Nike Women Blog

NTC Superuser Spotlight: Danielle Wagner

NIKEWomen — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:45:47 GMT

A former first team All-American goalkeeper on the soccer field and academic all-star in the classroom, 24-year-old Danielle Wagner is the ultimate double threat. Since graduating at the top of her class in 2009, the Chicago native has kept busy by exercising her brain at her marketing job, and clocking in major minutes on her Nike Training Club (NTC) app. Danielle previously worked as a fitness specialist and trainer, and is dedicated to promoting healthy life practices in her community. So naturally we jumped at the opportunity to chat with this go-getter and discover her secrets for staying proactive. Here’s what she had to say:

How long have you been using NTC? How many workout minutes total have you logged to date?
I’ve been using NTC since April 2011 and have logged 4,730 minutes to date.

What's your current workout schedule with the app?
I’m an early bird, so I workout before work at 4:30am Monday-Friday. Saturdays I go to the gym around 10 a.m. and I take Sundays off. Mondays and Thursdays I do a 30-minute NTC workout along with 30 minutes of cardio training. Tuesdays and Fridays I do a 45-minute NTC and 20 minutes of cardio. Wednesdays and Saturdays are “ab” days, so I do a 15-minute NTC ab workout and 60 minutes of cardio.

What are your favorite NTC workouts?
I love Li-Na’s Toning Workout and Jeanette Jenkin's Ab Blast, Kickin’ It, The Cinch, and Endurance Master workouts, but I like to change it up and incorporate other NTC workouts into the mix.

What’s your power song?
“Heart of a Champion.”

What motivates you to work out with NTC?
I was a two-time All-American soccer player in college, so I needed to find something to keep me in shape like soccer did. NTC is like a coach that keeps me active and allows me to perform athletic workouts just like I used to for soccer. I’ve always been a fitness enthusiast, but NTC makes it so easy to change up workouts and stay in shape.

Tell us about a defining moment you had as a result of the NTC app.
After college, I trained for a half marathon because I thought it would motivate me to stay healthy and compete, but I got really bored with the monotonous training. I completed my first half marathon in 1:54:45, but thought I could do better. That’s when I started NTC training, and I absolutely loved it. After a while, I decided that I wanted to run another half marathon and signed up for one, but it was only a week away! The only training I did for it was my regular NTC routine, and those 13.1 miles felt great! I finished in 1:48:35 and I attribute my endurance and strength to NTC. Running a sub 1:50 half marathon was a great accomplishment, and it made me realize that I was benefitting aerobically, physically, and mentally from NTC training.

What’s your training motto?
Live Strong. Train Strong. Run Strong. Be Strong.

Who is your favorite Nike athlete?
Mia Hamm. She did so much for women’s soccer and for me as a young girl growing up. A lot of women wouldn’t be where they are today if it weren’t for Mia Hamm and the rest of the US Women’s National Team that led the way in the 90s. The growing popularity of women’s soccer started with their dedication to themselves, each other, the country, and the sport. Mia Hamm was a great role model when she was in her prime as an athlete, and she still is today.

What’s your favorite piece of Nike training apparel?
I love my Nike Lunar Glide 3 Running Shoes… I have three pairs!

What’s your favorite pre-workout snack?
A Golden Delicious apple.

What's the best advice you've ever received, and what advice would you give others as a result of your NTC experience?
The best advice I’ve received is to make every minute count.

The advice I would give is to stop saying you’ll do it later, because later turns into tomorrow and tomorrow turns into never. Just do it now and you’ll feel great later.

In one word, how would describe your overall NTC experience?
Invigorating.

The X-Tra Edge

NIKEWomen — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:45:07 GMT

Different sports have varying levels of impact, which is something Nike’s designers took into consideration when they set forth to create the Victory line of sports bras. No detail left unnoticed, they created a collection that would cover women’s full range of needs. Ideal for high-impact sports like soccer, tennis, and basketball, the Nike Victory Adjust X-Back Sports Bra offers maximum support and features an adjustable chest band and straps so you can personalize the fit. Its lightweight design and mesh panels provide optimal breathability, making the sports bra a top contender in comfort as well as support, so you can forget what you’re wearing and focus on the game.

