PodRunner

Good running music combined with the touch of a trainer.  I just started Intervals: Gateway to 8K. Working great so far!
http://www.podrunner.com/

Tennis Scores

I started playing tennis with my friends at the weekend. It is fun, not like when I take lessons from the tennis instructors, they are boring and expensive.

SCORES:

June 20th with Mr. T.
1-6 L
6-7 L
Notes: we were out of time, so we could not play the last game. But it was really fun playing with him!

June 26th with Mr. M
5-7 L
2-6 L
Notes: I did not enjoy playing with Mr. M at all. Although I have no problem with his personality, somehow I don't like his style while playing tennis.

Another Morning...

My body aches all over after playing tennis on Saturday. It is amazing to see how every inch of my body aches, not only my legs or arms. After not playing tennis for 3 months, this was expected. I don't regret it though XD

My new tennis partner told me it was fun that I returned 20-30 balls in one play. I was happy too that I did not forget what I learned.

After taking the photo on the left and writing my entry for today, I need to go back to work... *my back my back!!!*

Tennis in April

My coach is leaving the city for 6 months. So I was trying to find a new coach, but I could not afford them. Instead, I found a high-level tennis partner who will play with me for money.

The first time I saw the guy, I really did not like him. We did not talk at all. And when I cannot get warmed-up to a person, I really don't feel like playing with him. But maybe after talking to him I will start liking him (I hope so).

So, my partnership starts next weekend. I need to do some running at this weekend to regulate energy and breathing.

I am very anxious because I haven't played tennis for months.. ok, ok, all I need to do is to do some practice...YOSH!!!

Pilates for Sculpting and Flexibility - Lara Hudson

I started doing Pilates this morning and it felt really good. I think Lara Hudson's routines are great. I used to have her DVD, but unfortunately I gave it away. Now I have Suzanne Bowen's DVD, her routines are also good, but appearance-wise, I would prefer Lara.

Sculpting




Flexibility

October Tournament

There is a tournament in the university that I work and my coach insists that I should participate. He thinks that I can reach to quarter-finals easily, but...

Self-confidence is one of the many things that I lack :)

Playing with a wall

Weekdays I started practicing tennis with a wall. The floor and the wall's surface are terrible, the ball almost never bounces to the direction where it is supposed to. So I feel challenged a lot, and I like it :)

I have a couple of kids watching me as an audience too. They like it whenever I can't hit the ball :)

Demon Coach!

I had my first two tennis lessons. My new coach is very experienced. The problem is, he made me change how I play tennis completely.

I guess what bothers me the most is how he doesn't bother to see my strenghts (I think I have some) and to impose his style on me. He corrects me for everything (it is ok) but he rarely says "good"... It makes me wonder, whether or not I am fit to play tennis at all.

Today I hated something in my life that I love so much.

Opportunities...

"I believe that one of the most important qualities to have, is to remain open and receptive to opportunities that present themselves." (from my ex-tennis partner's email).

This is the thing that I keep telling to myself, but the change is hard...and challenging.

Anyways... I started running again, on hard sand... It was harder compared to treadmill. I ran about 3 km, not too bad after 1.5 month-break.

I am so anxious when I think about Saturday... I will finally be able to play tennis. This is a great feeling...looking forward to something in life! :)

New Tennis Coach!

Finally I've found a tennis coach and planning to take lessons every weekend!! It will cost me around $35 for 1 hour though... Still ok, my paycheck is not too bad ;)

I am so excited! I have to start running as soon as possible to build my stamina again. I was slacking off for a month.

Now it is time to have some action in my life!!

2-Minute Abs Workout for LAZY guys...

I don't know if it works, but I started doing this everyday.

Becoming a tennis coach :))

After I graduated a week ago, I am spending my days to keep up my promises that I made to my friends.

One of my friends wanted to learn tennis so bad. Finally yesterday I gave her a 2.5-hour lesson. She is such a quick learner.

I am not a PE teacher, but I tried my best to apply the instructional principles that I learned in college in the context of tennis. She liked my instruction and told me that I am a great teacher.

Well, I am not a great tennis player, but at least a good teacher :))

In two hours, I am invited to have dinner with a friend of mine, to keep up another promise!

Running Log

I started running again. I don't know how long I can keep up, but I will do my best. I will keep the records here and try to beat my old score everytime.

Jan 5th>> 40 min (5.2-6.0 mi/h)
Jan 14th>> 30 min (5.2-5.5)
Jan 27th>> 40 min (5.2-6.0)
Jan 30th>> 25 min (5.5-6.0)
Feb 2nd>> 35 min (5.5-6.0)

Top Ten Tennis Points

Tennis

My tennis practice was awesome today!
We played a set with my partner and I lost 0-6 :)
But every game was a close one!

I wanted to post my favorite tennis player's picture in this post.

Fuji is my inspiration to play tennis more and more...

Racquetball

Yesterday I played racquetball the first time. It was really fun! It is funny that the bad shots I do in tennis works in racquetball :))

Something never changes though. I hurt myself again with the racket, on my left eyebrow-skull. It's swollen so bad :))

Also I have about 10-11 other bruises that I had during moving my stuff in to my new apartment. I don't know why I hurt myself all the time. People would think that I was beaten :))

Wrapped up!

I've just come from my tennis practice. I don't like bragging but, I was pretty good today :)) YA-HA!

Also I still have bruises on my left arm. I hit it with my racket when I am doing forehands sometimes. For this reason I use two long wrist-bands to cover my arm below the elbow.

Then I realized, maybe Shiraishi has the same problem :)) (Of course not, he is a perfect player!). But I love his idea of wrapping his arm! I am planning to do that (ohhh, my otaku spirit!) :))

Though, I don't want to worry people, they might think that I have an accident :)

Wimbledon Final

"Wimbledon has a new king. Rafael Nadal dethroned Roger Federer after a five-year reign by winning the longest-ever Wimbledon men's final." 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (8-10), 9-7.

http://www.wimbledon.org/

Here is the recap video:

Wimbledon 2008 Semi Finals to Finals

Gentlemen's Singles

Federer (SUI) vs. Safin (RUS)---- Federer advanced to the finals.
Schuettler (GER) vs. Nadal (ESP)--- Nadal advanced to the finals.

Ladies' Singles

Final: Wiliams sisters

In men's singles I was wishing that there would be some kind of surprise :)

Second Racket

I really need a second racket, in case I break the strings during a match. My friend told me that I need to get another racket exactly like my old one, so I can continue playing without any change. But it looks like Prince rackets are all evolved now :))

Also I didn't really know much about the rackets and I bought my first racket just because it was light and oversized. Now, I want to make a good decision and want to buy a good racket.

My previous tennis instructor always praised Babolat. Though, they are usually more expensive then Prince. I will wait another 6 months to buy one :)