Getting fitter (me)

[RayMondo]

Well, I did my warm-up, the stretching, my 10ml early morning ride, so I figure I'd done my Carbon Offsetting, so just to chill out I did 100mls in the beasty car, (like how do I figure that equation - well it takes 10x more effort to ride than drive!!). Anyway, back to the point - I wondered how the many months of biking hills every morning would set me up for running, as I intend to make a Badminton comeback (I mean competition, and play down in a lower age group). It's a punishing sport, lots of leaping around, really hard on the knees, and potential for things to go twaaang anywhere. I've seen 2 people snap an Achilles, and others drop in agony with a knee all wrong-looking.

About 10 ten days ago I began running on alternate days, still doing the cycling, and that running action and lung power was way down - tight in the calves, not enough air getting in - and I wondered if I'd be able to get it back and how long it would take. The thought of "age" even (nah, cr*p).

I persisted, taking it slow, mind. Then after only 4 runs the engine breather kicked in, the legs kept a turning - and there I was cruisin' miles. I really can't believe it after so little running the past few years. So, then low and behold, a long lost friend replies to my search. It's my Badminton coach, UK National champ, at that time. So in a few weeks time, after pushing the pace and distance a bit, hit the game again. I'm taking a long time to build up even before I hit the courts, as I can only think in the same terms as I used to play (by the way, the used to word, is no longer part of my vocabulary, merely to make the point), that being, to me it's not worth playing unless I beat my opponent to a pleading-for-mercy pulp! Still, I've got to attain a level of aerobic fitness an order of magnitude higher than I currenly have, or my lungs will bust after 15 shots. (Bike interval sprints should help and won't hammer the knees like road running).

So here's an introductory vid to my third passion (sorry 4th). To match this pace is not needed for seniors, but - no limits heh! Enjoy the display. Meanwhile, it's back to rubberising my ligaments so I can once again do this stuff. Planning a US tour for the Spring. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtWVCDvlqAw&NR=1

[Malibu]

Ray,

Good work and congrats on the improved results! It's been said you're only as old as you feel but I say you're only as old as you allow yourself to get.

[BeDrinkable]

That is indeed a fascinating sport (especially for an American)! I wish you luck in getting back into it.

[Andy Livo]

All the best Ray. Keep it up. Badders is a great sport. So underrated in the UK where we are awash with football and pretty well nothing else.

[Malibu]

All the best Ray. Keep it up. Badders is a great sport. So underrated in the UK where we are awash with football and pretty well nothing else.

To say nothing of it here in the US where it is a backyard picnic pastime. Intense when played for serious.

[RayMondo]

Despite it's not a major sport in the US, there are some fab courts around. You guys don't mess about when it comes to building them. Many of them are maple wood, and sprung. You can feel that slight give when you go pounding in toward the net. A real knee saver. So much better than linoleum and cement. And great maple syrup too. Can't wait to get over for my next blow-out of pancakes! And cream! Even that makes it worth the training.

Well, thanks for watching the vids. There are many on the Web. Incidentally, Badminton is recognised at the fastest racket sport. The fastest recorded smash is 332 kph or 206 mph. I heard that current microwave sensors are not capable of recording higher speeds!

http://fasthing.blogspot.com/2008/08/fa ... smash.html