As someone
who was in high school when Title IX was still just a gleam in Congress’ eye,
athleticism hasn’t come naturally to me.
I grew up without a big brother to follow around, and instead had parents and an older sister whose idea of a lively afternoon was to sit down with a cigarette, a highball, and a good book.
I grew up without a big brother to follow around, and instead had parents and an older sister whose idea of a lively afternoon was to sit down with a cigarette, a highball, and a good book.
I finally
learned how to ride a bike at age 30, first water skied at age 42, and took up
tennis (poor to moderate) at 45. So this whole concept of pick-up games comes
as naturally to me as stilt walking.
Unless you
have a dedicated group of people to play with, pickleball here is played at
community centers by individuals who just show up and put their name on the
board. Even though everyone and anyone can play, as a raw beginner I always
feel like the person most likely to be left on the sidelines when the other
kids pick their dodgeball teams. I also worry about being dead weight as I plant
myself on my half of the court with three other total strangers.
I’m off now
to face the gauntlet again this afternoon. I’m surprised at how much I enjoy
playing, so I’m willing to go through these ‘first day of school’ butterflies.
I know just how you feel. I've never been an athlete and did not play team sports. I'm always concerned about making a bit of a fool of myself. Good for you doing all of those things later in your life!! -Jenn
ReplyDeletePickleball? Colour me clueless.
ReplyDeleteI often was the last picked for any sport which required hand/eye coordination. I am glad to hear that you are having fun.
I was semi-athletic, but had I been given a chance when young like all the young boys were, who knows. We wasted a ton of young female athletes in that generation.
ReplyDeleteI've never played, but they have a court at our Y. Maybe I should try it, you make it sound like it would be fun even if a newbie. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat on earth is pickleball? I've never heard of it.
ReplyDeleteThey say that it's good to learn a new skill and an active one at that = twice the benefit.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm with your sister on this one. And I don't even need the cigarette!
ReplyDeleteme too, what is pickleball? and I didn't care for team sports being on of the last kids to get picked for any team. I loved archery though, just about the only non-team sport we learned during high school PE.
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of like tennis with a smaller court and played with a racket that's hard like a ping pong paddle.
DeleteSupposedly its for the older set, but you still have to gallop around a bit.
I think I'd rather learn how to play bridge.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that either you love it or hate it! Have fun!
ReplyDelete