Topic: Monster

[Victor]

Got some spur of the moment tennis in today.  Mostly practice with some low key dubs to finish up.  Energy level was very low.
During the 'Alley Rally' drills we tried a different format today.  Instead of each player counting shots to 100 which usually takes about 15 min. (today it took 25min.) we used a differential scoring method so that there was a stroke deducted for every shot that missed.  That was much more fun and I found we both focused more on quality shots rather than power.  I fared much better on the BH than the FH where I still tended to over hit.  Am experimenting with switching the FH grip towards Eastern for low shots and using a semi on higher balls.  I was able to generate some serious pace and flattened the shot out with the E grip!   I think with a bit more practice, I can build my confidence in that shot.

Understand how I feel when I get a good ball and smack it down the line with my E-grip? 

[monstertruck]

Got some spur of the moment tennis in today.  Mostly practice with some low key dubs to finish up.  Energy level was very low.
During the 'Alley Rally' drills we tried a different format today.  Instead of each player counting shots to 100 which usually takes about 15 min. (today it took 25min.) we used a differential scoring method so that there was a stroke deducted for every shot that missed.  That was much more fun and I found we both focused more on quality shots rather than power.  I fared much better on the BH than the FH where I still tended to over hit.  Am experimenting with switching the FH grip towards Eastern for low shots and using a semi on higher balls.  I was able to generate some serious pace and flattened the shot out with the E grip!   I think with a bit more practice, I can build my confidence in that shot.

Understand how I feel when I get a good ball and smack it down the line with my E-grip? 

Oh yeah baby!
I am really starting to pummel the ball with that stroke/grip combo!

[Jamesdster]

Slice fh???  You don't see too much of that these days except for on the approach or the squash shot on the dead run. 

How about the return of serve?  It's the one shot I wish someone - anyone - had tried back in the '90s, in the heydey of the big servers.  I think the slice FH return is a great shot to have when you get surprised by the pace or if the serve crowds you, coming into your body on the FH side (which happens alot for us lefties who play deuce court!).

I try to block em back, volley style in that scenario.  Sometimes it'll have a slice action like the volley does.

[Victor]

Slice fh???  You don't see too much of that these days except for on the approach or the squash shot on the dead run. 

How about the return of serve?  It's the one shot I wish someone - anyone - had tried back in the '90s, in the heydey of the big servers.  I think the slice FH return is a great shot to have when you get surprised by the pace or if the serve crowds you, coming into your body on the FH side (which happens alot for us lefties who play deuce court!).

I try to block em back, volley style in that scenario.  Sometimes it'll have a slice action like the volley does.

I master those as no one, thats basicly cutting the ball, which is pretty effective, you should really try it. I get insane pace on it to, and it keeps low, it really makes the ball dead.

[monstertruck]

Treadmill  50min.  3.1miles  796calories  114 avg heart rate.
Whew, I'm starvin'!

Treadmill 77min.  4.25miles  1056cal  115avg hrt rate
I feel good!

Treadmill 40min. 2.4miles  672calories  132 avg hrt rt   freeweights!
Time for turkey and squash!

Treadmill 31min. 2.1miles  410cals  120 avg   freeweights!
No pain just walking!

Treadmill 21min.  1.2miles  119avg

Treadmill  42min.  2.5miles  550cals  118avg  freeweights

Treadmill  64min.  3.75miles  860 cals  115avg  560curls  350raises

Treadmill  62min.  3.9miles  1003cals  121avg

Walk/Treadmill  93min  6.3miles  1385cals  125avg  no weights

Wow, over 1 month since my last real fitness session.  That is ugly.
1 hour on court footwork and fitness.
1 hour of warmup and drills.  'Alley Rally' and 'Focus'.
I am toast.

Treadmill  26min.  1.5miles  330cals  105avg  no weights

[monstertruck]

Treadmill  50min.  3.1miles  796calories  114 avg heart rate.
Whew, I'm starvin'!

Treadmill 77min.  4.25miles  1056cal  115avg hrt rate
I feel good!

Treadmill 40min. 2.4miles  672calories  132 avg hrt rt   freeweights!
Time for turkey and squash!

Treadmill 31min. 2.1miles  410cals  120 avg   freeweights!
No pain just walking!

Treadmill 21min.  1.2miles  119avg

Treadmill  42min.  2.5miles  550cals  118avg  freeweights

Treadmill  64min.  3.75miles  860 cals  115avg  560curls  350raises

Treadmill  62min.  3.9miles  1003cals  121avg

Walk/Treadmill  93min  6.3miles  1385cals  125avg  no weights

Wow, over 1 month since my last real fitness session.  That is ugly.
1 hour on court footwork and fitness.
1 hour of warmup and drills.  'Alley Rally' and 'Focus'.
I am toast.

