One morning a blogger friend asked me how I am doing. I told him that I am turning bad. “Turning bad?” Clueless, he asked. “I am turning an addict, a badminton addict I mean.” I replied. How did I come to an idea that I am turning one?
First, I play it 3 to 4 times a week. I even skip my weight training and running so that I can play, and ever I go to the gym, I would exercise my wrist and forearm only. Yeah, I would look like an idiot picking up a two-pound dumbbell and rotate my wrist clockwise and counterclockwise like a boxer skipping rope. I am not sure if any of my gym mates knew why I am doing this.
Second, I bought a new racket. It’s a Yonex Nano 500, obviously with a nano technology. Now, what is nano technology? Just type nano in Wikipedia or favorite search engine. Hehehe. Aside from a new racket, I bought four condom grips, two football sport jerseys, and two Adidas clima cool shirts. My non-marking sole rubber shoes needs replacement but it can wait.
Third, I invite all my friends and acquaintances to play badminton with us. Yes, I do not choose my opponents. It does not matter if they’re beginner or not as long as he or she can hit a shuttle cock with a racket, they’re in. I could even spend some time to teach them.
Fourth, I dreamt and day dreamt playing badminton. Can you imagine that?
Lastly, I have been blogging and twittering it since the last two months. I think it would be the subject of this blog until the tournament finals. I can bore you with it but hey, I am an addict right?
Who would want to join me in my addiction?
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Butterflies
The elimination games for our badminton tournament will start two days from now. It will be a new system for me since it is a 35-point single set game. I am used to race to 21 with three sets. They said this is the standard for most private and open tournaments because of the number of teams participating.
The last tournament I participated was two years ago and right now I am having butterflies in my stomach thinking that we will be facing with really good teams. I know that we have a good line-up for this year yet what if the other teams have also beefed up theirs. There is only one way to find out.
The last tournament I participated was two years ago and right now I am having butterflies in my stomach thinking that we will be facing with really good teams. I know that we have a good line-up for this year yet what if the other teams have also beefed up theirs. There is only one way to find out.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tryout
I need players. The season for our inter-agency summer sports fest will start in the next few weeks and I am creating our badminton lineup. This year many interested individuals enlist their names for the tryout. There were new names and that made me excited since I would be witnessing new faces playing. I could get better players.
Within the two hours of the tryout, only six arrived, two from the mother office and four from the satellite office. I am a little disappointed but I thought that maybe this is better. If more had come, I might just hurt some feelings because not all will be part of the team. Luckily, all who came to the tryout are good ones. Thus, all six are now official players of the team.
Tryouts are really for people who love the game. These people have the passion and the persistence to get what they want no matter how difficult the means to get it. One of the players who went to the tryout told me that the venue is too far that is why some of their co-workers choose not to go. I find that reasoning ridiculous. Why did their co-workers made to the tryout then? They all came from the same direction. I know that these people could be good or even better than those who had come, but I do not like people who just think about themselves. Sport is a discipline. It entails sacrifices.
In agencies such as ours where athletes are not in scarcity, one person could play multiple games. These people are good but you cannot serve two masters efficiently at the same time. Unfortunately, these same people have ballooning egos. They thought that because they are good players they do not have to go to tryouts. They would get the slot automatically. However, this is one attitude I never like. I would rather opt for people who have respect of the game and their co-athletes.
In the coming weeks, there would be regular practices. The players would still be at test how much they love the game by regularly attending the practice. I have another policy, No Practice, No Play.
Within the two hours of the tryout, only six arrived, two from the mother office and four from the satellite office. I am a little disappointed but I thought that maybe this is better. If more had come, I might just hurt some feelings because not all will be part of the team. Luckily, all who came to the tryout are good ones. Thus, all six are now official players of the team.
Tryouts are really for people who love the game. These people have the passion and the persistence to get what they want no matter how difficult the means to get it. One of the players who went to the tryout told me that the venue is too far that is why some of their co-workers choose not to go. I find that reasoning ridiculous. Why did their co-workers made to the tryout then? They all came from the same direction. I know that these people could be good or even better than those who had come, but I do not like people who just think about themselves. Sport is a discipline. It entails sacrifices.
In agencies such as ours where athletes are not in scarcity, one person could play multiple games. These people are good but you cannot serve two masters efficiently at the same time. Unfortunately, these same people have ballooning egos. They thought that because they are good players they do not have to go to tryouts. They would get the slot automatically. However, this is one attitude I never like. I would rather opt for people who have respect of the game and their co-athletes.
In the coming weeks, there would be regular practices. The players would still be at test how much they love the game by regularly attending the practice. I have another policy, No Practice, No Play.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Ice massage?
Common solution that most of us gym-goers think or do is to have a massage if we feel some discomfort in our bodies after a workout. Yesterday afternoon when I was logged in to a chatroom I saw a status message of one of my online friends that said, “Needs a deep tissue massage.” I did not pay any attention to the message because I thought he knows what he is doing and what is best for his body.
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is especially helpful for chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, and sore shoulders.
Deep tissue is deep tissue. It can hurt the person having it so one should know when to get it. As a trained masseur myself, I always advise my patient not to have a massage if there is swelling on the body. Massaging the swollen area would only worsen the condition.
