Week Two of training was a trying week. We put a great deal of effort into coming back from break and demonstrating through hard work and sweat that we hadn’t lost the edge, but we needed to give the same energy all over again. Classes piled homework on us all, and there were already projects looming that would consume a large part of our time. However, we had to focus and ensure that we were on top of that aspect of our lives in order to devote 100 percent to practice.

Our assistant coach, Ted, told us something last Friday at circuits that stuck with me. He said that when we practice, every second counts. During circuits, each exercise lasts 45 seconds with a 15-second transition. However, sometimes it might take a second or two before we began, whether it be to catch our breath or get into the correct position. What Ted was trying to convey was that we can’t get that second back. We could have gotten in one more rep, one more rep that could have moved us one inch closer to the finish line ahead of our competition - mainly Western Washington. I believe that his comment stuck with everyone, because at this week’s circuit practice everyone transitioned quicker, some began before the 15-second rest ended, and some simply ensured that they were ready to begin when the time was called.

Changes - good, positive, inch-earning changes - were made by most if not all of my teammates, including myself, and that’s the attitude that is going to take us to Camden. As Week Three commences, I think the team as a whole realizes that we have to push extra hard in order to not fall behind over break. Our mantra: What is Western Washington doing today?