Chicago Marathon

What an experience!!! I went to Chicago this weekend to run in the Chicago Marathon, 10/10/10. Since, I hurt my knee playing soccer, I couldn't run the entire 26.2 miles. I did about a forth of the race and then cheered on my friends and ran with them for the last two miles. Watching a marathon, brings so many emotions: inspiration, sadness, pride, accomplishment, defeated. I will run a full marathon once my knee heals!!! Watch out. :)

5:30am before the race...not sure if we are awake yet!!

Renee's Birthday Dance!!!

Work it girl! Work it!!!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Beer Olympics 2010

The 3rd Annual Beer Olympics!!! My friend Nichole chose me to be her partner in memory of Ben May. The pressure was on because Nichole and Ben won the previous two years. We were team BRASIL this year and we won!!!!! Phew, I really wanted to do this for Ben and I think he was proud of me. There were six games which consisted of blind bowling, beersbee, beer pong, ladders, corn hole, and washers.

TEAM PERU!

Christ of Redeemer

CHRIST OF REDEEMER

Team GALAXY

The city of RIO DE JANIERO

Sugar Loaf Mountain

We took two gondolas to get to the top of the mountain. Here is looking down for the first ride.

The City

Copacabana!!!

BOTAFOGO

We went to a professional club teams facility and then to their match. Here are some of the most famous players with their club.

Their Championship Trophy!

Press conference...

Suz and I on the pitch!

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!

The team I helped coach won the entire tournament. We were the only USA team to even make it to the finals. Pretty self rewarding and a great experience.

All the girl coaches. Me, KC (coach of older girls), Suz and Vivi (Brazilian Assistant Coach)

Natalie (MVP of tournament...golden boot) and Amanda.

Ole Brasil FC

We entered in the Zico Cup tournament in Ribeirao Preto, Brasil. This was at the Ole Academy. Players from Brasil live at this academy all year long playing soccer and competeing. Definitely, different from the USA.

Futsal is another form of soccer in Brasil. This is indoors on a court and only five players on each team. Definitely fun to watch and play.

Capoeira

We had a traditional Brazilian dance group come perform for us. They taught the group some moves. Capoeira is a form of dancing that is martial arts fighting. Definitely, interesting to watch.

Brasil 2010 - Itu

We stayed at a Sport Spa Resort in Itu, Sao Paolo. The facility was fabulous and the grounds were beautiful.
The soccer pitches!
The garden/workers break room.

The Zen Palace. This is where I stayed for the first three nights, while all the athletes and other coaches stayed in the hotel dorms.

The Dorms.

The pool.

Our Budda at the Zen Palace!

KOOZA Cirque Du Soleil