Treadmill  26min.  1.5miles  330cals  105avg  no weights

Treadmill  46min.  2.75miles  665cals  113avg  weights

[kickserve]

Treadmill  50min.  3.1miles  796calories  114 avg heart rate.
Whew, I'm starvin'!

Treadmill 77min.  4.25miles  1056cal  115avg hrt rate
I feel good!

Treadmill 40min. 2.4miles  672calories  132 avg hrt rt   freeweights!
Time for turkey and squash!

Treadmill 31min. 2.1miles  410cals  120 avg   freeweights!
No pain just walking!

Treadmill 21min.  1.2miles  119avg

Treadmill  42min.  2.5miles  550cals  118avg  freeweights

Treadmill  64min.  3.75miles  860 cals  115avg  560curls  350raises

Treadmill  62min.  3.9miles  1003cals  121avg

Walk/Treadmill  93min  6.3miles  1385cals  125avg  no weights

Wow, over 1 month since my last real fitness session.  That is ugly.
1 hour on court footwork and fitness.
1 hour of warmup and drills.  'Alley Rally' and 'Focus'.
I am toast.

Treadmill  26min.  1.5miles  330cals  105avg  no weights

Treadmill  46min.  2.75miles  665cals  113avg  weights

Nice going monster, but what does the last column mean? Your running with weights?

[monstertruck]

Treadmill  50min.  3.1miles  796calories  114 avg heart rate.
Whew, I'm starvin'!

Treadmill 77min.  4.25miles  1056cal  115avg hrt rate
I feel good!

Treadmill 40min. 2.4miles  672calories  132 avg hrt rt   freeweights!
Time for turkey and squash!

Treadmill 31min. 2.1miles  410cals  120 avg   freeweights!
No pain just walking!

Treadmill 21min.  1.2miles  119avg

Treadmill  42min.  2.5miles  550cals  118avg  freeweights

Treadmill  64min.  3.75miles  860 cals  115avg  560curls  350raises

Treadmill  62min.  3.9miles  1003cals  121avg

Walk/Treadmill  93min  6.3miles  1385cals  125avg  no weights

Wow, over 1 month since my last real fitness session.  That is ugly.
1 hour on court footwork and fitness.
1 hour of warmup and drills.  'Alley Rally' and 'Focus'.
I am toast.

Treadmill  26min.  1.5miles  330cals  105avg  no weights

Treadmill  46min.  2.75miles  665cals  113avg  weights

Nice going monster, but what does the last column mean? Your running with weights?

Please keep in mind there is very little running going on during these workouts!   A couple of 2 minute trots at 5mph is all my knees can take at this time.  Mostly walking at 3.7-4.2mph at an incline of 6-12%.  For a break I slow the pace and incline down and use 5lb weights to do curls, lateral and front raises and upright rows this keeps the heartrate up around 120+ and gives my legs a break.  I've also started using resistance bands to do chest and back workouts once I get off the treadmill.

[monstertruck]

Treadmill  50min.  3.1miles  796calories  114 avg heart rate.
Whew, I'm starvin'!

Treadmill 77min.  4.25miles  1056cal  115avg hrt rate
I feel good!

Treadmill 40min. 2.4miles  672calories  132 avg hrt rt   freeweights!
Time for turkey and squash!

Treadmill 31min. 2.1miles  410cals  120 avg   freeweights!
No pain just walking!

Treadmill 21min.  1.2miles  119avg

Treadmill  42min.  2.5miles  550cals  118avg  freeweights

Treadmill  64min.  3.75miles  860 cals  115avg  560curls  350raises

Treadmill  62min.  3.9miles  1003cals  121avg

Walk/Treadmill  93min  6.3miles  1385cals  125avg  no weights

Wow, over 1 month since my last real fitness session.  That is ugly.
1 hour on court footwork and fitness.
1 hour of warmup and drills.  'Alley Rally' and 'Focus'.
I am toast.

Treadmill  26min.  1.5miles  330cals  105avg  no weights

Treadmill  46min.  2.75miles  665cals  113avg  weights

Nice going monster, but what does the last column mean? Your running with weights?

Please keep in mind there is very little running going on during these workouts!   A couple of 2 minute trots at 5mph is all my knees can take at this time.  Mostly walking at 3.7-4.2mph at an incline of 6-12%.  For a break I slow the pace and incline down and use 5lb weights to do curls, lateral and front raises and upright rows this keeps the heartrate up around 120+ and gives my legs a break.  I've also started using resistance bands to do chest and back workouts once I get off the treadmill.