To get superior support for your sport, shop the Victory Adjust X-Back Sports Bra here.

For a chance to win, check out today’s giveaway on twitter.com/nikewomen.

Nike Women Chats W/ Soccer Star Megan Rapinoe

NIKEWomen — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:00:09 GMT

She’s an icon in sports and style, from her signature moves on the soccer field to her trademark bleached pixie cut (that even has its own t-shirt!). The spunky soccer star brings energy and entertainment to the U.S. Women’s National Team matches, where she’s known for dancing on the sidelines and engaging with the crowd, not to mention scoring some critical goals. Megan recently returned to her college town of Portland, OR--where she excelled as a midfielder on the UP Pilots—to film an upcoming feature for Nike Sportswear’s "Always On" series. We had the privilege to sit down and chat with Megan at a coffee shop close to her old college campus. She filled us in on what kind training she can’t stand, what her goals are for the upcoming year, and her favorite post-match meal (hint: It isn’t yogurt and granola!).

NW: How did your interest in soccer begin?
MR: My brother played soccer, so I wanted to do everything he did and I followed him around for a while. I actually grew up across the street from a soccer field, so everything was set up just right for me.

NW: What would you say helps you excel on the field?
MR: I think my personality comes out a lot on the field. I tried to be creative and entertain the crowd, and interact with them and have a relationship with them as much as possible. I try to stay positive and be relaxed and have fun!

NW: How many hours a week do you train?
MR: Our (U.S. Women’s National Team’s) training sessions are usually an hour to two hours, twice a day, five or six days a week.

NW: What kinds of cross-training do you do during the offseason? Do you have any favorite workouts?
MR: Admittedly, I’m not a huge runner. I love to go to the beach, hike, ride my bike or go swimming--anything not to run!

NW: What’s your favorite post-exercise meal?
MR: Probably a hamburger and French-fries!

NW: You travel a lot with your team. What’s your favorite city you’ve been to?
MR: That’s really hard! When I was 19 I had a youth championship in Thailand. We were on the southern beaches for three weeks, it was so beautiful.

NW: What goals have you set for yourself for the upcoming year?
MR: I want to qualify for and make the world championships, and hopefully be a starter for all the games.

NW: How would you describe your personal style?
MR: Comfy and casual, but I still like to get dressed up. It’s so nice to get out of soccer clothes. We are in soccer clothes and soccer gear all the time so any chance I have to express my personal style, I take it. I’m a big accessorizer. I’ll wear a plain t-shirt and jeans, but then accessorize with tons of jewelry and oxfords and hats.

NW: What’s one item you can’t live without?
MR: My Blackberry.

NW: What’s your fave piece of Nike training apparel?
MR: We just got the Nike Legend Tight Fit Training Pants in our training kit. A lot of the other training pants are huge and get stuck in your cleats, and these are so light and tight so I love them!

Can't get enough of Megan? Us, either! So stay tuned to our blog for more behind-the-scenes actions from Megan's video shoot, and her guide to the season's hottest sports styles.

Your Guide to Marathon Season 2011

NIKEWomen — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 16:00:03 GMT

Marathon season is underway, and there’s much to be excited about in the coming weeks. With major events like the Chicago Marathon this Sunday, and the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco on October 16, thousands of runners from across the country will be lacing up their sneaks in support of some great causes.

At tomorrow’s Chicago Marathon, three of our favorite female athletes are trading in their cleats for running shoes and are teaming up to relay the race. U.S. Women’s National Team soccer players Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, and Alex Morgan will be taking their dynamic energy and perseverance from the soccer field and bringing it to the streets.

"I am so excited to be part of the B of A Chicago Marathon!" Alex told us. "I’ve heard that it’s a great event with electric energy and I’m always inspired by seeing other athletes, no matter what sport, compete at a high level. It will be a thrill to see the heart in all the runners, especially close to the finish line."

