Bump, Set, Spike for The Journey

It might be an Olympics year--my favorite kind of year--but I'm about to sound really stupid about a sport primarily highlighted during the Games. I'd like to think that I watch a lot of Olympic sports except volleyball's not one of them. Beach volleyball, a little, but only because Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor and the gripping men's competition in Beijing were too exciting not to watch, and they often played between the swimming coverage. But indoor volleyball, no. It's no one's fault but my own--I think I'm still scarred from the weeks of volleyball we had to play in high school gym class where I whacked someone on the head two courts away and knocked his hat off (an embarrassingly true story).

I might be less into volleyball than I am into swimming, skiing and running, as far as Olympic sports go, but a contest that Mizuno launched has me wishing I could pull a 13 Going on 30 number and wake up tomorrow as a teenager, and a volleyball-playing one at that. And if we're going all-out with the fantasies, I'd want to defy my family's genetics that err on the side of shortness. But dreamland aside, it's the contest that has me excited even without being a volleyballer.

Mizuno created The Journey, an online contest for young volleyball players, as a way to celebrate its partnership with the USA Men's and Women's National Indoor Volleyball team. The Journey encourages volleyball players to submit video diaries, photos and essays about how they've been shaped by the competitive sport. From this collection of inspiring stories, Mizuno will award a volleyball clinic to the grand prize winner's team in his or her hometown, conducted by a USA Volleyball team member. Entrants also have the opportunity to win Mizuno Volleyball footwear, apparel and accessories. All for sharing their stories of competitive drive and passion. If that's not inspiring for someone who has aspirations to earn a spot on the national team then I don't know what is.

Your New Facebook Friend

I don't know if I should be readily admitting this, but here's my latest confession. I spend a lot of time on Facebook. Whether that should be viewed as good or bad, I'll leave it up to you. But sometimes rewarding opportunities come from the site--like when I read the helpful and educational information at Master the Shift. And now here's my latest, one I have to say I'm happy, thrilled even, that I stumbled upon. It's the Nike Women business site, also known as the Nike Training Club, that you need to friend immediately. If you were fueled by the latest Nike commercial, the Throwdown Anthem, you'll get the same energy here. Here's why:

• Contrary to its name, Nike Women isn't strictly by women, for women. It might look like it from the title, the correlating photo that shows a fit female glistening through a gut-busting plank, and the My Obsession items pulled from the female fashion line. But anyone can use the tips and videos at the Get Fit tab, anyone can download the weekly music downloads, anyone can add the corresponding app to their iPhone (provided it's been updated to the iPhone 4 software as I learned earlier today), anyone can follow the adventures of the Nike Field Reporter.
• How can you resist weekly free downloads for workout mixes? Whether you want the whole set or only a sampling, you can test the tunes before you save them to your playlist arsenal. And you'll have a healthy library of new songs to choose from for your next workout from energetic to mellow to motivating.
• Find a workout that fits your target zone. You won't need a gym or personal trainer to get fit if you check out what's available with the Nike Training Club, which puts a-list trainers in the palm of your hand or on screen. I was already digging the froggers and double snap kicks.

See for yourself...maybe you'll find it to be your new obsession much like the leggings, training capris and hoodies have been Nike's.