Overcoming Setbacks on My Pickleball Journey – Day 18

The Ups and Downs of My Pickleball Journey: Day 18

Should Have Listened to My Body

On day 18 of my pickleball journey, I learned a tough but valuable lesson: listen to my body. I arrived at Pontiff today, determined to improve my skills and shake off the disappointment of yesterday’s events. I should have taken a day or two off to rest, but my competitive spirit drove me to keep going.

A Rocky Start

I barely took the time to stretch, diving straight into a match with Pat against AJ and Gavin. Fueled by my determination to play well, I started strong. AJ and I exchanged powerful volleys, and my backhand was on point. But then I made a crucial mistake – I got greedy and stole a ball from Pat, which sent my game downhill. We lost the match, 3 to 11.

Borrowing a Paddle and Trying Again

Disheartened, I took a break and lent my paddle to Dev, curious to see how he would perform with better equipment. He played well but needed to adjust to the new paddle’s responsiveness.

A New Partner, a New Challenge

Feeling somewhat refreshed, I joined a new game with a partner I’d never played with before, using Tuna’s backup paddle. Our opponents were Billy and Tuna, and the match was close. I focused on applying the drills and fundamentals that AJ had been teaching me.

A Painful Injury and a Forced Break

When the score was 5 to 4, Billy served to me. I concentrated on my footwork and prepared to return his serve with a powerful forehand topspin. As I stepped back with my right foot, I felt a pop in my Achilles, as if someone had dropped a weight on the back of my foot. I managed to hit the return, but I couldn’t advance to the net. My foot wouldn’t cooperate, and all I could do was watch the ball hit the court.

The Road to Recovery

I hobbled off the court, realizing that I would be out of commission for a while. The experience taught me the importance of listening to my body and knowing when to take a break. As I recover from my Achilles injury, I’ll be reminded of the lessons I’ve learned along the way, and I’ll come back stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever.

Join me tomorrow as I continue to share my pickleball journey, and see how I’ll adapt to the challenges and setbacks that come my way. Remember, it’s not just about winning, but about learning and growing from our experiences.