They’ll also be tweeting about the experience the entire time, so be sure to follow them on Twitter at @hopesolo, @AbbyWambach, and @alexmorgan13 to get all their updates and show them your support! And there’s more exciting news for our twitter friends; anyone who tweets about the Chicago Marathon—whether it’s a message of support to the runners, or a shoutout to your fave participating athlete—and uses the hashtag #OwnChicago will have his or her profile picture added to a giant mosaic that will live at Niketown Chicago and online on the Nike Running Facebook page. So take to your Twitters and get the word out on tomorrow’s big event!

Are you gearing up for any marathons in the upcoming months? What do you do to prepare for the big day? If you aren’t currently registered for any big races, have you ever considered running one? Between dedicating yourself to tough training, running the race, and contributing to excellent causes by participating, there are few activities as positive and ultimately rewarding as a marathon. We want to show our support to our community members who are getting ready to run, and encourage others to sign up and get started. That’s why we’ll be featuring complete coverage from the Nike Women’s Marathon, marathon training tips, a guide to the hottest running gear this season, and more, so be sure to check back with our blog frequently.

See you on the racetrack!

A Winning Attitude

AshleyMacha — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 00:27:12 GMT

For some athletes, competition is about strength, endurance or stamina. For others, it’s also about attitude, and sometimes, these POVs can be so inspiring, they deserve to be worn loud and proud. That’s exactly why Nike Women created the “Attitude From You” contest, which invites consumers to create strong, catchy slogans for consideration to be made into an actual t-shirt for the Nike Women community.

The latest round of “Attitude From You” included a special twist: in support of the Women’s soccer championships taking place in Germany right now, the May “Attitude From You” contest asked fans to create a mantra that inspires and motivates them when performing under pressure. Professional U.S. Soccer players Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan served as the judges, tasked with choosing a line that would help rally the U.S. Women’s soccer team on their quest. From the 813 submissions received, the entries were culled down to a Top 10 based on online votes from the community, then sent to Carli and Alex for the final selection process.

19-year-old Denise Lobelle from Lynbrook, N.Y. came out on top. An avid soccer player and Women's team fan, Denise, submitted her crafted line, “Legends Rise Under Pressure,” which made the final cut. The winning t-shirt was created exclusively for the U.S. Women’s Team to wear while competing in Germany, and also distributed at elite Nike Soccer camps held across the country. Plus, 20 tees were put aside for Denise to share with family and friends.

On June 28, Denise and a few of her friends were invited to Times Square in New York City to attend an ESPNW / Nike Women watch party for the U.S. team’s first game. She also got her first glance at the final printed tee, and we revealed to her that her line would also be featured on a billboard in the heart of the city, featuring Denise’s all-time favorite player Abby Wambach.

Needless to say, Denise was thrilled, and so are we. Stay tuned for more Attitude From You contests in the coming months.

Ashley M. (@NFR_AshleyM)

Pressure Makes Us

RachelHorning — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:54:48 GMT

Pressure is a fickle word. It's one of those that can be a noun or a verb. As a noun, it's still intangible. It's something in our minds. We feel pressure because we put it there. As a verb, it may still be intangible, but we are no longer the ones applying it. As a verb, I think of it as someone physically pushing me, whether that means mentally, emotionally, or physically. To pressure someone is to literally push or force them.

Pressure is necessary. Food needs to be cooked with the precise pressure in order to taste the way we want it to. Our atmosphere is constantly adjusting its pressure to acclimate to the Earth. Our vehicles operate only under specific pressure. It borders on the edge of exciting and dangerous. Too much or too little, and you won't achieve desired results. But the perfect amount can create the perfect outcome.

The U.S. Women's team is feeling some pressure; though they’ve qualified in years past to participate, they haven’t actually won the cup since 1999. As they head to this year’s event following an intense 1-0 win over Mexico, the U.S. team has their sights set on winning it all – and proving they deserve to be there.

Now we have a chance to help them on their journey by generating the perfect amount of pressure to fuel their efforts. We want them to know we're counting on them, but also that we're rooting for them. Here’s how to get on board: login in to your Facebook account and visit the Pressure Makes Us tab on the Nike Women Facebook page, upload a photo of yourself, and customize it with an uplifting message.

