Fresh Fiction Blog | Jade Lee | GUESS WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW???

Come on, give it a go. Guess. I'll give you a hint – it's physical, I love it, and it's going to be on the internet. Okay, maybe video of me in particular won't be on the internet, although my last tournament was. But someone will be featured on racquetball internet. Lots of someones!

Did I give it away? I'm going to be playing in the US Open – Racquetball. I have loved racquetball since I was a kid. So much so that back in the dark ages, I went pro...for two weeks. Then my knees gave up, I was sidelined, and ended up teaching yoga for two years because that was all my poor body could handle. But I ended up back on the court eventually. Never playing at the level as I was before, but what the heck, I still love the game. Here's a picture of me playing recently (not my sleek 20-year-old body).

And then someone said something revelatory to me. Ready? He said: You're not getting any younger. Well, DUH. But he was talking about the tournament circuit. I wasn't going to go back into competition until–according to me–I lost the 45 lbs I'd gained while sidelined, and I started training again. But guess what? In the middle of that time of non-playing, I started writing books. And now I have a whole writing career that I didn't have then. So I'm never going to train like I did before, never going to lose that weight again, and never ever going to play like I used to when I was in my 20s.

So...does that mean I should stop competing in the sport I love? No!!! You know why? Because they have old lady divisions! Yup! When this blog goes live, I'll be at the US Open competing in the Women's 50+ division. Who knows how I'll do. I feel fat and slow on the court, but I still love it, so that's what I'm going to do.

And btw, any of you want to know the secret experience of a racquetball athlete who suddenly gives up a sport? Check out my novella: ONE NIGHT IN THE SPA by Kathy Lyons (my contemporary penname). No, I didn't meet my husband during a facial, but I did experience a lot of that sudden hormonal surge when an athlete has to suddenly stop working out. To put it bluntly, I was horny! But I digress...

Look in the comments below for information on how I'm doing. I'll try to leave updates as it goes on. You won't find me in the listings because I'll be playing under my real name though here's the tournament link. In the meantime, leave a word of encouragement or just a yeah-rah for racquetball! And one lucky commentor will win

racquetball-600

Comments

Sorry for any confusion over the weekend. The comments were not working. If you have words of encouragement for Kathy, please repost them.
(Sara Reyes 11:22am October 7, 2013)

It has been years since I played racquetball... looks like fun!
(Colleen Conklin 1:10pm October 7, 2013)

Hope you have a great time. Looks like a very physical sport. Good luck
(Jai Clark 2:27pm October 7, 2013)

I had a great time. Sadly, my knees went out on the second to
last match. I had to withdraw. I'm just not physically able to
play at the level anymore. Spent a night crying, then got up
and started a new book. Door closed. Another opened. All in
all...it's okay.
(Jade Lee 5:03pm October 7, 2013)

Ah Jade, sorry about your knees but we arn't getting any younger alas...I can't even
handle yoga full bore. I'm starting out with old ladies chair yoga and hurting...I'll
get there with time and exercise =). My DH loved racketball and played a lot in our
youth. His knees got the better of him too. We also had to quite square dancing =( I
miss that but we danced "plus" with lots of flourishes and had a blast! We even messed
with the callers and got them to mess up on their calls. It was so much fun. Now we read
and forget to go to bed at night. Ah the joys of getting older ;-)
(Lenna Hendershott 7:51pm October 7, 2013)

Kudos for entering the tournament - you gave it your all!
(Mary C 8:04pm October 7, 2013)

What a great opportunity. I am sorry your knees didn't cooperate with you but just think, you got to do something you always loved and now you have moved on to the next project. Go Girl!!!!!
(Melanie Backus 9:04pm October 7, 2013)

Sorry about your knee and the tournament. As the saying goes, when one door closes, another will open. Things are getting brighter for you. Take care.
(Kai Wong 10:22pm October 7, 2013)

Despite your knees I hope you had a great time.
(Mary Preston 11:48pm October 7, 2013)

It must feel great to return to something you love. I hope you do well and
have lots of fun! One Night in the Spa sounds wonderful, and the cover is
beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win!!!
(Linda Brennan 11:58pm October 7, 2013)

Wow, Congrats on your new book: ONE NIGHT IN THE SPA. I like
the hot book cover too! You can still have fun with
racquetball and remember you are as young as you feel. I
would love to win and read your book this Fall. Thank You
very much. Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 12:41pm October 8, 2013)

I admire your enthusiasm for doing what you love, truly. It is a great motivation for a people like me , my kids even sometimes tell me, "mom, live a life"..I will keep reading your post. Thank You.
(Hetal Gandhi 9:03am October 8, 2013)

wow that does look like fun and very physical lots of
exercise take care
(Denise Smith 9:24am October 8, 2013)

The one thing to be proud of, besides being an accomplished Author, is the fact that you did something that so many women only wished they were able to do!! I've always wanted to try racquetball, but was unable to do so, due to nerve and tendon damage in my hand and wrist. You took it one step further, and made it to the US open, of all things!! Not many Women can say they've been there, and you were a beacon to all of your fans!! We know you did your best, and we're all proud of you!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:43am October 8, 2013)

Congrats and good for you! My hubby played a lot of racquetball in his 20's. He was in a league and I used to just watch. I played a few times but it was never my thing. I enjoyed softball better. Good luck in your competition!
(Sue Galuska 10:58am October 8, 2013)

I wish you much luck and health! I only manage to hit myself with the darn racquet!
(Sally Hannoush 4:59pm October 8, 2013)

Never play it before, i prefer play tennis or basketball
(Rina Darmayanti 5:38pm October 8, 2013)

Good for you! Play your best, have a lot of fun & don't hurt
anything - especially those fingers you need for typing your
books!
(Diane Sallans 9:12pm October 8, 2013)

Never played. But I'm totally helpless at things like that. I used to be ok at
volleyball (til knees & asthma set in) but it has a nice BIG target. :)
Look forward to you taking your frustrations out on the page even more.
(Penny Mettert 12:08pm October 9, 2013)

Am resting now and thanks to ibuprophen, am no longer in pain.
Except when I step wrong, so I'm sitting on a couch and
internet surfing. Life is...yup...it's good!
(Jade Lee 11:40am October 9, 2013)

good for you.if you love something keep doing it regardless if
your older or not in as good a shape as you use to be.just
have fun
(Angela Smith 5:25pm October 9, 2013)

Sorry I have not read any of your books.Just have fun.
(Judy Ferguson 1:34pm October 10, 2013)

Do they call the older competitors part of the Master's
division like in swimming. Good luck in this fast-paced sport
that gives you a real workout. I last played racquetball in
college with younger knees.
(Alyson Widen 5:59pm October 31, 2013)

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