Yesterday I was talking about reconnecting with old friends.  Tonight I reconnect with another old friend.  TENNIS!

It is with mixed feelings.  I like playing tennis.  I love my tennis friends!!! Watching the US Open makes me wish that I was really good at it.

Yes, I was surprised, too.

However, truthfully, it cuts into my running time. I have to schedule running around tennis because you can run at any time and you can run anywhere and you can’t just not show up for a tennis match.

But for tennis, it is different.  I didn’t play tennis for 6 months and it wasn’t that difficult to play again.  I’ve only played a few times this summer and I haven’t played in a few weeks and I know I can just go out there and play. (I wish running were that easy to get back into.)

It’s not that it’s because I’m that good. Pros have to put in the time. I’m pretty mediocre so it doesn’t really matter.  I play doubles and if my partner plays well, it is easier.  If my partner does not, we don’t win even if I play great. (It’s not an individual effort like running.)

I know that when I go out there I will want to win but if I am not playing a USTA match, I don’t get down on myself if I don’t win.

the competitive me in 2010

Before I started running, I was very serious about tennis.  I played all the time, took lessons, practiced, read tennis magazines, bought tennis outfits & shoes, etc.

Now, I just play for exercise and camaraderie and for fun. (They seem like good reasons to continue to me.)

Because it’s take four to play tennis,  you can’t be casual about it. So like last year, I organized a group of 5 women to play on Monday nights for 34 weeks. That means that everyone sits out once every 5 weeks.  I am also part of a Tuesday night group in which I only play once a month.

I try not to play tennis and run on the same day but sometimes I just have to run!

Happy Running! What gets in the way of your running schedule? Should I stop playing tennis?