The team has been given special iPads with an exclusive application that allows them to see all of the submissions to encourage them as they duke it out in Germany. I created one with a photo of myself from when I was little and wrote, “Remember where you came from,” as I think it’s important to recognize the struggles and victories you've had along the way to give you strength to face what is coming.

They’ve brought home the win before, and they can do it again. So start creating and send our girls some love.

-Rachel Horning

US National Team Prep For Germany

GevrinaSeferaj — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 22:15:57 GMT

Playing for the Women’s National Team is not easy. You have to be at the top of your game, ready to compete and impress the coaches.

With the World Cup right around the corner, the national team wastes no time getting ready for this anticipated series of games. To be the best, you have to believe you are the best. I can definitely say that after spending a couple days with at Women’s National Training Camp, I know that they all have this motto in mind.

The team is filled with very determined young women who want to bring honor to our country and I respect them for striving to bring us such glory. Each woman is fueled by their passion for the game as they practice twice a day. Carli Lloyd, Lindsay Tarpley and Kelley O’Hara are all currently training to make the final roster in April/May.

They are all focused in making it to Germany and admit that there is no room for slacking off. They mean business! While training can be intense I wanted to know a little bit about what kind of tunes they’re interested in. I know they like to dance so I figured I would find out want jams they play on their iPods. Lindsay relies on “whatever her brother puts on her iPod.” Kelley on the other hand likes all the good mainstream music that we are all guilty for, especially when we’re stuck in traffic!

Next, I want to dig into their social life. Do they facebook or tweet? Lindsay and Kelley are both on facebook but don’t tweet. Carli on the other hand is a step ahead in the social network realm and is on Twitter. You can follow her @Carlilloyd for more of the inside scoop on the journey to the World Cup 2011. I even suggested that Carli teach the other girls how to tweet.

-Gevrina

On the field with the U.S. National Team

GevrinaSeferaj — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:10:53 GMT

If this year’s Men's Cup left you wanting more well never fear, Women’s Cup 2011 is here! I can’t wait to see some of my favorites hit the field in Germany! I’m hoping Nike will send me out there to cover the games since I consider myself to be tight with the Women’s National Team after I spent a couple of days with them at their training camp in Atlanta,GA.

Right when I got there I saw my girl Whitney and of course we made eye contact across the field and started dancing.I mean what girl doesn’t like to dance and have fun? I know the WNT enjoys a good dance before they go out to play or after a big win.

As I waited for the WNT to step onto the field and begin to practice I wanted to start playing with them. I realized within two minutes that my dream would never come true...let’s face it...they’re just too damn good.

So while my dream of being part of the WNT never came close to true I did get to interview the girls and hang out. What more could I ask for?

I hung out with Ali Krieger who plays in Germany and speaks it fluent German after living there for a couple of years. She tried to teach me some German since I love to be international and all.

After failing to speak German, I went on to kick it with Megan Rapinoe and her teammate Tobin Heath. If you’re looking for the best soccer than you can definitely find it at the WNT! There is stellar athlete after stellar athlete (a little intimidating).

Stephanie Cox, a defender from the WNT admits that all the girls at the training camp have a talent that when they all come together, they make up this amazing team. Not only are these girls hungry to make it to the World Cup, but they are all passionate and ready to push themselves and each other.

Ms. Heath is known on and off the field for her tricks. Although she couldn’t show off some of the tricks she due to an injury she was still able to give us a little teaser. Her teammates told me to check one of her trick videos online, and let’s just say next time I see her, I’m gonna ask her to teach me at least a basic trick.

So, that leaves us with six months until the first game of the Cup and I can’t wait!! Make sure you cheer all these ladies on as they prepare for the WWC 2011.

-Gevrina

Whitney Engen And Casey Nogueira Show Their Moves

GevrinaSeferaj — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:20:24 GMT

The sport of the world, soccer or as most call it football, is a game that is very passionate and respected.Since I was very little, I remember seeing both my Colombian and Czech families get excited for the game.

