Well...first time in a few years that I've been knocked off the top of the challenge ladder.

Not a good feeling.
Actually a *very* crappy feeling.

It'll be good for me in the long run I guess...motivation/spark...rededication...circle of life yada yada yada>>>insert favorite cliches here<<<<.

But it still sucks.

Q

Yes, but think of the joy you have brought to the others

Well...joy at least to the gent who has taken the #1 spot...not sure if there's joy among the rest of the ladder or not.

Summer usually brings chaos to it as people forfeit out to go to BBQs and such..lol.

Good to "see" you billG, btw.

Q

How did he cheat in order to beat you? Strategy for next time?

Well, thanks for the assumption that he needed to cheat to win Bill...lol...but it may just be the natural order of things asserting itself. I'd like to think its all about me becoming complacent and blase, but the truth of the matter is each game we have played over the last few months has led to this upheaval gradually but inexorably, or so it seems to me in hindsight.

The new King is 39-ish, and has been playing for 20+ years, originally from San Diego, so he has a good racquetball "pedigree". He has been playing more seriously the last few years...has his own court at his house...recently dropped 25+ pounds and was already very quick.

He's my worst nightmare as far as style. Very good retriever with deceptive wristy shots so I have trouble anticipating returns correctly. Lot of power...good stamina, excellent drive serve. Dives...hustles...seems to get stronger as the match progresses (that's new this year)and has improved his mental game most likely as a result of the physical improvements.

Typically the pattern is that we battle nearly even, I shoot my way into the lead around 10 or 11 by 3 or so, and then we stall and he continues to pour out energy and maintain pressure. We even up at 13 or 14 and it's just been horrific for me getting the nail into the coffin. Might be mental...feels physical, but at that point in the game its difficult to separate the 2.

Basically I'm losing 3 out of 4 now....and feeling old..lol.

Need to retrench and analyze.

Q

Maybe need to do the same, lose a few pounds, drill a bit more...or even take a break as you could be over analyzing it.

Qjakal

Need to retrench and analyze.

time to get that referral from Tonya Harding

Hey Q, welcome to the golden years!

Control Freak

Qjakal

Need to retrench and analyze.

time to get that referral from Tonya Harding

Well, I *did* tag him pretty good in the leg yesterday during a doubles match. But he also heals better than most.

Larry, I try not to let the 15+ year age differential color my thought process as it just leads to giving myself an excuse, and I'm already pretty easy on myself as far as forgiving my mistakes.

I need to change the dynamics of the last 1/3 of the game. I need to rework the way I'm scoring points (or lack thereof) during this time frame.

I need to put myself back into December/January shape, or accept being unable to maintain the pace in that 1/3 of the game Typically I slough off training during the summer months ...gain 8-10 pounds and ease up on the weightlifting and cardio routines to "rest" myself. Might not have that luxury anymore.

I need to recover mentally from all this self analysis...lol.

Hey...maybe it *is* just the circle of life stuff...but this old lion is going to keep his claws sharp and find a way back to the top of the pack if it can be done.

Q

Referring to his superior Command and Control: Red Alert game skills, a friend of mine once told me, "The mountaintop is a cold and lonely place." Apparently, he was the highest rated player in the world until no one wanted to play him and he lost interest. I busted up laughing when I heard that one but it actually had a very real life lesson in it. Everyone needs to head back to base camp every now and again to feel what it's like to be human again. In other words, we all need a taste of humble pie.

Look at it as an opportunity to demonstrate your resiliency and fortitude especially at your age. Your game may reach a new level as you push yourself to change and evolve once more. Hegemony isn't always the best, and sometimes parity can be equally beneficial for both of your games. If the changing of the guard becomes a permanent one, you'll have at least earned the respect of your competitor(s).

Ever since I started playing this game 8 years ago (I'm now 30) I've always been an admirerer of the old lions more than the new. Maybe because the struggle is so much more visceral as the game becomes more and more difficult to hang on to.

Did I read "has his own court at home"?!! Well there you go Q. Build one and the KING will return.

billgeo

Did I read "has his own court at home"?!! Well there you go Q. Build one and the KING will return.

Am awaiting my billgeo/Obama racquetball bailout funds check...

Yes, he has his own court. But that is like owning your own incredibly expensive golf clubs...you still need a swing and to put in the work, so I don't attribute too high a % of his increased ability to that circumstance.

Still...would be sweet to be able to just pick up and go drill for 20 minutes when you're in the mood.

Gotta work with what I have though.

>>>plays Rocky theme loudly in background<<<<<

Q

Interesting twist...new King was dethroned by the 4th ranked player, someone whom I can easily handle.

Just goes to show how the style vs. style part of this game is so interesting.

Q

okay, about his own COURT. is it concrete with what kind of walls or is it wood flooring, like at sports clubs..and does anyone know the cost of these courts. I always wanted one at my house..curious on price

Panel walls over concrete...pretty fast. Standard wood floor. I believe it was about 30K outside of the cost of blasting it down 20 feet(we have a lot of rock here). Personally I think I'd leave at least half of it above ground given a choice as it seems it would be much easier to ventilate that way. Obviously glassback would add as do side windows.

Q

Blasting down 20 ft? Is it underground? Do you repel into it?

I have a question for the group and the now old "king": What is the largest jump in rankings anyone over 40 has made? Further, what is the highest rank acheived by a player that started their 40's above 1200? Is it possible to get serious about racquetball and fight your way from playing state level A ball (~1200) to a ranking better that 300? Anyone have an inspirational tale?

From San Diego eh? Depending on how long ago he left, maybe I know him. What's his name?

He left nearly 20 years ago, j...he's actually a well known national gospel singer, so you'd more likely know (or remember) him for that.

http://www.charlesbillingsley.com/pages/page.asp?page_id=77094

Q

Making some progress...but the roughest part of all this is that he's actually getting incrementally better as we continue to play each other and plugging holes in his game as I uncover them.

Always nice to push each other, but I sadly think his upper limit is currently higher than my own.

Still...I continue to try to chip away at the edge he has on me physically by reworking my conditioning routines. Never say die. Perhaps he'll develop a pizza addiction or something.

Q