Wednesday, August 7, 2019 (Court Day #293)
53rd day out playing lefty. Tennis elbow.
Carrie texted me in the middle of the night, which I slept right through. She was really stressed over the tournament and was suggesting that I find another partner—though she’d play if I couldn’t since she didn’t want to leave me in a lurch.
After trying to encourage her last night: “it’s just a game”, “the goal is to have fun”, etc. This morning, she was still wanting to back out but not leave me without a partner. She was suggesting that Janet might be available.
Derby
I arrived at Derby Park pretty close to 9:30. Moving slowly.
There are days where you just want to take up another sport. Except for the last couple of games, today was one of those. I was simply not playing well. No ifs ands or buts.
Carrie and I played a game against Binh and Olga. We got clobbered.
Carrie and I played a game against Cal and Ron. Cal was his reliable self. We lost 11-0.
Things were not going well. Bing suggested Carrie and I play a game against Ron and newbie Jazmine. We won that one but it wasn’t as decisive as it should have been.
Carrie and my last game was against Kevin and Rich. Surprisingly, we held our own, leading 3-2 at one point. We did eventually lose 11-5 or 11-6, but that was expected. Afterward, Rich asked if we wanted some advice. He and Kevin then suggested to Carrie that she stay closer to me and not leave a hole down the middle. (Rich had hit two or three winners down the middle from my right to my left.)
Close to noon, Carrie had to leave to teach an art class.
Binh and I played a game against Rick and Ted B. We were fairly solid. Like most of the morning, I was returning right side serves with my right hand. I hit a high ball to my right side right-handed off the court for a winner. Binh and I won probably something like 11-5. I don’t recall.
Eric and played a game against Olga and . . . was it Janet? I can’t remember. We lost. Eric said, “I’m not fast enough to cover for you like Binh is.” Yep, Binh has to clean up my “messes” sometimes. But Binh isn’t perfect either, of course. But he does get some shots that you might not expect him to get.
Tournament
After some play today and talking to Carrie, she was far more comfortable with the idea of playing in 3.0 instead of 3.5. After figuring out who was playing in 3.5—like Olga and Jane—she didn’t want to play in 3.5. She was feeling very outclassed. And, to be honest, after playing crappy today, I’m thinking 3.5 would be a stretch for me also . . . so since we are playing as a TEAM and Carrie is the weak link—though after today I have to wonder about that!—3.0 makes the most sense.
I emailed Mike Hoxie of Pickleball is Great, the tournament director, and I received a call a couple of hours later from Gigi on my home answering machine as I was getting ready for work saying they’d moved us to 3.0. Success. I texted Carrie and she is ready to play and is much happier.
There are far fewer locals in the lower bracket. Kristin Long and Mike Ballard. I’m not sure if I know Mike. I know a Mike, but I’m not sure if he’s the Mike. The Mike I know is closer to a 4.0 than a 3.0. The other local-ish team is Sharon Goldau and Jim Dal Porto. I’ve seen Jim at Brommer fairly regularly. Sharon, I can’t picture, but I bet I’d recognize her.
Thursday, August 8, 2019 (No Play)
So, my right arm is definitely not ready for a return. It’s been mildly aching up my forearm all day. And it’s sorer at the elbow bone with pressure. The aching is hard to describe. It’s a combination of a mild burning sensation and a dull ache.
There are times when I get depressed and frustrated about my pickleball universe. I want to play right-handed. I am so much better playing right-handed. Getting a taste of playing right handed was necessary since I need to know if I’m ready to switch back. But it’s also super frustrating. I play so much better right-handed, but I shouldn’t since it’s a chronic injury!
Friday, August 9, 2019 (No Play)
Tournament tomorrow. My right elbow is still aching some. A little better than yesterday, thought it’s still pretty sore when I press near the elbow.
Number of days on a court: 293
Number of total hours: 810.5
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