Slowly I became a fan and always dreamed of doing soccer tricks. My desire to want to play was quickly replaced by one of just being a fan. As much as I would have loved to play soccer growing up, the opportunity never really presented itself. But to this day, I am an fanatic! And when the World Cup comes around, I am completely submerged in the event. Soccer truly brings countries together.

Soccer has even united soccer players Whitney Engen and Casey Nogueira who showed me their moves on and off the field when I came to visit them in Chicago. Their friendship is like no other I have seen in sports. They know everything about each other and can even finish each other’s sentences.

These best friends gave me the inside scoop on their training, their mental and physical preparation, as well as their fondest memories with each other. Turns out these two Chicago Red Star players like to have dance parties in the locker room before games to pump the team up.

They taught me how to 'Pop, Lock, and Drop It' (Whitney's signature move) and how to 'Pancake it' (Casey's signature move). They even suggested I attend one of their pre-game dance parties to show them what I can bring to the dance floor.

This friendship is definitely contagious!

-Gevrina

Hope Solo says BOOM!

GevrinaSeferaj — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:08:11 GMT

Hey Nike World! If you were wondering where this fantastic job has taken me, well let’s just say I flew across the country and made friends! That sounds odd I know, but hear me out. I started the weekend by flying to Philly, city of cheese steak sandwiches and the “Rocky” steps.

Sunday came and I was pumped, I mean who wouldn’t be pumped to be on a Nike commercial TV set with the one and only soccer Rock Star Hope Solo?

When I arrived I noticed the heat was unlike the sunny California weather I’m use to, but that didn’t matter because I was about to interview Hope Solo.

Boy was I wrong neglecting the weather because as I waited for Hope to finish her photo shoot, I got a bloody nose. A man came up to me and said, “You must be from California?” I was going to leave it out of my blog post, but I said to myself, “This is a once in a lifetime experience and I got a bloody nose before the interview? What is this?”. It was total comic relief; I felt great and just made the best of it.

Hope was great! Super charming and has a great presence on and off camera. We made our way onto the field and we both mocked each other for wearing the hottest clothes for that day. Apparently we didn’t get the weather memo.

Aside from the 200+ extras that were there, the cameras, the TV set, the heat, and Hope (of course), the coolest thing that I really enjoyed was when I spoke to Hope about how she bounces back from a mistake that she might make during a game. She answered that she simply tears a piece of grass from the ground and tosses it in front of her saying, “just let it go.”

I took this to heart and now any time something doesn’t go as expected, I simply say, “I’m just gonna let it go”. So Hope, thanks for that piece of advice!

-Gevrina

Nike Stadium

SarinaMorales — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:15:05 GMT

Like any driven athlete, there is always a story that motivates us as sports fanatics and competitors. In celebration of the World Cup 2010, Nike opened a soccer themed space for those who need a stage for creative expression or looking for inspiration.

I attended the grand opening of the Nike Bowery Stadium and I was impressed with the artistic and creative feel this location provides. The opening was celebrated with drinks, munchies and a short film directed by Spike Lee and Jake Summer. Legendary singer and songwriter Sting was even in the house! The Nike Stadium will not only be a place for creative athletes ,but will be the new home of the Bowery Stadium sports programs, including the NYC Bridge Runners, Goodtimes FC soccer league, Nike Recess Federation and more!

The first floor of stadium is an open area with two large flat screens on opposing sides of the walls. The current space displays some memorable soccer moments as well as the latest new soccer boots and apparel. Although soccer is the current theme of the space, it will feature other sports as well. It’s a sports fan's dream come true. Downstairs, the basement serves as another creative salon but with a more functional purpose. A paint-splattered locker room is located on one side and will be used as a hub for participating sports teams and programs.

Nike Stadium will be open to the public Thursday to Sundays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 276 Bowery in the Lower East Side in Manhattan. Besides NYC, Nike Stadiums are also currently established in Tokyo, London, Milan, Berlin and Paris. If you’re looking for a creative space to invent, create or play, Nike Stadium is the place to be and is open for all!