Treadmill 48min.  3.25miles  688cals  129avg  weights

[Tennis4you]

Still hitting it strong, very nice!  I need to get my butt in gear and start doing a little running.  I have a treadmill in the basement, a nice one too.  There is even a radio next to it to help with the time.  I am so darn lazy.

[monstertruck]

Still hitting it strong, very nice!  I need to get my butt in gear and start doing a little running.  I have a treadmill in the basement, a nice one too.  There is even a radio next to it to help with the time.  I am so darn lazy.

It's amazing what a little cross-training can do for your tennis!
From the sound of your journal you've had to focus on other things recently.  A quick trot on the treadmill along with some good tunes is a great way to energize yourself for the coming day.  I like early mornings the best.  Off for a light hit with my bro-in-law.  Sure will be good to get back on the court!  Have had the flu off and on for over a month now!!!

[Victor]

Still hitting it strong, very nice!  I need to get my butt in gear and start doing a little running.  I have a treadmill in the basement, a nice one too.  There is even a radio next to it to help with the time.  I am so darn lazy.

You sure are.. my visit to a gym takes 30 mins biking, I would love having a damn treadmill!

[OSU Buckeye]

I like the idea of biking way more than running, I have run.......and, it is not for me!   Besides, biking seems to work for Sparky!  Good to hear you are getting back on the court MT.  How did the hit with the bro-in-law go?     You better start working your kinks out now if you want a chance against Scooter and I in late Summer!   

[monstertruck]

I like the idea of biking way more than running, I have run.......and, it is not for me!   Besides, biking seems to work for Sparky!  Good to hear you are getting back on the court MT.  How did the hit with the bro-in-law go?     You better start working your kinks out now if you want a chance against Scooter and I in late Summer!   

Biking hurts my Monster Butt, I much prefer a trot or fast walk!
Hitting with Bro-in-law #2 was just what the doctor ordered.  Still feeling the effects of the virus, so a low-key social hit full of laughs was perfect.  We both had a good time and broke a sweat so we agreed to do it a couple of times a month from now on.

In regards to the Scooter Squash / Buckeye Bash coming this August, I've altered my Tues/Thurs evening competitive tennis schedule to allow for fitness/practice 3 times a week instead.  This will surely pay HUGE dividends as the #1 weakness in my game is immobility.

What's the latest on the Cinncy tourney?  Heard some rumor that it is going to be coed this year.....

[OSU Buckeye]

For some reason I was thinking the co-ed thing is happening starting in 2009 but not positive.  BTW, you working up on 1-G!   

[monstertruck]

For some reason I was thinking the co-ed thing is happening starting in 2009 but not positive.  BTW, you working up on 1-G!   

I'm so excited I could almost ________(fill in the blank).
I'll have to see if I can sneak it by late some night this week......

[Victor]

For some reason I was thinking the co-ed thing is happening starting in 2009 but not positive.  BTW, you working up on 1-G!   

I'm so excited I could almost ________(fill in the blank).
I'll have to see if I can sneak it by late some night this week......

Your practice is good enough, you just need to eat better, if you start eating smaller portions and less junk I assure you the weight will fly off, take that from someone who lost 15 kg 

[monstertruck]

For some reason I was thinking the co-ed thing is happening starting in 2009 but not positive.  BTW, you working up on 1-G!   

I'm so excited I could almost ________(fill in the blank).
I'll have to see if I can sneak it by late some night this week......

Your practice is good enough, you just need to eat better, if you start eating smaller portions and less junk I assure you the weight will fly off, take that from someone who lost 15 kg 

Thanks for the reminder Victor!  I've gone through this process twice before, once dropping 61lbs and the second time losing 72lbs!  It definitely takes both exercise and diet change for me to drop more than 10-20 lbs. 

I'd say my biggest downfall is Friday nights when we usually go out for fried haddock and wobbly pops. 

I don't eat junk during the week, but 3 out of 4 weekends per month we usually have some sort of family gathering which entails several meals of feasting and mass consumption of adult beverages.....

[monstertruck]

The perfect time for my 1K post.  Just finished 2.5 hours of social tennis with a 24 yr. old buddy.  Worked up a good sweat and got to practice some relaxation techniques on my serve.  Had some good laughs too as this guy is quite an athlete and was able to smack some wicked returns off my 'big serve'!  A few Sierras for a cool down and all is good in my world.  Will strive to improve the quality of my posts in the next 1K....that shouldn't be hard!

[OSU Buckeye]

Wobbly pops!         Good stuff yo!