A new way to play racquetball at lunchtime

My long time rball partner has been taken away from me for work, since mid July. I have not had my twice weekly dose of racquetball workouts on Tuesday and Thursday since then.
I recently competed in the Orem Membership Drive tournament, as well as help run it with my awesome daughter (who put in 20 hours of volunteer work). I realized that even a few weeks, let alone months off from the sport can cause rust to appear on the body. I played poorly, with a few spots of shiny.
While at the event, another player and I were talking about consistent play, and he mentioned that he goes daily to the gym to play. Much more than I ever have done, and I admire him for it. I can do maybe 2 days, maybe 3 a week at lunch time. Some evenings, but not many. There is quite a difference in how he plays and how i play, and its because of the practice, among other things. So, he said to come down and find a game at lunch times.
I was loathe to goto the gym without an assurance that someone would be there. I went anyway, biting my natural tendencies to bow out and make an excuse and not go. While there, i was able to meet and play with 2 new individuals that were either at my skill level or above, allowing me and they to give each other a good run for points as we all were able to work out and get the needed exercise that the sport is ultimately giving us. I returned today, Friday, and ended up playing Roger and Sylvia. They are trying to compete in doubles tournaments more, and they played doubles against me. I got to play as if I were two players, against the two of them. Granted, this is more of a workout for me, and I get to server twice, allowing Evil TJay the chance to screw up, and LessEvil TJay the chance to make a descent shot once in a while. I ended up winning the game only by a few points, mostly due to ball placement taking advantage of their inability to quickly reach the ball in some (very few) situations. It was a great game. And it mixed up my game and exercise well. I hope to return and make this a new habit, picking up a game with whomever happens to be there and playing. This is not something i have done, and it falls outside of my comfort zone, tremendously. I like to have it planned and know that i will have a partner to play. Showing up, hoping to play, is difficult.
Hopefully the years of volunteering with the Utah Racquetball Association has garnered me enough acquaintances that I will be able to continue playing, even without a steady partner. Its been 8 years of playing with partners, and this is different for me. Wish me luck.

Racquetball League

A few years ago, we took the kids to a youth racquetball league. This is where we met Roger Flick, a former BYU racquetball coach. He was the first to notice the potential in Kylie in playing the sport, and started our family down the road we now find ourselves, where we are all interested in racquetball in some fashion. Since that time, Kylie and Alyssa have played in many tournaments, and leagues. Both have even medaled in tournaments, including Utah State tourneys. Its been a fun adventure, and keeps the family together, while exercising.

Last year, Roger called me about the adult league that I had played in the year prior, to see if I was attending again. And if I was, would Kylie be interested in helping him out. She, of course, accepted with honors. What a great privilege this has been. The first time she did it, she simply helped with administrative tasks, while the league occurred. She would sit at the table, and do anything needing to be done, to record scores, keep track of players, boot people out of courts that shouldn't be there, and generally corral all the players in the league. This current league, she has participated. Playing most players, if not all of them, over the 12 week course of the league. It has been a wonderful experience for her, as well as the other players to assist in her training, and force them to think differently about their own game as they played her. She has grown to have some of her favorites opponents, and luckily I am still on that short list.

What a great opportunity she was given, and continues to experience with this opportunity. Thanks so much to Roger for allowing her this chance to improve her game, and social standing in the league as well as the Racquetball Community. Its a special thing for me to bring her each week as we get to talk before and after the league about all kinds of things, bringing our bond closer and closer with each passing week. We are truly blessed.

2009 Marv Jensen Spring Smash

In March each year, there are usualy a few rall tournaments. This year, there were 3 that we participated in. 3 Weeks in a row. It was fun, but tough.
This week, we had the Spring Smash tourney. I played at Marv Jensen for almost 6 years while working at ACS. So, this facility, above all others, feels like home for me. Which is good, since we spent at least 2 hours and sometimes as much as 5 hours, each night from Wednesday to Saturday. After a couple days, it seemed all we did at home was shower and change to come back to Marv Jensen again.
Alyssa, Kylie and Myself all played in this tournament. The girls ended up being in a combined division, and played a Round Robin format, even playing each other.

Alyssa has progressed a ton as a multi bounce player. She played all single bounce opponents, and held her own for quite a while. She would run around and get to balls that we would have thought down. She warmed up so seriously before each match, and practiced until she was ready to begin the games. During the games, her little legs kept pushing and pulling her all over the court. She got some incredible shots and played very well. While playing Kylie, she actually won 1 of the games, and lost 1 to Kylie. Before the tie-breaker was started, and after realizing it was after 9pm, we decided to call off the last game. Alyssa scored 1 more point than Kylie and was labeled the winner. What a night. 3 games were played by the girls, and all were way tired.