-Sarina

On Her Day Off

SarinaMorales — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:00:23 GMT

She flew in from her game in St. Louis, to Los Angeles over night only to wake up the next morning to pose and train for a Nike Delicious Training photo shoot with photographer Ben Watts and Nike Trainer, Marie Purvis. What may seem like normal work schedule for a famous athlete, took place on her one and only day off in weeks. And yet it’s women like world-renowned goalie, Hope Solo, who seem to never stop.

Talk about scheduling!

I met with Hope, who at the time was sick with a cold, not long before this shoot.. I told her I'd try and bring her coffee, her favorite drink, to help her wake up for the shoot… something she could at least look forward to.

She is the quintessence of a strong woman: tired and sore and on her only day off from work she still comes with all the energy to rock out her Nike Delicious Training photo shoot. Unlike the stereotypical photo shoots filled with glamour and elegance, this Nike photo shoot involved sweat and vigorous training. Not to mention, she worked with Ben Watts!

For those that have never experienced Ben Watts, he's quite the guy to get you going. He puts you in the mood. He’s enthusiastic. He yells, he screams. He makes you want to not only look passionate, but feel it.

Hope said herself, “This is the funniest shoot I've ever done.”

It's normal to hear Watts shout phrases like “It's your birthday” or “Dance for me.” I had to teach Hope how to do the running man after Ben asked her to dance for the camera. It was entertaining to watch, as well as a very unique experience for Hope.

Hope was a great athlete to choose for the Delicious shoot. Hope portrays the assets of an athlete worth recognition. She’s an aggressive goalie and not afraid to speak up and call plays on the field. She also possesses a friendly and glowing personality off the field. She’s an athlete that actually takes time to read her fan mail and admits she has even written back to some.

When she's sick, she still wants to be out playing. It’s like she never sits still. No wonder her favorite drink is coffee. If you want to be a top goalie like Hope Solo, you’re going to need to work pretty hard. She definitely sets the bar high, even on her day off.

-Sarina

Fun Questions with Hope:
1. Pecan (PEA- CAUN) or Pecan (PEA- CAN)? PE-CAUN

2. If you had to get a new haircut, would it be a party in the front or a party in the back? FRONT

3. Sing in the shower? YES

4. What's more embarrassing, getting caught wearing PJ's playing soccer or owning soccer PJ's? OWNING THE PJ’s

Incomparable

SarinaMorales — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:00:20 GMT

“I can’t compare it to anything else,” Carli Lloyd says. And who could? Carli Lloyd and Hope Solo, two of the 24 all star players on the U.S. Women’s National Team, are looking forward to a new year. With the World Cup in 2011, this year is an important qualifying year for the team. Every year has something new in store… So I ask myself, is there really anything else I could compare this experience to?

I used to play on a club baseball team. It was a small men’s league with only 10 teams. It was a unique experience, however, because I was one of two women to ever play in the league. I felt like a role model for all the younger girls in the neighborhood. I had a couple of local fans, but I still can’t compare my experience to the thousands of young women all over the world who look up to the U.S. Women’s National Team.

I remember sacrificing so much of my time to play baseball. Then again, so do players like Hope Solo and Carli Lloyd. Hope Solo never makes it in time for her boyfriend’s birthday. Carli Lloyd hardly sees her boyfriend in general. Imagine all the Christmases and other holidays missed. Imagine all the time away from home. Remember, each of these players on the Women’s National Team also play on individual professional teams as well. Despite my Saturday afternoons spent on the field instead of the pool, these women are training and maintaining their bodies 24/7. They are no strangers to 11-day boot camps and 90 minutes of strenuous training. These women perform at the highest level and it shows through their dedication and sacrifice.

I met with Hope and Carli at the Women’s National Team practice out in Los Angeles. With evidence of the day’s practice running down their faces, they sacrificed their well-deserved down time to answer some fan questions. This is all part of a day’s work… just another Tuesday.

No, Carli is right. There is nothing you can compare the experience to. Traveling all over the world and competing against top-level athletes, as a full-time job, is a dream only a handful of women will ever live out.

-Sarina

What Will You Do For The Game?