When I arrived home, my online friend asked me what he could do to relieve the swelling on his body. I told him to apply cold compress and do not get the massage he intends. Unfortunately, he told me he already did. He said that he also put “efficascent oil”. I asked him if the oil is hot. He said yes.
Anything that is hot when applied to a swollen area of the body will worsen the swelling because more blood will flow to the vessels. The vessels would expand because of the heat. The best remedy to swelling is ice.
“Everything that is heated expands. Isn’t it that when you’re mad you feel like bursting?” I joked to my friend. “And what do we do to settle down our anger? Put our heads inside the freezer.” I think he got my point so he said he would try that next time he would suffer with the same condition.
Ice is the best remedy for anything that is swollen. Ask your doctor and tell me I am wrong. Massage? Bad idea.
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is especially helpful for chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, and sore shoulders.
Deep tissue is deep tissue. It can hurt the person having it so one should know when to get it. As a trained masseur myself, I always advise my patient not to have a massage if there is swelling on the body. Massaging the swollen area would only worsen the condition.
When I arrived home, my online friend asked me what he could do to relieve the swelling on his body. I told him to apply cold compress and do not get the massage he intends. Unfortunately, he told me he already did. He said that he also put “efficascent oil”. I asked him if the oil is hot. He said yes.
Anything that is hot when applied to a swollen area of the body will worsen the swelling because more blood will flow to the vessels. The vessels would expand because of the heat. The best remedy to swelling is ice.
“Everything that is heated expands. Isn’t it that when you’re mad you feel like bursting?” I joked to my friend. “And what do we do to settle down our anger? Put our heads inside the freezer.” I think he got my point so he said he would try that next time he would suffer with the same condition.
Ice is the best remedy for anything that is swollen. Ask your doctor and tell me I am wrong. Massage? Bad idea.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
First Run
It is the start of the year and everyone would want to get into the fitness craze. Yes, I said fitness craze because just like any “craze” it is just temporary. The people that I see during my morning runs would eventually trickle down and by the end of the first quarter; I would be the only one left running. It is an exaggeration of course.
Two weeks ago, a housemate indicated his intention of running. I thought that he was just joking but when he arrived home one evening with a newly bought pair of running shoes, I thought, “Okay, you are serious.” The following early morning, he joined me in my morning run. Until now, he is running even without my company. That is what we call determination, perseverance, and discipline. These are the essential virtues to survive running.
All beginners in running must first take into account their physical health. This means that beginners who have doubts of their health must head to the direction of the medical clinic. This is to make sure that you are fit for a rigorous activity. Otherwise, if you were that person who could run or jog straight for thirty minutes, a 5-kilometer run for a start would not harm you a bit.
Given that you are fit, here are some tips to enjoy and finish your first run.
Day before the run. Eat well the day before the run and drink lots of fluids. If you have been training for the said run, you should be resting this day or you could just indulge in some recreational activity. Some runners would like to carbo load the night before the run. You can do likewise but do not overload.
Do not hydrate much during the night because you might frequent the comfort room interrupting your precious sleep.
Prepare your running gear before hitting the bed. Looking for these items the following day may take time. Runs always start on time. Always take note of that.
Sleep well. The number of hours of sleep depends on your normal sleeping hours. Use an alarm to make sure you wake up on time.
Before the gun starts. After waking up the following day, drink a glass of water. If you are not use to eating early in the morning, skip it. The 5km run would not consume all the energy you packed the previous day. Make sure you would do all the morning rituals (natural) you are accustomed to do.
In the event area, proceed to the check-in area or counter. This is where your participation is validated or confirmed. Once you are checked-in, you can proceed with your warm-up. You do not need to run or jog to get warmed-up. You can do jumping jacks until you feel your heartbeat accelerates and you feel your first sweat. After warming up, stretch. Start from the foot upward.
After stretching, look for a drinking station and take a gulp or two. Do not drink too much because that would be heavy in the gut when you run. Afterwards, look for the urinals and empty your bladder. Do all the nature calls possible because you would not like to feel uncomfortable during the run. After this comforting, proceed to the starting area.
You are a newbie. Do not line in front of the starting line or in the middle of the pack. Position yourself on the sidelines. Do not start on the last line, either. You would surely feel abandoned once that gun starts.
During the run. Always start slow. If you see other runners passing you, let them be because for sure, after 10 minutes of running, these people would be panting hard and ran slow. Maintain your pacing. Relax your muscles and joints, loosen them, and do not run stiff. If you are not yet familiar with your pace, try to create a rhythm.
For example, take a deep breath on the first three steps and exhale all the air on the fourth step. Repeat the cycle and Keep that rhythm until it becomes second nature to you while running. This will regulate your breathing and would cultivate your respiration pace as well as your running pace.
Most beginners would feel like surrendering after they feel exhausted or when they feel that they are already gasping for air. Our sports doctor told us that when we feel this, it means that we have expended the energy that carbohydrates have provided and there is some sort of energy shift occurring inside our body. From carbohydrates, our stored energy from fat would be available next for spending or burning. This is what we usually call our second wind. The best thing to do is just to slow down your pace until we regain our energy. Stopping to a walk would only abruptly stop the momentum of our running.
