, I figured there would be no problem pushing ourselves through the finish line, come race day.

Unlike the other thousands of runners getting prepared to run at 8 a.m. down by the starting line, my boyfriend and I decided to warm up back on 2nd street. We ran any which way to find the start. “Follow the people in red,” we were told. Thank goodness the runners all wear the same red shirts. I think we warmed up with a good mile just to get to the start of the race, and then before catching our breath, off we were again, the race started. Now in the midst of the 11-minute milers, we felt like we needed to catch up with the seven and eight minute group. Off we go again… through everyone. We were running as if we didn’t have another five miles to go. Both of us are just way too competitive to let people pass us, despite the fact that we both agreed; we were only running this race for fun.

I caught a big cramp in my right calf muscle towards the end of the race. But, it was such an amazing feeling, (not the cramp, the race.) I ran hard through the finish line and finished strong. It was great to share my first race with someone I knew, but I felt like I shared the run with so many more people than just my boyfriend. The running community in the world is such a tight group of people. I even saw a woman during the race that I met when I was in San Francisco for the Nike Women’s Marathon.

I shared a moment with all these people who appreciated running as much as I did. I ran with the world that day, even though I ran a bit more than everyone else. It’s even better. It gave me an edge. I’m ready for my next race. Maybe another 10K? Maybe a half marathon? No matter what race I decide to run, I recommend that everyone sign up for next year’s Nike+ Human Race. This race is for everyone. It’s not only for the runners; it’s for the athletes that no longer have a stage to compete on. When you stop playing competitive sports, its hard to find something to compete for, this is the race to do that. It’s for the competitive person, it’s for the person who wants to stay in shape, it’s for the runner in all of us. My only suggestion, whatever race you run, consider public transportation.

-Sarina

Nikewomen.com Featured Artist: Florence and the Machine

SarinaMorales — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:00:50 GMT

“What do I love? I love cycling, staying up and watching the sunrise, having an adventure and somehow changing clothes. I love a good wedding, choirs and cut flowers. I love jewelry, junk shops and painting, postcards and Billy Holliday.” Florence Welch loves many things, but it was actually her love for the boys that lead to her success.“

When I was younger, I wanted to impress boys. I liked guys in boy bands.” Florence, who always had an itch for music, found writing lyrics was a great way to impress the men. Go figure, she now has more than men impressed with her music. She has millions of fans, men and women, boys and girls all over the world in love with Florence and the Machine.

In a calm and mellow voice, she admits, “I seem to be singing all the time.”

Her soft and flowing voice floats when you hear her sing. She has a strong voice that carries over the sounds of the instruments, without being over bearing. It’s bliss. The best taste of her voice is in the song; I’m Not Calling You A Liar.

“I’m always getting in trouble for singing out loud… I don’t realize I’m doing it. I can’t help myself.”

Beyond her voice and music, there is her fashion.

“A good t-shirt is like gold dust.” Florence, who admits to spending her life dying her hair, is a woman who has no limitation when it comes to fashion.

“My hair is red and I’m dressed like a Victorian, 60’s, Goth.”

A mixture of fashion unknown to many, but it’s who she is, and from the sound of it, she’s quite content with how things are turning out.

Florence and the Machine sell a number of uniquely designed tote bags and shirts on their website and let me not forget…have been nominated for the very prestigious Mercury Prize. Although the group is London based, you can find Florence in the streets of New York. Her mother is American, and is happy to say she has family in New York City.

“I always have somewhere to stay.”

The energy in New York City will keep Florence international for quite sometime. Make sure you check Florence and the Machine’s tour schedule. They may be hitting up your area soon!

-Sarina

For a limited time only download "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" by Florence and The Machine right here on Nikewomen.com

Stay Dry, Stay Fit

SarinaMorales — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:00:36 GMT

When I train, I work up a sweat. It’s the only way to do it! Burn and feel good! With that said, wearing comfortable clothing to work out in is key. As an athlete and a woman, comfort and style are just two aspects to finding that perfect t-shirt you wear to the gym. For me, I need color. I need comfort. I need stretch. I need cotton!

