2013 Chicago Marathon Registration Now Open: Lessons Tennis Players Can Learn from Runners

Chicago Marathon 2013 signups are opened yesterday February 20, 2013. Typically, within the next 24-48 hours it will be sold. If you want to sign-up, act now! Naturally the memories of my 5^th hour ordeal from yesteryear came rushing back. I was punished severely for running without logging a single day of practice.  My lesson and experience epitomised the saying “Youth is wasted on the young”; childhood folly allows us to take short cuts that become clear mistakes in the eyes of experience and wisdom.

I told a few people I might run just to psyche myself into commitment. I never did register. Closer to the date I searched around for a charity bib from entrants who could not run. One of those was a group of kids under 10 who I enjoy coaching immensely. In their kind eyes, I am a combination of cool, funny, exciting, and wise; one step short of a super hero. It is an easy bill to fit. Contrary to their parents, and nannies, Coach D’s performance is assessed over our weekly 2 hour tennis class. The classes consist of a perfected routine of fun drills and games and delivered in recycled catch phrases and precontemplated well-timed jokes. The routine always hits the desired effect, the lessons are a breeze.  

My announcement to run the marathon was followed by a barrage of questions.

“Have you been practicing”?

“I average 12 hours of coaching daily in the summer and 5 of those playing with people who can actually hit, I will be alright” I responded

“How long do you think it will take you to finish Coach D?” another asked

“4 hours” I responded confidently

As I am handling this mini press conference with my eager audience, I notice one of the kids who is in the gifted program at his school, the equivalent of what in tennis we call high-performance tennis, scribbling away in the notebook I make everyone bring a notebook to take notes and write a half paragraph report of the previous lesson.  He raises his head as soon as he is done;

 “Coach D this means you will have to ......CONTINUE READING