Sunday, January 5, 2025 (Court Day #755)

After how relatively poorly played my last few outings, I was hoping for a rebound today as I drove to Brommer Park.

This was my first day of classes after a month off, so I couldn’t stay indefinitely. I needed to be on my way home no later than noon to change, eat, move things to my car and get out to Scotts Valley.

Brommer

It was sunny, but 48°F when I arrived at Brommer Park at 9:06 a.m. The parking lot was only about half full. I think the temperature scared some people away. 

My first game of the day was with a tall thin blonde woman named Tatiana who said she visits from Palo Alto now and then. I had never met her before. She and I lost, but I wouldn’t take that as a huge surprise, I think she’s a bit of a newer player but with a solid 3.0 level skill set. I played a couple of games with her, but then I wanted to get in with a more difficult group.

I played a game with Rick Arnold against a couple people and we won 11–4.

I played with a guy named Tony against Rick and René. We beat them a couple of times.

Then I played with a guy named Mike whom I’ve seen around. He’s is tall and his 60s, but has a solid game.

My last game was with Laura against Evan and John who is strong 3.0 level player. John was playing more to 3.5 level today. Laura and I lost 11–9 in that game—a game that we should’ve won, but I was dragging a bit. I was tired. On my way home, I was yawning in the car. It’s only the second time in my life that I remember having done that.

And?

I would give myself a C- grade for my play today. Things to work on… staying fully back behind the baseline while waiting for service returns, fully covering the middle. Basic stuff I teach in my classes! 

I had a few of my service returns sail long today and I wasn’t super happy about that. I missed a few of my serves, but that was when I was being tricky and trying to hit angles or otherwise take a risk… usually when we had a big lead.

I don’t lob a lot, but I do lob now and then to test my opponents. I hit two or three lobs that were not successfully returned, but I also had at least two or three lobs that were too short and gave my opponent slams. That’s the big risk with lobs. 

It was 59° when I left at 11:45 p.m. A little over an hour later, I was on my way to teach in Scotts Valley.

Monday, January 6, 2025 (No Play)

I’d never heard of the Apple Fitness+ streaming service, but today, new pickleball-specific features went live:
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/01/06/new-apple-fitness-programs-now-available

I’d missed it but these were announced last week:
https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/apple-fitness-plus-update-new-pickleball-b2673284.html

Number of days on a court: 755
Number of total hours: 3,055
Number of paid coaching hours: 102.5

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