On Tennis + A Trip To Lululemon

I’ve had some of you email asking about tennis, since I’ve mentioned in recent posts that I’ve been playing more often lately.  This isn’t a new sport for me.  I don’t take clinics or have a coach.  Actually, one of my teams has started to try and get a clinic set up right before our matches on Thursdays, and I would love that!  But no, I’ve just played off and on since I was little, and the more often I play, the easier my old strokes come back to me.  The same thing goes for piano.  I hadn’t played in a really long time, but when we got a piano earlier this year, I was definitely rusty, but the more I practiced, it came back too.  The girls started piano lessons this year, and I know they’ll be better than me in no time.

But back to tennis, my family has always played tennis.  My parents still do.  When we would go on beach trips growing up, we would take morning lessons.  We loved it!  If there was an exhibition or a fun round robin, we would play in it.  Like softball, tennis has been a big part of my life.  I always tell people that I played in high school, and our team went to the state finals.  But that was when I’d just made the team.  Ha.  The older girls were way better.  So yes, we went to states, but I didn’t play in matches that counted then.  But it was fun to travel with them and play some of the lower seeds.

In college, I didn’t play tennis as much.  I could have, but loved playing all the intramural sports with my sorority, so I didn’t want to single out just one sport then.  But we were residence hall/sorority intramurals champs one year, so that was fun too!  We got a trophy and the ugliest black t-shirt.  I remember hating that of all colors, they chose black.  After college, I moved back to Charlotte from Chapel Hill and played a lot with my parents and sisters.  It was summer and we had the best time!  When I started teaching, I just couldn’t find the time to play, and then obviously when I started having children, I’d completely stopped.  I did miss it though and always told myself I’d play again, the first chance I got.

So after Effie was born, my friend asked me to play on her Wednesday night team.  I started with doubles, but quickly switched to singles because I loved singles and knew it was a better work-out.  That season I lost only one match and swear I played the best I’d play in a long time.  I owe it to my pregnancy.  Logan gave me good luck!  So fortunately because I was pregnant, but unfortunately because I had to stop playing, I found out I was pregnant mid-season.  My doctor said it was fine to keep playing, so I finished out the season, but never played on that Wednesday night team after that.   I obviously had  two young girls, soon had Logan and then got pregnant with Vaughn when Logan was just four months old.  Clearly, I had no time for tennis then.

So that was five years ago.  Last fall my friend asked me to join her tennis team.  I told her no, because I still had Vaughn home with me on the day they had their matches.  Fast forward  to January, she asked again.  I knew this was my chance to get on a team, so I figured out a way for me to play.  I only played one morning each week, and that was it.  And boy, was I rusty.  I hated that I no longer had my trusty go-to strokes and my serve.  My toss on my serve was all over the place, and it just didn’t feel natural, like it used to.  But I guess it’s just like riding a bike.  The more you practice, the easier it comes back to you.  This year I’m on two teams, and feel way more confident that I did in the spring.  On Tuesdays I play doubles on my team, and on Thursdays I play singles on my team.  And y’all, I’m in heaven!  And now my girls have started practices too, and they love it.  I can’t wait for the day when they can officially play me in a match…and <maybe> beat me one day.  I still relish the days when I play my dad and beat him!

Does Lanier play?  Like me, he grew up playing when he was younger, but he was a competitive swimmer, so that ultimately took up all of his time.  He still plays, and wins sometimes too.  Actually, on our first date we played tennis before heading out to a movie and dinner, and I think he beat me. Just kidding. If he’s smart, he’ll say I won.

So when did I pick up running and why?  Keep in mind, when I say running, I mean like usually three miles max.  I’m not a hardcore runner where I run marathons or anything (I’ll leave that to a few of my other sisters), but definitely owe my weight loss after my babies to eating right and running consistently.  What I wouldn’t give to have that consistency again.  One summer (pre-kids), my sister was trying to get on the tennis team.  My mom asked me if I’d coach her and help her practice.  I did and she got on the team. Not sure if I helped that much, but it earned me a new pair of tennis shoes.  A gift my mom gave me after helping my sister practice.

So what did I do?  My sister and I celebrated and went on the court and I played with my new shoes, jumped up for an overhead and came down wrong on my ankle and sprained it. Of course I’m so stubborn and played on it for another thirty minutes hoping it really wasn’t that bad.  Well, it was.  And I had to put off tennis until my ankle felt better.  I remember begging the orthopedist for crutches because that’s when I was teaching, but he said no.  So for the next weeks, I had to hobble around school and was in so much pain.  Spraining your ankle is no joke.  The one thing the doc recommended before getting back to tennis was to run.  He said the straight forward motion, over running around the court was better and safer at first.  So I tried it, and fell in love.  I’ve never been a runner, but when I started, I wanted to run all the time.  So from that time until this January, that was my main form of exercise.  I’d still like to get back to running more, but I’m happy with tennis right now, and I’ll keep it that way for the time being.  If you’re considering picking up a sport, I’d highly recommend tennis!

What tennis shoes do I wear?

I recently purchased these a few months ago and have really enjoyed playing with them.  You’ll notice mine in the photo at the beginning of this post are bright yellow.  I’ve tried looking everything, but to no avail, my color must be sold out.  But I do love this bright pink pair too!  They’re actually on sale and I’m tempted to order this pair as a backup pair.  They’re the same style, just a different color.

What running shoes do I wear?

I’ve always been a Nike Free fan.  This year I’m wearing the newest style and continue to love them year after year.  I swear each year they get lighter and lighter.  Mine are currently 25% off!  For fit, go down a half-size.

As for what I wear on the court.  I used to wear tennis skirts, but now I tend to wear shorts.  They’re easier to wear on the court, and I’m just more comfortable in them.  These speed shorts are my absolute favorite.  I love them for running too.  They’re soft, not too tight and they don’t ride up when I run.  Make sure you get the 4-way stretch.  The other option available is the 2-way, but it’s not stretchy enough for me, in my opinion.

As for tops, I almost always wear this tank in whatever color I’m in the mood for that day.

If I’m not wearing this top, I’m wearing the short sleeve version in the same style.  Seriously love this fabric when I work-out.

So after three wins in three weeks, I thought I’d treat myself and shop at the Lululemon store on King Street yesterday.  I felt like it’s been forever since I’ve gone shopping in a store.  I didn’t have much time, since I had to get the boys from school, but I honestly could’ve shopped on King Street all day!  Love it there!  I picked up this Define Jacket.  For fit, it really depends on how fitted you want it.  You know me, I never wear anything too tight, so I went up a size.  FYI, Lululemon does run small, in my opinion, so I’d recommend sizing up at least one size in everything.

I was trying to decide between the Define and this Half-Zip because I love the cozy Rulu fabric, but ultimately couldn’t choose because I loved the colors so much.  So I got both.  For this one, it’s the same as the Define.  You can size up one size, and it’ll still be a little fitted, but I actually went up two sizes because I tend to like the looser fit of my pieces that have Rulu fabric.

Some of you asked about this jacket from yesterday’s Instastory.  I’ve been wearing this jacket for the past few weeks.  I got it at the Lulu Pop-Up Shop they had in Mount Pleasant a few weeks ago.  I’ve always loved this print and have a pair of pants with the print, but was excited to see they made it in the jacket style this season.

I’m off to take the boys in for their annual check-ups.  I swear the kids’ appointments always come in waves.  I just looked and they have their dentist appointments on Monday morning.  Praying for no cavities!!

Hope y’all have a fabulous weekend!  Looks like another weekend with beautiful weather.  Lanier gets home tonight and we can’t wait until he gets here!