There are several reasons why people go to watch a beach volleyball match. Some like to see professional players at the top of their game, some like to enjoy the beach-party atmosphere while catching a little sun, and there are also many who enjoy watching the shirtless men score a huge ace and the bikini-clad women diving in the sand.

I definitely enjoy the first two aspects -- ok, watching the tan, muscular men of the AVP isn't so bad either. And...without sounding too weird, I have to admit that I really enjoy watching beach volleyball legend Holly McPeak play.

McPeak is impressive, not only because she's a 20-year-veteran and three-time Olympian, but also because she is such a hard worker and one of the most toned, in-shape women I know.

There have been several times that I've overheard spectators comment on how great she looks and most don't even realize that she's 39-years-old.

This season was supposed to be that last one that you would be able to catch McPeak in action, but that might change. "I'm considering coming back because Angie [Akers] and I have had a great year," she said. "We're having so much fun and I'm healthy so I might be around next season."

2007 wasn't her best year so she was tempted to call it quits. McPeak struggled with an injury and still doesn't exactly know what it was. "It felt like I tore something behind my knee cap and the pain went from there to my calf and hamstring," she explained. "I couldn't run or jump like I was used to."

But, this year McPeak came back and was better than ever after working on the problem in the off-season. "That's what the off-season is for," she said. "If you have a shoulder injury, you do physical therapy on it. If you need to lose weight you do more cardio."

This example of her dedication to remain healthy is a testament to her level of commitment to the sport and to her fitness.

The awesome physical shape that she's in has taken hard work to attain and continues to take work to maintain. Many want to know her tricks but, when I tried to get her to reveal them, she told me with a smile that they were top-secret.

She opened up though and explained a few of her workout habits. On a typical in-season week, she and her partner, Angie Akers, train on the beach a minimum of two hours, two or three times a week. Two days a week, they also spend about an hour at Level 10 Fitness with their trainer, Meredith Miller. Miller, an intense instructor, leads them through a total body workout meant to maintain their shape. Along with all that, McPeak does cardio almost every day.

To most, that already sounds like a huge amount of activity. Add on to that three days straight of anywhere from one to four matches each day.

One obvious question would be "don't you get burnt out?" While McPeak confessed that by the end of the season, she's ready for a break, she did say that it was important, even necessary to workout most days. "If I don't do something physical, I get grumpy and I'm not fun to be around," she admitted. She also battles the monotony of cardio workouts by switching things up every 20 minutes and moving from treadmill to bike to Stairmaster, etc.

There are days when her body is just plain tired. "It's rare, but sometimes my body is fatigued and I need to rest," McPeak said. "I've learned over time to listen to my body better."

McPeak has obligated herself to keeping her body happy. If that means that she wants to eat a cookie, she will. "I feel that I work hard enough and can eat whatever I want," she said. "Of course, the better I eat, the better I feel though."

Keeping her body healthy and happy is important because she needs it to be at its best in order to bring her A-game on the beach. "I don't work out for anyone or to look a certain way," she explained. "I do it because my body is a machine that helps me to be the most efficient volleyball player I can be."

McPeak said that no one has ever said they thought they could keep up with her. It's most likely that no one but her partner, Akers, could. But, Holly, I think I could. Well...maybe in a couple months, when I'm in better shape. Man, who am I kidding, I think I'd pass out before I could finish a day of her regiment.