Yes less than two weeks to the World Cup and before anyone asks, of course England can win it. Mind you I always think that.
Of course its also not long to my holiday, only 4 weeks in fact and I'm looking forward to it but a little apprehensive, never done a organised singles holiday and just hoping I get on with the others on the trip.
So what else is happening, well not a lot to be honest been spending a bit of time getting the garden in shape, been digging some overgrown areas this morning it was hard goig but the exercise will do me good.
To be honest I needed it because last week I was out 3 nights in succesion due to Pool matches, team on Monday, was in the area doubles semi on tuesday which we sadly watched and Wednesday I went to support my mate who was in the over 40's final but again a defeat. Hope this isn't a sign of things to come because I'm in the Mens last 8 on Wednesday this week, am only player left in from our team.
I'm also busy setting the quiz for the local TT league presentation evening coming up soon, I usually do it for them dnd its proving popular, think they like me to do it because if I not I'd probably win, lol.
Also toying with the idea of starting to play golf again, one of the local courses has a good membership deal at present and some friends have joined. It'll cost about £300 so Iuld need to play a average of once per week to make it really worthwile. I've hardly played over the last couple of years because of other things but sort of reckon I've got time now and should give it a go. It could actually replace a bit of the walking I do and would be exercise.
On a good note following my last post and setting targets at TT I can report I've made slight progress I've gone up 3 places in the over 40's rankings from 149 to 146. Ok still a long way to my target of top 100 but at least its a step in the right direction.
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Not Fit Enough
As I've said previousy I've made a decision to play the Veterans Table Tennis Circuit season, its both competitive but social. Over the past few seasons I've played Vetts team competions (national league, county & Yorkshire league).
So last weekend I travelled to Bristol to enter the National Championships and what a impressive event it was, in the region of 300 to 400 competitors playing in five seperate age groups (over 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's & 80's). Yes over 80's although it was mixed (men & women) where other ages had seperate sex vents, they managed to get 14 players, can't really see me performing at that age but who knows, lol.
30 tables were in operation with saturday about qualification, you played a group of four (all play all over 5 sets), the top two going into the main event and the bottom two into the plate (consolation) competition.
I entered two events over 40 & 50 singles, didn't play in the doubles but maybe I'll get a partner fr future tournaments.
Saturday I was really pleased with my performance coming 2nd in my group in both events so qualifying for both main events, the standard was very high so that was good. Over 40's was actually the easiest, the player who won the group was clearly strongest (ranked about 50 nationally) although I was the only one to take a set off him. The player finishing 4th was the weakest by far and not really a problem so it was me and the other player to see who came 2nd and qualified. Luckiy he was a defender and I love playing defensive players so comfortably won in straight sets.
The over 50's looked a bad draw with the England ranked No7 in the group. However the others weren't pushovers either in fact my first match I looked like losing, just couldn't get my good shots working against a awkward player. I trailed 2 sets to 1 and in the 4th my opponent had me on the ropes with 4 match points, I somehow managed to claw them back to steal the set then went on to take the 5th and deciding set. A win against the other player left me and the national number 7 playing for top spot and I managed my best performance of the weekend but eventually lost by the closest of margins at deuce in the 5th set when it was 2 sets apiece.
That performance filled me with confidence for sundays knockout stages but alas I ended up dissapointed although I did reach the last 32 of the over 40's but that was down to a good draw. I never beat anyone I wouldn't be expected to beat and the player I entually succumbed to was very strong (in top 30).
Sadly I went out in the last 64 in the over 50's, although it was to the national no19 I just didn't perform, in fact I came off gutted I feel its a player I feel could beat.
The truth is I just wasn't fit enough for a 2 day tournament, after saturdays efforts my muscles ached and it was tough to get moving. My body wasn't flexible and I was too slow around the court, found myself reaching for shots rather than moving and getting down low.
I also think I've got to set myself targets if I play nationally and the only way to achieve them will be to get fitter, faster, stronger and improve my recovery rate. Losing weight will help as will doing more physical stuff and training hard, this will now be my motivation.
For the record I'm targetting a top 30 ranking in the over 50's (currently not ranked) and top 100 in the over 40's (currently 149).
My next event is a ratings tournament (over 40's only) at Hinkley, leicestershire, in mid July. Basically you play a group of 8 over one day and all the players are of similar standard (ranking) so will be tough. Its only a week after my holiday so will be a hard test physically I'm sure.
So last weekend I travelled to Bristol to enter the National Championships and what a impressive event it was, in the region of 300 to 400 competitors playing in five seperate age groups (over 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's & 80's). Yes over 80's although it was mixed (men & women) where other ages had seperate sex vents, they managed to get 14 players, can't really see me performing at that age but who knows, lol.
30 tables were in operation with saturday about qualification, you played a group of four (all play all over 5 sets), the top two going into the main event and the bottom two into the plate (consolation) competition.
I entered two events over 40 & 50 singles, didn't play in the doubles but maybe I'll get a partner fr future tournaments.
