Not a Bad Day's Work

Sunday, September 21

My trip to Columbus, Ohio, started around 1p.m. on Friday when I, along with a single bag ? a personal packing best ? joined the Chuck Ash caravan from Steed Tire in Brundidge to the airport in Dothan.

Although I didn't get to be in charge and drive, I was a good back-seat passenger and trusted Chuck to get us there safely, which he did. Wheels were up around 4 p.m. on our own personal Jet Blue plane and, after around two hours of flight time, we were on the ground.

At the hotel in Dublin we were greeted by some true Trojan fans!

Thanks to the convenience of air travel, we were settled in time to enjoy some food and fellowship at PF Chang's. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner company once again, which included Dr. Mickey Dichiara, his wife Cheryl, and two of her sisters, as well as Richard Shaughnessy, and my personal body guard, State Trooper Ken Kelley.

Watching everyone attempt to eat with chop sticks always makes for a few laughs, as does reading each others' fortunes aloud! For your next trip to PF Chang's, I would definitely recommend the sesame crusted Ahi tuna ? the only way it's intended to be served...lightly seared.

After a nice light meal, a leisurely stroll back to the hotel and some reading time on my current book, it was “lights out” for the early morning that lay ahead, or so I thought. Unfortunately, I'd had a screaming headache all day Friday and ended up reading and tossing and turning more than I actually slept.

Maybe it was all the excitement and anticipation of the Horseshoe. Whatever it was ? or wasn't ? I was glad that after only three hours of quality sleep I had survived my headache and the sleepless night. I needed some coffee and a good breakfast, STAT!

I have been told that I can smell a Panera Bread Company from 10 miles away. It's a gift, what can I say? That super power was put to work, and thankfully, there was one close by the hotel.

So, at 6:45 a.m., I donned my running gear (to make people in the lobby think I was going running ? which I did on the way to Panera) and made the quick trip across the street and through the mall parking lot to my solace. A caramel latte, spinach and artichoke egg soufflé, and a bagel for later, and I was on my way.

I don't recommend running with coffee in your hands, which is why I walked back.

I enjoyed a little music ? I've become a fan of Regina Spektor of late ? with my breakfast and coffee and got ready for an 8:30 check-out and meeting time in the lobby.

Due to the heightened security risks of having 100,000-plus people in the same general area, our bags were sniffed at the hotel by the cutest Dutch Shepherd, whose name I have forgotten. I did get to pet him and he was very sweet!

Our convoy to the stadium included a few motor escorts, riding very nice Harley's with which Chuck and Richard were VERY impressed. When asked how fast they would go, one of the officers said that after 115 miles per hour, the dotted lines in the highway look like solid ones and that's when he starts to slow down.

Add the sniffing dogs to the motorcade shutting down the highway for the trip to the stadium and the snipers on the roofs of buildings near the stadium and it is quite possibly the most secure place I have ever been! Really, there were snipers on the roofs!

The event staff and fans at Ohio State were very hospitable and extremely involved in the game until the very end! You've not lived until you've heard 103,000 people or so sing the National Anthem! It is awesome!! And the crowd involvement didn't stop there. They were in it the whole game and kept on cheering, although not as loudly when we were only down by four in the first half.

I even heard our fight song from their band after the game, which I thought was very cool! Not near as good as the Sound of the South, but cool nonetheless.

The Men of Troy battled hard the whole time and put on a respectable show of heart and talent. A few penalties and some great kicks pinning us deep gave Ohio State the advantage and the ultimate win. I am extremely proud of all of our guys.

We survived Ohio State with the normal bumps and bruises of facing a high caliber opponent. They had some really big guys, but I don't think they worked any harder than us. Field position was the key to that game in my personal opinion. But remember, I'm just a girl and I could be totally wrong about that; it's just my opinion.

We have yet to determine an Athletic Training Room Player of the Week, but I know the race is tight and whoever is selected tonight will be worthy of the ice cold Powerade on Tuesday.

Kudos to Bear Woods, last week's ATR Player of the Week...he did a great job for us against the Buckeyes!

Up at 5:30 a.m. central time, a little football action for lunch, and we were home before the sun went down for the day. Not bad for a day's work. I've chosen a few pictures to include from my trip to the Horseshoe. Hope you enjoy!

Until next time, GO TROJANS!
Alyson

Troy University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos