Every Wednesday, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

Today’s word is FAITHFUL.

What does it mean?

Steadfast in affection or allegiance, loyal.

What am I faithful to?

I bet you thought that I would say RUNNING.

Nope.

Well, yes I am faithful or loyal to running.  But it is easy.  I know that in order to keep up my speed and endurance, I have to run at least 2-3 times each week and on the weekend, I either run a race or a long run or both.  I am always training for something and that makes it easy to be faithful to running.

But what I am faithful to is TENNIS.

I have been playing for over 15 years.  That still means that I was an adult onset tennis player. Like running, when I started, I gave it 150%. I took lessons, practiced everyday, and played on several teams. I bought numerous tennis outfits.   I was obsessed with the sport.

Since I discovered my passion for running, things have changed.  I don’t take tennis lessons or play on any teams and rarely buy anything tennis-related. But I still play and will always play (for as long as I am able)

Why is it difficult to be faithful?

• It takes time away from running. It’s frustrating especially when the weather is perfect to run.
• It’s expensive.  You can’t just play. You have to join a club $$$. You have pay for a contract. $$ You have to keep up your equipment $ (racket, strings, shoes)
• You can’t just do it when you want. I play doubles so I  need 3 others. And court time, etc.
• You can’t just do it anywhere.  I have to drive in the traffic after work to play because that’s when and where my contract is.
• You can’t just play with anyone.  You need to play with someone at your level or it’s not fun.
• There’s always a score.  It can be fun but you have to keep score and there’s always a loser.
• How you do depends on your partner and your opponents.  You can play well but if your partner doesn’t, well you won’t win the points and vice versa.  You can play well and your opponents are better, the same thing will occur.

So why will I always be faithful?

• It’s was the first athletic thing I’ve ever done in my life.
• It got me through the most difficult period in my life
• My closest friends are the ones I have made on the tennis court.
• I have so many great memories of tennis competitions and victories.
• It is very social. There’s a lot conversation that takes place on the tennis courts.
• Mindfulness.  You can’t daydream.  You must keep your mind in the game.
• Exercise.  It’s aerobic.  You run and there’s some upper body movements going on (I hope.)
• Variety. There’s serving, net play, lobbing, ground strokes, baseline play, overheads, etc.
• There’s more to it than the score.  Working on your strokes, setting up your partner, coming back from a deficit, holding a lead, etc.
• It’s challenging. It’s always good to challenge yourself.
• I love to watch the pros play (Roger Federer <3)
• I love my annual tennis vacations in Florida.
• I look forward to parties and dinner outings with my tennis friends throughout the year.
• I get to wear cute tennis skirts.

I could go on and on but I’ll stop.  You get the idea.

So I only play tennis 3 times a month.  I’m not as good as I used to be. But I am faithful to tennis and hope to be for a long time.

Happy Running! Are you faithful to another activity besides running?