Saturday I was really pleased with my performance coming 2nd in my group in both events so qualifying for both main events, the standard was very high so that was good. Over 40's was actually the easiest, the player who won the group was clearly strongest (ranked about 50 nationally) although I was the only one to take a set off him. The player finishing 4th was the weakest by far and not really a problem so it was me and the other player to see who came 2nd and qualified. Luckiy he was a defender and I love playing defensive players so comfortably won in straight sets.
The over 50's looked a bad draw with the England ranked No7 in the group. However the others weren't pushovers either in fact my first match I looked like losing, just couldn't get my good shots working against a awkward player. I trailed 2 sets to 1 and in the 4th my opponent had me on the ropes with 4 match points, I somehow managed to claw them back to steal the set then went on to take the 5th and deciding set. A win against the other player left me and the national number 7 playing for top spot and I managed my best performance of the weekend but eventually lost by the closest of margins at deuce in the 5th set when it was 2 sets apiece.
That performance filled me with confidence for sundays knockout stages but alas I ended up dissapointed although I did reach the last 32 of the over 40's but that was down to a good draw. I never beat anyone I wouldn't be expected to beat and the player I entually succumbed to was very strong (in top 30).
Sadly I went out in the last 64 in the over 50's, although it was to the national no19 I just didn't perform, in fact I came off gutted I feel its a player I feel could beat.
The truth is I just wasn't fit enough for a 2 day tournament, after saturdays efforts my muscles ached and it was tough to get moving. My body wasn't flexible and I was too slow around the court, found myself reaching for shots rather than moving and getting down low.
I also think I've got to set myself targets if I play nationally and the only way to achieve them will be to get fitter, faster, stronger and improve my recovery rate. Losing weight will help as will doing more physical stuff and training hard, this will now be my motivation.
For the record I'm targetting a top 30 ranking in the over 50's (currently not ranked) and top 100 in the over 40's (currently 149).
My next event is a ratings tournament (over 40's only) at Hinkley, leicestershire, in mid July. Basically you play a group of 8 over one day and all the players are of similar standard (ranking) so will be tough. Its only a week after my holiday so will be a hard test physically I'm sure.
Saturday, 8 May 2010
On the way back
Today Leeds United were promoted after 10 years that as seen two relegations, administration, two points deductions, two play off defeats, all our stars leaving, etc. We are on the way back to the big time and nothing can stop us.
Let the party begin.
MOT
Let the party begin.
MOT
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Time to vote
Well its election time and what a tough choice it is, don't think anyone knows what the make up of our next government will be.
Its an election following a recession which on the face of it is a easy wy to blame the current Labour regime. However I'm not going to blame them, this is a world recession and it wouldn't have made any difference whoever was in power.
However the way we will now deal with our National debt is the major issue I believe should be considered.
The way I see it you have ignore the minor parties and go for one of the main three. I can't see anyway the liberal democrats can actually get into power and I reckon they realise that, their policies seem to promise too much which will gain them a lot of votes. Obviously because they wont be in sole power they wont need to fulfill these policies (like cut tax) but are pushing for votes to create a "hung" parliment. Then they will agree a coalition with either the Tories or Labour.
So that leaves us with the main two and the choice is whether you think we should go with massive public spending cuts and vote Tory or vote or a big tax rise and vote labour.
Personally I would have voted for a party that would have been brave and honest enough to say they woud cut spending and raise taxes, I really believe we should all take a major hit to significantly reduce the National debt. If we don't it will hang over us for years and to me we cant move forward as a country.
I know there are many other things that concern people such as Jobs, immigration, wars, crime, etc. but this election the important thing is the ecomomy.
For the record after much thought I've gone with the current Labour government, my main reason been that I believe a change in policy nw would be dangerous and don't want to take the risk.
Saying that I think a hung parliment is the most lkely outcome, maybe that would be a good thing, get everyone working together for all our good instead of fighting each other.
Its an election following a recession which on the face of it is a easy wy to blame the current Labour regime. However I'm not going to blame them, this is a world recession and it wouldn't have made any difference whoever was in power.
However the way we will now deal with our National debt is the major issue I believe should be considered.
The way I see it you have ignore the minor parties and go for one of the main three. I can't see anyway the liberal democrats can actually get into power and I reckon they realise that, their policies seem to promise too much which will gain them a lot of votes. Obviously because they wont be in sole power they wont need to fulfill these policies (like cut tax) but are pushing for votes to create a "hung" parliment. Then they will agree a coalition with either the Tories or Labour.
So that leaves us with the main two and the choice is whether you think we should go with massive public spending cuts and vote Tory or vote or a big tax rise and vote labour.
Personally I would have voted for a party that would have been brave and honest enough to say they woud cut spending and raise taxes, I really believe we should all take a major hit to significantly reduce the National debt. If we don't it will hang over us for years and to me we cant move forward as a country.
I know there are many other things that concern people such as Jobs, immigration, wars, crime, etc. but this election the important thing is the ecomomy.
For the record after much thought I've gone with the current Labour government, my main reason been that I believe a change in policy nw would be dangerous and don't want to take the risk.
Saying that I think a hung parliment is the most lkely outcome, maybe that would be a good thing, get everyone working together for all our good instead of fighting each other.
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