Water stations would greet you possibly on the turn-around of the 5k event. Do not be tempted to stop and drink. It would consume seconds of your running time and would be heavy in your stomach. If you really need that drink because you feel dryness in your throat or lips or mouth, grab a glass and just take a sip or two. That would be enough to carry you to the finish line.
After the run. Assuming that you have reached the finish line and receive all the freebies of a finisher, do not slump on a corner or below a shaded tree. Look for an open space and start cooling down. You can do all the stretching you did after warming up, only half the repetitions. Stretch well. if you can find some free stretching station in the area, avail it. Drink an energy drink or water as much as you can. You can munch a banana to replenish the potassium lost during the run.
After the run, celebrate. Eat as much as you can. This is your first run and you successfully crossed the finish line. Take a break from running two or three days but return to it because you still have three more 5-kilometer runs until you bore yourself from it. I am sure that the 10 kilometer run would be a challenge for you.
See you at the starting line, again!
Two weeks ago, a housemate indicated his intention of running. I thought that he was just joking but when he arrived home one evening with a newly bought pair of running shoes, I thought, “Okay, you are serious.” The following early morning, he joined me in my morning run. Until now, he is running even without my company. That is what we call determination, perseverance, and discipline. These are the essential virtues to survive running.
All beginners in running must first take into account their physical health. This means that beginners who have doubts of their health must head to the direction of the medical clinic. This is to make sure that you are fit for a rigorous activity. Otherwise, if you were that person who could run or jog straight for thirty minutes, a 5-kilometer run for a start would not harm you a bit.
Given that you are fit, here are some tips to enjoy and finish your first run.
Day before the run. Eat well the day before the run and drink lots of fluids. If you have been training for the said run, you should be resting this day or you could just indulge in some recreational activity. Some runners would like to carbo load the night before the run. You can do likewise but do not overload.
Do not hydrate much during the night because you might frequent the comfort room interrupting your precious sleep.
Prepare your running gear before hitting the bed. Looking for these items the following day may take time. Runs always start on time. Always take note of that.
Sleep well. The number of hours of sleep depends on your normal sleeping hours. Use an alarm to make sure you wake up on time.
Before the gun starts. After waking up the following day, drink a glass of water. If you are not use to eating early in the morning, skip it. The 5km run would not consume all the energy you packed the previous day. Make sure you would do all the morning rituals (natural) you are accustomed to do.
In the event area, proceed to the check-in area or counter. This is where your participation is validated or confirmed. Once you are checked-in, you can proceed with your warm-up. You do not need to run or jog to get warmed-up. You can do jumping jacks until you feel your heartbeat accelerates and you feel your first sweat. After warming up, stretch. Start from the foot upward.
After stretching, look for a drinking station and take a gulp or two. Do not drink too much because that would be heavy in the gut when you run. Afterwards, look for the urinals and empty your bladder. Do all the nature calls possible because you would not like to feel uncomfortable during the run. After this comforting, proceed to the starting area.
You are a newbie. Do not line in front of the starting line or in the middle of the pack. Position yourself on the sidelines. Do not start on the last line, either. You would surely feel abandoned once that gun starts.
During the run. Always start slow. If you see other runners passing you, let them be because for sure, after 10 minutes of running, these people would be panting hard and ran slow. Maintain your pacing. Relax your muscles and joints, loosen them, and do not run stiff. If you are not yet familiar with your pace, try to create a rhythm.
For example, take a deep breath on the first three steps and exhale all the air on the fourth step. Repeat the cycle and Keep that rhythm until it becomes second nature to you while running. This will regulate your breathing and would cultivate your respiration pace as well as your running pace.
Most beginners would feel like surrendering after they feel exhausted or when they feel that they are already gasping for air. Our sports doctor told us that when we feel this, it means that we have expended the energy that carbohydrates have provided and there is some sort of energy shift occurring inside our body. From carbohydrates, our stored energy from fat would be available next for spending or burning. This is what we usually call our second wind. The best thing to do is just to slow down your pace until we regain our energy. Stopping to a walk would only abruptly stop the momentum of our running.
Water stations would greet you possibly on the turn-around of the 5k event. Do not be tempted to stop and drink. It would consume seconds of your running time and would be heavy in your stomach. If you really need that drink because you feel dryness in your throat or lips or mouth, grab a glass and just take a sip or two. That would be enough to carry you to the finish line.
After the run. Assuming that you have reached the finish line and receive all the freebies of a finisher, do not slump on a corner or below a shaded tree. Look for an open space and start cooling down. You can do all the stretching you did after warming up, only half the repetitions. Stretch well. if you can find some free stretching station in the area, avail it. Drink an energy drink or water as much as you can. You can munch a banana to replenish the potassium lost during the run.
After the run, celebrate. Eat as much as you can. This is your first run and you successfully crossed the finish line. Take a break from running two or three days but return to it because you still have three more 5-kilometer runs until you bore yourself from it. I am sure that the 10 kilometer run would be a challenge for you.
See you at the starting line, again!
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