This is the first time in years that I stopped playing badminton for more than a month. I think I’m going on 2 months right now. I am expecting that when I go back, I’m going to have to deal with the pain – muscle pain,  joint pain that will make you want to take glucosamine chondroitin msm, whole-body pain – that goes with physical exertion after a period of inactivity. I’m not sure there’s enough warming up that I can do to avoid it, but I’ll take it on. Just as soon as I find the time to play again constantly, that is.

I have two upcoming badminton tournaments this month. Here’s hoping I’ll be healthy enough to give them my best effort. I feel like I’m being a bit of a hypochondriac lately, although with good reason. With all the stress from work and other life stuff, plus the time and energy I have to spend practicing for these events, the last thing I need is to be sick, or to feel sick. There’s too much to do in so little time.

The first tournament would be a company event, so that’s more of a fun game than the other. The next one would probably be a bit more serious considering that the participants will be regular club players. Anyway, we’re joining the latter for experience mostly; but that’s what we always say, maybe to take pressure out of the equation. I still need to learn more shots and improve my power and speed before I get satisfied with my badminton skills. Not that I’m trying to be an real athlete. I’ll stop when I find no more room for improvement, anyway.

The PLDT group of companies will be having its first MVP Cup, a mini-Olympics sports event that will feature several competitions such as chess, tennis, badminton, volleyball, basketball, and even dancing-singing-talent competitions. The event will be held at the Meralco theater on March 26 to 28.

We’ve been practicing for badminton and I can say that I’m going to miss the practice sessions. It took me out of work for several days but it was a welcome change, at least personally. If only it will go on for a long time, this is definitely the best quick weight loss solution. My friends are trying this new slimming coffee they discovered, but I think physical activity is still best.

After weeks, nay a couple of months, of not playing badminton, I returned to the courts last Saturday to join my friends on our usual Saturday play time. It seems everybody had been busy with their jobs that I realized I wasn’t the only one who had been absent in the games for a long time.

Well, I’ve been busy watching tennis, as this blog shows. Work also came in the middle. But now, I really need to go and get my game back. Especially because we’re playing on a tournament tonight! This is hoping I can still run and hit the shuttle, what with my heavy feet and heavier frame these days.

I haven’t talked about badminton for quite some time now because I’ve been relatively lazy to play since the start of this year. These past few weeks, though, I was able to join several queuing sessions (where you’ll show up at the court and have your name listed so you can play with random partners and random opponents). I’m starting to get addicted to the game again, and I do hope it will go on for some time. What better way to stay fit sans Slimquick Cleanse.

As if I haven’t said it enough, the thing I appreciate most about badminton is that I regularly see, and play with, people of all ages (10 up to 60 up). Last Wednesday, I was so amused, and a bit embarassed, with this particular matchup that sort of revealed how out of shape I am. I was partnered with a  lady who is about 50 years old; on the other  side of the net is a girl who is barely 15, partnered with another lady who is pushing 65. By the end of the game, I noticed that I was the one who is soaked in sweat and is having ragged breaths. All three looked mighty fine and ready to play the next set. More embarassing because I am an intermediate player, at the prime of life, who’s been playing for years. But I was very happy to see the older ones having the kind of stamina they have. My partner told me that she started training for badminton when her doctor recommended physical activity to counter body aches and hypertension.  I say she did very well.