I mean, hey, if you want color...you can get color! But if you also want comfort...we got comfort. You want stretch? We got stretch. You want to stay dry from sweat? You can stay dry all day. What else do you want? A Dri-FIT cotton tee! With the Dri-FIT Cotton Tee, you are getting more than just a colorful shirt that looks good. These shirts are 62 percent cotton and 100 percent wonderful. They have a little bit of spandex to keep you from feeling limited with your workout. They have tons of color to help you feel great, and they come in tons of different designs so you can literally grab a bunch and rock a new one everyday, no sweat!

Stop wearing your everyday t-shirts to the gym. They do you no justice. To get technical, these Dri-FIT Cotton Tees aren’t your everyday cotton tee. They are made with a micro fiber, polyester fabric that wicks the sweat right off your body. As a result, you stay dry and comfortable as you get through those tough workouts. You are wasting your time trying on clothes to work out in. All you need is your music and a Dri-FIT cotton tee and you are ready to go. The last thing you need is to have your clothes keep you from doing that extra push up or curl. Get on it sister! Grab that tee and I’ll see you at the gym.

-Sarina

Lacrosse: Just Do It!

SarinaMorales — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:00:52 GMT

I played basketball for years. Softball, I was on the all-star team. Volleyball, dude I was team captain. Baseball, sign me up. Lacrosse… ummm. Going into a situation of unfamiliar territory is a bit concerning. It’s always been a sport I wanted to try; I just wish I had a bit more time to practice. Then again, jumping into something and just rocking out with whatever you’ve got is priceless. Well, and the girls helped.

Out in Portland, where the sun shined bright and the wind blew just right, I met up with the Lacrosse Northwest club team. The girls, with equipment in hand, were ready as ever when I showed up to the field. Despite my apprehension and concern, I felt extremely comfortable. (Concern, not just for me, but also for the girls, who I feared would need to duck if I accidentally threw the stick) Both the coaches and the players made me feel right at home.

An athlete is an athlete. You pick up things and run with it, literally. I learned so much that day; I now know why parents like to throw their kids straight into the water to teach them how to swim. It works! (Maybe not always with swimming, but definitely with lacrosse.) It’s fast paced, you need a lot of endurance and most importantly, you need confidence! Nothing you can’t pick up along the way. You’ve got to just do it!

As I continue my year journey as the Nike Field Reporter, I know there will be many more unfamiliar situations for me. As for lacrosse, my favorite part is definitely the tricks. They aren’t easy, but the creativity and innovation that goes into some of the tricks are awesome! I’m looking forward to using a couple next time I get myself out on a field. I feel a bit more broken in.

As with any new sport, teamwork and the vigor to just get in there and make mistakes is the attitude you need. Thank you to the ladies who helped make my first lacrosse experience worthwhile and good luck in your season!

-Sarina

IT'S MORE THAN A GAME

SarinaMorales — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:00:56 GMT

It’s more than a ball; it’s a utensil to score a point. It’s more than point; it’s step towards a win. It’s more than a win; it’s an experience. It’s More Than a Game; it’s the fans, the movie, the struggle and the passion for playing. LeBron James is more than a basketball player. He is an influence. He’s young and understands his role in basketball is more than being a player.

Out in Hollywood, where the movie stars roam, there is a new movie star rising. Sports, music and the big screen all mixed together for the final stop on the More than a Game Tour. Reigning MVP, LeBron James did it big, as he always does, to promote his new documentary. He traveled to three continents in just over two months for his world tour, The More than a Game Tour. It began in Chicago, where he bounced from coast to coast, country to continent, and concluded in Los Angeles.

His tour brought light to his movie, but also stressed the importance of the game to local youth. LeBron met with thousands of young basketball players all over the world to encourage teenagers to keep at basketball using good old grass root basketball activities. They had street ball tournaments. There were lots of contests and tons of free t-shirts! He also raffled some of his new Air Max LeBron VII shoes and invited some big name stars to come out and support his tour.

Each stop on the tour was more than just about him. It was about the kids that look up to him. LeBron is so young and already a huge influence to people our age. It’s great that he was able to bring his stardom down to reality. It takes a lot of practice to be good at the game, but it takes a whole lot of heart to share that game with the millions he has on this tour.

-Sarina