SarinaMorales — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:00:17 GMT

“I missed my brother’s wedding,” Abby Wambach said.

Shannon Boxx gave up three other sports she loved to play in order to focus on soccer, her true passion.

They train physically and mentally every day and made plenty sacrifices to count to be on the National Women’s Soccer Team. Did you think these women have things easy?

Abby, a forward, explained it best: “It’s not a job you can call in sick for.”

Despite the sacrifices, “Having the opportunity to play for your country is amazing,” said Shannon, a midfielder. Representing your country seems to make all the time and hard work worthwhile.

The women of the U.S. Women’s National Team often work off the clock to be the players they are. I met up with Abby and Shannon at the Women’s National Team 11-day training camp in Los Angeles as they prepared for their next season. They both explained that although they cannot imagine their lives without the game, it is not the easiest career path to choose.

I watched a 90-minute practice of non-stop power play, and couldn’t imagine going through that every day. These women also need to juggle their time in between national competition and working for their own professional teams in the Women’s Professional Soccer League.

We all know having one job is hard enough. Now imagine working two and balancing an always-changing schedule. Imagine making quick decisions in front of loud crowds and keeping a stable mindset as you keep everything together.

Then again, this is what they want to do. These women do not play soccer so they can one day have a 9-to-5 job. They are part of a strong group of women who each have a deep respect and love for each another and who have made great sacrifices to be part of the National Team. Currently, these women have their sights set on qualifying this for the 2011 World Cup. Being part of the Women’s National Team is like playing in an all-star team full time.

For Abby and Shannon, it’s the times they are competing on a global scale in front of fans who truly admire their athleticism that keep them coming back for more.

-Sarina

Looking Forward

SarinaMorales — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:15:13 GMT

“I would have given up all my Christmas gifts to have this,” Landon Donovan admits. For the opening of the Niketown NYC Bootroom, professional soccer superstar, Landon Donovan expressed how awesome it is for soccer players to have the help and access to the new Niketown Bootroom, which provides customers with everything soccer as well as the ability to custom boots in the new Nike ID Bootroom section. Some of the new soccer boots Nike has developed are just a few of the latest products you can check out at here.

“We want to be comfortable. For young people, I know it’s all about how cool your shoes are, but having both performance and looks makes things says that much better.” Landon said.

Landon, who is currently setting his sites on the 2010 Cup, took the time out of his busy schedule to help promote the Niketown Bootroom and come speak to young soccer players who wanted to know about his training, his mental game and to get an insider’s opinion on this summer’s big tournament. Landon and three other professional soccer players including Clint Dempsey, Jonathan Bornstein and Robbie Rogers took part in a question and answer session with ESPN’s, Rob Stone.

The draw resulted in the USA facing up against England next summer in the Cup, but it was the young soccer players and the excitement that filled Niketown NYC that really set the stage. Crowds filled all five floors of Niketown to get a chance to be in the presence of this huge event.

While everyone was waiting to pick Landon Donovan’s brain, I got the inside scoop on his life.

When Landon isn’t out and about, he’s home training. Whether he’s training as his virtual self playing video games ,or physically working out, he says before he sets his sites on South Africa, he needs to begin to develop a strong base.

“I do a lot of different training…a lot of unorthodox training.” I don’t think he was referring to playing soccer video games, but more along the lines of using Pilates and structural alignment work that helps optimize his body with core strength and endurance.

I was a bit surprised when Landon said he uses Pilates, but it’s true. Who’s to question a man who leads his professional soccer league in goals and assists? He must be doing something right. I think it’s his mental capacity thatreally impressed me over his training. Back in 2002 when Landon first appeared in the Cup, he said he was just happy to be there. In 2006, he felt a bit more pressure to perform well, and people had higher expectations for him. Now in 2010, I think he’s got it right.

“I’m going back to my roots and now that I have the experience, I can use that and have a good time playing,” Donovan said.

For all you soccer players who are preparing for their next season, you have something to look forward to! Come check out the new Bootroom at Niketown NYC and find out how you can optimize your look and play for next season.

-Sarina