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Tuesday August 3rd , 2010 WHAT DAY IS TODAY? Waking up at the Romantic hotel in Panevezys Lithuania, I lost track of the day. They all seemed the same. We did not look at a calendar for our schedule, we follow the daily plan of practices, team meals and meetings. Soon, all the days blend together. Only Game days are distinct. Before looking for the date, I tried to figure it out. I mentally reviewed the facts that I knew. We flew to Lithuania on Saturday July 31st. Our game against Lithuania was Monday night. Last night was game day so that made this morning Tuesday. It seemed like Sunday. But Sunday seemed like Saturday and Saturday seemed like Friday. Back in Prague both Thursday and Friday seemed like Saturday. None of them seemed like Wednesday. Really, the only thing I was 100% sure of was that breakfast was 8:30am.
Our plan was for 8:30am breakfast and a 9:30am regeneration run around the lake just outside the hotel. Conditioning coach Ladja Hojka led the team through the workout. It was a beautiful sunny morning. Our team felt good about the performance last night. The guys knew we had a light workout and travel day ahead but two days off waiting at the end of the trip. Pavel and I decided to join the team for the light running. Ladja started the official clock and the team opened the morning run with two laps around the lake. I dont know how long it was. Halfway through the first lap, Lubos Barton ran along side me and we talked things over. We kept pace steady in the second tier behind Ladja and the gym-class-hero's along side him in front. It was a nice comfortable run. As our run entered the home stretch, Lubos and I decided we would sprint to the front of the line and win the race. Of course it would be a surprise to everyone who did not realize we were racing. Picking up the pace, we made up ground. As I came up on the outside of the leading group, they heard my footsteps. But I timed my kick perfectly and blazed right by the leaders into the start-finish area. Ladja instructed the players to begin their stretching as I made sure everyone knew who finished the two laps first. We completed the morning workout with a five minute run which I finished second to last as I took an easy pace running with big man Ales Chan. After the regeneration run and stretching, Pavel addressed the team with his important points. We all hustled up to our rooms to shower up and pack. Checking out of the Romantic Hotel, Egis and Vladimir sat with us at a table outside as players emerged from the doorway one by one. We loaded up the bus, said good bye to Egis and embarked on the hour and a half bus ride back to Vilnius.
Apartment buildings in Vilnius The ride back to Vilnius was just as quiet as the ride to Panevezys. We stopped at McDonalds once again for more Big Macs and Big Tasties. After the short stop, we hopped back on the bus. Unexpectedly, Vladimir yelled to me, to come sit down front. He was taking us on a surprise tour of Vilnius before dropping us off at the airport. Only Pavel knew of the tour and kept it quiet. I hustled down front and sat shotgun while Vladimir drove us through the city. Snapping off some pictures of different buildings or sights, I was very happy to see Vilnius. Most road trips for a basketball team are all about travel to gyms and hotels. It was great we could enjoy a short bus trip around the city with Vladimir acting as the tour guide.
View of Vilnius from the bus
Skyline of Vilnius
Hesburger value meal
Downtown Vilnius was clean and cool.
Vladimir took us on a city tour of Vilnius before our flight back to Prague! Arriving back at the Vilnius airport, we checked in and prepared for our 3pm flight back to Prague. The day might have started without distinction, but our tour of Vilnius and trip back to Prague definitely made it memorable.
Airport at Vilnius
Flight back to Prague
Players waiting in line to check their baggage
I love the flight boards in Europe that click as they change.
Just an example of some of the items not allowed on board the flight from Vilnius to Prague. Granted two days off by Pavel, players went their separate ways to get some rest or spend time with family and friends. I returned to the Art Hotel in Prague for two more days in the city. I bet they both will feel like Saturday. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm and international baketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com! GO ULM! MIKE T
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