Kylie had trouble getting into the games, as she faced boys a lot older than herself, and didnt have the multi bounce to fall back on like Alyssa did. She did play well, and has improved so much. She can stand up against the boys, but gets a bit nervous and shys away from some of the shots, causing her to loose her cool and get her head out of the game. It was amazing to see some of the shots and gets that she was able to pull off. She enjoyed the tournament and realized that we all need to practice a bit more. We will be pitting the 2 girls against each other in our famliy games, and play them like real games witha ref and all.

I played alone on Thursday night, with none of the girls having a game that night. I played in C division. My first game, i was so off and so cold that I could only muster 4 points. My opponent was one I had played previously, in another tournament. I had beaten him in 1 game, and lost in 2 other games. The same thing happened this time. I truly thought i had him in the tie-breaker, as I had control of the game (I felt) for quite a while, but ended up loosing the momentum and lost the game. So, I was out of the regular tourney, and shunted into the Consolation round. My next game could have been Friday or Saturday. We went Friday to watch the girls play, so found out when my game would be. It was slated for Saturday at noon. If I won that game, I would play another game at 3pm on Saturday. We awoke Saturday, got all ready, took my powershot to get jazzed up for the game, got dressed, and make the trek up to Mark Jensen, to find out that my noon game was really just a 3pm game. Bummer. When I did get onto the court, I was ready to play, having watched 3 hours of play previously. I ended up winning the Consolation final in 2 games. I won a can of new racquetball's, yeah!

We love playing this sport. We love interacting with the community and love watching other players compete. Some of the games are intense, and we learn alot simply by watching others play. In the end, I hope that these activities brings our family together, and helps us stay active, learn to compete, gain skills that can be used in many other aspects of our lives.

2009 UVU rball tourney

I entered into the UVU tournament, after Preston and Mike asked me if i was gonna play. I was gonna take a week off, and not play, since I had played in the Luck of the Heights tournament the week prior, and am still playing in a tourney next week (Marv Jensen Spring Smash). But after getting asked by multiple people if I was playing, i decided to support the tourney. Plus, being in UVU, was closer than most tournaments.
My first game was Wednesday night. I was excited to play, but leery, because I was still sore from a workout previously. I worried it would hinder my play. But forged along anyway. My first game, I lost. I didnt play well at all. But after being warmed up, I played much better the second game, and won. Onto the 3rd game. This one, i musta flipped my 'play crappy mode' switch, and lost. I wish i could figure out the magic that allows me to play so well one game, and soo poorly the next game.
So, now that I lost my first game in C Division, I was in the consolation round. My next game was to be on Friday night, almost the same time as my daughters play. However, the way that the draw worked its way out, I didnt have to play on Friday, but again on Saturday morning.
Only Alyssa could come to my Saturday game, as the rest of the family was busy with other things. So, we went down there to UVU, Alyssa and I, and attempted to find a place to park. It happened to be at the same time as some 'Run' event sponsored by UVU, and parking was atrocious. It took my 20 minutes to find a place where I could actually park. We finally made our way to the courts, and I warmed up. I was able to bring in my wireless headphones this time, and listen to them as i warmed up. I havent done this for quite some time, and it was nice to not have wires inhibiting me again. So, I warmed up, got in some great shots, got a sweat going, got moving. I felt good. I started playing my first game, and scored 2 points, while my opponent went on to score 15 points, regardless of the flailing that I did in and around him. I just stunk it up. Shots that are money makers for me, would come up 10 feet short. Frustrating.
In the second game, I turned a new leaf. I did really well. Alyssa recorded the event, and while I was watching this second game, I actually heard some spectator say 'wow, where did he pull that shot out'. I assume this was reference to the obvious history of the first game shenanigans. I ended up winning that game. And onto the third game, where I was able to pull out a win. Now I had a chance to play for the final of the consolation round. I could be the winner of the loosers.
This next match was to start at noon. Just an hour away. My arm and shoulder were pretty sore, so I tended to my wounds, even found some ice nearby to put on them. This helped me feel better. I rested and got ready for the next game.
The opponent was someone I had played before, but didnt think I played well against. During the first game, I kept up for quite awhile, even leading for a bit. I was feeling good, but obviously not 100%. I kept in the game about half the points, before I started hurting pretty badly, and everything went downhill from there. I lost the first match, and during the second match, I couldn't have played any worse, had I stood outside the court and just watched.
3 games on Wednesday. 5 games on Saturday. I won 3 of the 8 games. I must win more games in order to win... haha.
I did have a great time. My shoulder and arm are not suffering today as much as I thought they would be. Maybe I'm getting stronger after all, but am not entirely strong enough yet. I will keep working on it, and trying to get better. I would like to get up into the B Division someday. Maybe next year? I need to have a goal to get better. I do play so that I can be in better shape, and believe that this is being accomplished. I also like the social aspect of the game, and have made incredible friendships thru my play. This game has also strengthened us as a family, as we all participate in games and practice. It puts my kids and me on an even playing field when we coach each other. The strength of character it is building in my daughters is incredible. They have confidence to play, socialize, and even take on responsibilities as coach, referee and judge in tournament matches. Its great to see how much they have grown in the past few years, and I believe that his sport, and our participation in it has been a positive influence on us in many ways.
We will continue to participate. Play. Train. And grow. Both as racquetball players and people.

