physically fit = mentally fit :)

So I just got a new job, working for the LTA, as Strength & Conditioning Manager for the top tennis players in Scotland! Totally out of the blue, but exactly the area I'd like to be more involved with so I'm really excited about it! I'll still be based in Scotland, but most likely in Stirling a couple of days a week, and travelling to other centres on a fairly frequent basis. I've taken it on part-time at the moment (3 days per week) so as far as Craiglockhart goes, I'll still be involved but more from a managerial point of view. I'll deal with the organisation and administration of the programme, but Ross & Alan will deliver most of the on-court work. I'll be there for squads at least one day a week, and will continue working with Emma & Euan individually. That's the theory anyway, we'll see how it goes!

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Vamos!

On Friday I was wondering if playing in the Scottish Grand Prix Masters was such a good idea, but by Sunday evening I was pretty sure :) It was on the clay at Craiglockhart, and the first match (vs Katie Gater) I felt like I was coaching instead of actually trying to win, but I managed to get through it in nearly 3 hours, 6/4 2/6 6/4 - not pretty tennis but Brad Gilbert might have been proud, it was Winning Ugly all the way.

45 minutes later I had to play the semi-final vs Frances Hendry on Centre Court - the tennis was a bit better but my body had had enough for the day - 2 hours later I somehow got through it 6/3 6/4 but was cramping pretty badly. I was very professional by cooling down properly (just so I could tell the kids I coach)- slow bike, jog, good stretch followed by cold shower at home.

Just as well I did because on Sunday I was in for a mammoth final vs Caitlin Steel. I was 5/2 up 1st set but lost it 7/6. Then I was 5/0 down 2nd set and saved 3 match points at 5/1, clawed my way back and won the set 7/5, then managed to take the 3rd 6/4. 3 hours 20 mins, and in serious pain by the end but very happy - I was pretty psyched because I hardly ever play matches anymore, but the competitive spirit never goes away. I just can't give in - it's not in my nature!

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summer full of tennis - just like the good old days!

County Week was a bit of a let-down as we got flooded out after day 1 in Cheltenham...we did win the 1st day vs Channel Islands 7-2, so if the results are based on that day alone we will go up to division 5 - wahey :) Had some good laughs with the rest of the team though, and hope to keep moving in the same direction over the next few years.

Straight back for 3 days in module 2 of the CCA (my next coaching qualification)... bit boring but only 2 more modules to go!

Next was a week in Bournemouth - Ross & I with 10 kids (fun?). I lived in a rented house with 5 girls, while Ross was down the road with 5 boys in a B&B. We cooked dinner at the house most nights (and pizza carry-out a couple!) - kids chilled out and watched DVDs. It's a tiring week - daily routine of getting up to practice at about 7am, coaching/watching matches, doing fitness with kids, looking after them all day, sometimes not back till 8 or later, cooking dinner, cleaning up (or making sure kids do it properly!)

Had a wee party at my flat to recover when I got back, turned out to be a really fun night out, so Sunday was a LONG day watching 12s Nationals Qualifying at CTC!!

Was meant to go back to Bournemouth Wed-Sat for 14s Qualifying but that got changed on Tuesday (great organisation by TS), so I enjoyed an unexpected extra few days off. Have been at the 14s Main Draw this week (in Bournemouth again) with Emma & Joanna. Has been good catching up with loads of people I used to play against who are now involved in coaching/fitness/sports science/admin etc!

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