Guest Columnist Linda Frohlich: Hawaiian vacation does wonders after long season

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003 | 9:24 a.m.

Linda Frohlich, a former All-American at UNLV, is in her second year with the WNBA's New York Liberty. She writes a column Thursdays in the Sun. Check out what Linda's up to by logging onto her website at www.lindafrohlich.com

So what do you do when you want to take a break from a long season? Where do you go when you want to clear your mind? Where do you go when you want to get refreshed and energized for the "next round?"

I must say that I have found the perfect place to do all of the above. Since Monday, I have been in Hawaii, and it has been awesome. Hawaii is an amazing island and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to come here. The weather, the beach, the breathtaking scenery, snorkeling -- it can't get better this!

This is my first official vacation since I was little. This trip has been long overdue and it seems to be having a therapeutic effect on me. It has given me the opportunity to let go of all my cares and to just relax and spoil myself. (Check out my website later this week for pictures of my vacation.)

It is great, because I don't have to worry about boxing out this girl, making the shot that coach has designed for me, or trying to make the playoffs for the past month of the season.

Once I started playing, there never was a real break for me. There was always a team I had to qualify for, always a tournament I had to play in. I could never afford to take time off. Now, though, all I have to worry about is to make the shuttle to the snorkeling tour, or to reapply sunscreen after getting out of the water.

This trip is refueling my body and my mind, and I will emerge ready to work hard on my game again.

I enjoy playing basketball day in and day out, and most of the time I get completely wrapped up in it. Stepping away from it makes me realize that there is more to life than basketball. And believe me, in this business, you sometimes forget.

Well, just like tomorrow that my vacation will come to an end, my articles will be on a new schedule. As result of me playing in Italy for the offseason, I am not going to write as often. This will give me a chance to focus on improving during my season in Italy, so I can take my game up a notch for the upcoming WNBA season.

There I go again thinking about basketball. I tell you, I really need to stay here in Hawaii another two weeks or so!