AC Joint - Update 2009-01-24

Today we went over to Orem Rec again to finish watching the rball tourney and let the girls play a bit. The girls didnt play, but I got to ref some games and watch some great games. This got me thinking that even though I lost my second game in C division, I was happy that I was able to play. Just 162 days ago, I was out at 5 mile pass, suffering from a torn AC joint in my shoulder. I looked back just now at my blog and saw my 50 day update, having gotten back on the dirtbike and was riding again. So, 162 days from tearing it, I was able to compete at a descent level in rball tourney. Yeah Me.

2009 Orem Open - Racquetball tournament - game 2

Game two pitted me against a guy from the Orem League that I have never played well against. Rory. In the first game, I actually was up in points for a bit, which suprised me. But I soon lost the lead, and never gained it back. I did put up a fight though.

In the second game, I simply sucked. Nothing seemed to work. If I didnt skip the ball, I would end up placing it where he would dink shot it in the corner. So, it was soon over, and I had lost. Too bad.

But, the goal was to play after having injured my shoulder 4+ months prior. I played a lot better than we all figured I could. I had to ice up after the first match, but I didnt on the second game, and the next day my arm and shoulder were fine. So, my strengthening regiment had helped. My trips to the gym have helped. And my patience in waiting to play has helped.

Now, I need to continue on, building more and more, and practicing. More tourneys will come my way, and I hope to be ready.

Tomorrow, we will go to Orem Rec again, and watch our girls play some games with other kids their age. I hope they enjoy themselves and do well in their games.

2009 Orem Open - Racquetball tournament - game 1

This week is the Orem Open in Orem, Utah. The rec center is where we often play racquetball as a family and where I go during the days now on lunch break to play twice a week. So its familiar territory.

I signed up for this tournament, the first since separating my AC joint. I have not been playing as much racquetball as I did last year, due to the injury and changes in my schedule. I sure miss it. So this is my chance to test my body and endurance at a tournament level. I entered this tourney in a higher level than I was playing last year. So, I was a bit worried how the shoulder and arm would hold up.

To make matters worse, Monday at lunch I went to the gym to run on the elliptical, then Monday night I worked extra doing releases, and was tired. The next day, Tuesday, I played racquetball with a buddy of mine at lunch time, then went to a Racquetball League form 7pm until 830pm. After the league, I started backing up databases for an hour, then proceeded to work on a Billing Staged Run for work, until 2am in the morning. The next morning, Wednesday, we had a Company Kick Off event, that started early, at a distance from my home, so i had to go a bit earlier than normal to 'work'. I ended up working until 5pm that day, and ran home to eat some dinner and take a nap. I was so tired. I didn't see myself playing well at all after the last few days, and what was four 8 hour days of work already by Wednesday.

So, I'm tired. But jazzed about playing again. The nap was awesome, and actually helped incredibly. I showed up to the tourney, saw old friends from the rball community, caught up on what we've been doing. Soon, it was my turn to play. I got ready, and started warming up. I was able to use my free ipod nano I won from SQL Server Central.com as SQL PASS last November from Steve Jones. I warmed up and we started to play. My shoulder isn't in the best shape, but held up well, and I was able to bang out some great shots. I led the first game for my first 11 points, then gave up the lead, and kept the game close, until my opponent ended up winning me by a couple points. I was ecstatic. I had done so much better than expected.

The next game was on. I ended up running 11 points with my opponent not scoring at all. But i couldn't hold it, and gave up a few points, maybe 6 or 7 points, before winning the second game. Woohooo. I'm on a roll now.

