TORDA'S SPRING JOURNAL

TCU senior midfielder Jackie Torda will give fans an inside look into the TCU soccer program this spring with her spring journal...this is the first of many entries:

We have been in spring training now for about three weeks and I think I can say it has been the most intense three weeks of conditioning of my life. We have all been pushed to another level, not only physically, but also mentally. It has been nice to see all the hard work everyone has been putting fourth. Our team is really growing stronger together.

Coming back from Christmas break, we wasted no time and jumped right into fitness testing. The testing is a variety of running and strength assessments that include the mile run, 40-yard sprints, max bench press, max leg press, the Wingate and the dreaded Vo2 max. Of course, Chelsey Wilgenburg dominated the Vo2 max. Her fitness level never ceases to amaze me. Kelsey Walters is the queen of the leg press and Kristen Halverson has arm muscles that would put even some guys to shame.

After our first week of classes and testing, we were able to enjoy a three-day weekend. That Saturday night was Lauren Edwards' birthday. We all celebrated by going out for sushi. A special thanks goes out to Elise Kensinger for bringing the delicious Hello Kitty cake.

Our second week of training went extremely well. The running was really tough, but everyone made it through alive. We ran countless numbers of 300-yard shuttles and for some reason Chelsea Cody and Lindsay Holmes never seemed to show any signs of fatigue. Our mornings on the track consisted of various 800, 400, 200 and 100-yard sprints. There were times when we all felt as if our legs were going to give out, but we were able to push through with the help and encouragement of our teammates.

Things have been a little different this semester compared to others because we have changed our schedule to morning practices instead of our normal afternoon practices. We are out on the field by 7 a.m. each morning with our cleats on and ready to work. Sometimes it is tough waking up in the morning, but once we're up, it's easy to muster up some energy. Plus, it's nice to be able to have the rest of the day to go to class, get study hall hours in and run other errands. Many times though you don't get to the errands without a quick power nap.

With our first few weeks of offseason training down, you can bet that we are all counting down the days to our first match next fall. All the work we are putting in now is sure to make us stronger for the 2010 season.

"If you are going to be a champion, you must be willing to pay a greater price"- Bud Wilkinson

GO FROGS!Jackie Torda