I walk, I go to the gym, I do Pilates at work at lunch when I can fit it into my schedule...but I've never had a sport. I thought about golf, but playing golf is a big commitment, both in time and money. I played a little golf before Francie and Heidi were born, but after they were born I got my workout in other ways. I also didn't want to spend that much free time away from them. I've always really LIKED my kids.
So, when Shireen texted me last week and asked if I'd like to take tennis lessons with her at Terri Pines, the answer was a big YES! I want to do something fun. I want to hit a ball with a racket and then run like crazy to hit it again. And again. And again. Theoretically that's what I'll do.
Of course I needed a racket, some long shorts, and some shoes that would help me fly across the court like a pro. So, off to Cummings Sporting Goods store I went. $160 later, I had my gear. I bought the last and only racket they had in stock, a pair of long shorts, an Under Armor tshirt, some volleyball shoes in Vinemont High School colors because they were the closest to Crimson and White I could find, and a pair of these amazing socks.
I bought volleyball shoes because they didn't have the exact tennis shoes I needed, but they were very helpful and explained why volleyball shoes would be okay on a tennis court, but they cautioned they would wear out faster than real "tennis" shoes. They fixed me up and I had fun in the store - always a plus when you have no clue what you're doing.
Who knew there were special volleyball shoes? I'm always amazed at how much I really don't know about a bunch of things. When I put my tshirt on Francie said, "You got an Under Armor shirt." I asked, "How do you know about Under Armor?" "Everybody does," she said. Well, everybody but me. I must live under a rock.
So, Shireen and I get to Terri Pines and the first thing Danny said to me was, "You must coach volleyball."
Shireen and I looked at each other and laughed out loud. Me? Coach anything? ( I was the drama coach at West Point, but we didn't have special shoes).
So, I asked him, "Why would you think I coach volleyball?"
"You have on volleyball shoes."
I really, really have to get out more.
We had fun. The tennis pro is a hoot. He talks really fast, told us his entire life story in the hour and forty-five minutes we were running and sweating and missing the ball, and he's just such a positive, encouraging guy it was easy to have fun. Two younger women joined us, and even though they had on cute tennis skirts, I decided I like them :-).
Danny told us we should start a league. I told him as soon as I could get the racket to actually connect with the ball...he could sign me up. I frequently have delusions of grandeur - and Chrissy Evert flashed through my mind. Sure, I'll play in a league :-).
Honestly, though, the guy's name is Danny Light and I think his last name describes him perfectly. He is just fun. We heard his entire life story, all about his wife and children, what he does for a living, how many surgeries he's had on his knee (which scared me a little)...and how to volley, serve, backhand, overhand, all that stuff I've never known what it meant. We had a blast.
So, my next big adventure involves learning how to have fun. I think this tennis thing is going to be fun. And good for me. The thing I've learned about going to the gym and working out or walking fast enough so it's difficult to breathe, is that five minutes into whatever the activity - my attitude adjusts. Stress melts away, work issues, personal problems...all that seems easier to manage after a good, hard workout.
And I'm just going to put this out there for the two of you who occasionally read this :-). My REAL goal is to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim. Now that would be an adventure!
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