The tie breaker was a game to 11 points, where the other 2 games are to 15 points. So, its nice to not have play as long on the tie-breaker, since I'm usually so tired by the third game. I started the tie-breaker strong, but as usual, made mistakes, and let a lot of points get away from me. I was able to nail down some solid serves, and even got quite a few aces. The last point, I could taste it, but ended up skipping my shot, giving my opponent a chance to loose. I was able to gain the serve back, and was excited. I stood up to hopefully get my last point, and pulled out one of my favorite serves. A Z drive serve with my forehand, from the left side of the court. The Z ends up in the back left behind me, and hopefully bounces oddly in the corner, preventing a return, if any. I aced this serve. Last serve of the game, and it was over. Woohoo.

So I won my 1st match in the Orem Open in C division. This is a huge accomplishment for me, and I treated myself to a chocodile from a gas station on the way home. My entire family came out and cheered me on. They always are such a great support to me, and help me and coach me and simply love me, no matter the outcome. I love to play this game, and am excited that I'm doing it again, even with this shoulder injury nagging at me. I am sitting here now typing this with an ice pack on my arm. Soon, I'll put it on my shoulder, and cool it down.

I play again tomorrow at 6pm. I'll post those results in a new post.

rball season is upon us

the weekend after labor day was the first tournament of the year. I signed up in 1 division, and hoped to do well. My back has been hurting me for a few months now, and we finally figured out it was probably my chair at work that caused it. So bending over still caused me pain. I had not played in a month during august because of it, and was bit rusty. I started waring up for the first game, and was suprised i was moving well. I had taken some advil and sprayed biofreeze on my back in preparation. When the game got underway, i started off well, and was dong well against my opponent. I had a couple instances where i bent too far over, and it hurt a bit. But i recovered. I kept playing, and got tired, soon. about 6 points in on my side, and my opponent caught up and surpassed me easily. I never did catch up. He took the first game, and we went onto the next game. I played better in this one, but still was down, and never caught up. so i lost my first tournament game, heartily. Sad, since i felt that at my height last year, i would have easily done a lot better, and probably won the games. Oh well, goal was to play, see my rball family of friends, and get back into the sport after a frustrating month of back pain. Those goals were accomplished. I hope to practice well, and get ready for my next tourney in november.

Luck of the Heights 2008 rball tourney

I entered into this tournament in the Men's C division. My first game was against mallory on Thursday night. The first game, i won fairly easily 15-9. The second game, i lost way too easily. And then i lost the third game as well. Nothing seemed to work for me that night, after the first game. Odd.

My consolation game was Friday night at 7pm. I played Jesse VanValkenburg. I lost the first game by 2 points. I played way hard, but came up short. Second game, i was able to do much better and won 15-9. I figured i'd take third game, and had a 10-4 lead, but Jesse got all my serves, and came back and beat me 11-10. Tough loss for me. We ended up playing almost an hour and half. I even took some dives to get the shot, and even got up to get the next shot. My knee is still hurting, but it was a blast to get the shot. We videoed most of my games to review and learn from. I shot video of the girls as well, so they could see and learn from their games.

Kylie and Alyssa both entered the tournament as well. Both played 2 people in round robin format. Kylie played 2 boys her age, and scored well against both of them. One boy was new to tournaments, while the other has beat her before. She set herself some goals, and accomplished them, and was real proud of her performances. This is her second tournament as a single bounce player, and its taking some getting used too. She had a private instruction with Roger Flick last month, and he taught her a great serve. She used this serve and scored some great points. She took third in her division, winning her a container of new balls.

Alyssa played as a multi bounce player against two girls playing as double bounce. Lyssa has some mean serves for 2 bouncers to snag. She scored a lot of points, winning her first game, and doing real well the second game. She took second in her division, winning her a new glove.

January 2007 rball tourney

I played 19 games of rball last week. Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday day.
I entered in 2 divisions, D Singles and D Doubles. I played with Charles Conklin in doubles.
The tournament ended up being a Round Robin format, with a lot of games. I had hoped to win more than I did. I expected to win more singles games, but had a tough time winning. I came back in a lot of the games, and won the second game, then thought I would take the last game, but failed to execute. In doubles matches, we won one fairly easily, but had to fight the rest of them to the end. Some games we did really well in, and one many games, but not all.
The tournament was for charity, for breast cancer. We participated in the silent auctions and won a pink backpack for Alyssa. Both Alyssa and Kylie helped out a bit, with washing dishes and other chores. They also played a lot with friends, and even helped coach me in most of my games. Kylie is getting an eye for the game, and enjoys watching and helping me. I truly appreciate her input and assistance.
The tournament was fun, but not as much a success as i had hoped for. Its only the second time i played doubles with Charles. We learned a lot, and hope to do better next time.