Training with Australians...

Today joined OBT's training... the one with the Australians one.

Wow. The agilities... No, I'm not aching, not at all. But at that time, it was my cardiovascular system that was put to the test. I really, for the first time, had to bend over to try and get in as much oxygen as possible before the next exercise.

What did we do? The usual agilities, the length of 4 courts. But get this, 3 X 3. What does that means? It means we had to continue the agilities back and forth 1, 2, 3 times continuously without stopping, the length of 4 courts! And THREE sets! Of EACH exercise.

Wow. And the people I was training with were all people of considerably high-standards... so I ended up being one of the slowest, had to do my best to get on par with them. But in between each set all of us had the same posture, bent over, trying to get in enough oxygen.

OBT's training can be pretty heartless at times.

Seriously, never in my entire life, not even under Coach Raja's training. It may have been tiring before, but we had breaks. Not this one. I couldn't even talk, and I actually lean on the wall, hand on forehead. It was as if, I could hardly think, couldn't complain, couldn't grumble. Nothing! Just as if... yeah, like I was dying.

At that point of time I remember telling myself, "Hey, even a sprained ankle is better than this torture..." But I survived it. =D He told us to take a 5 minute break... all of us went outside to get the fresh air, just sat, some even in the sun, not caring. Didn't talk for a while. After a while all started talking again.. and dreading the next set... earlier on he told us 2 sets of that! We were like, "Oh no, another set of that..."

But he must have seen us all... he cancelled that set. He gave an extra set in shadow though, but I don't mind that, not as bad as agilities.

Anyway, I think the 2 Australian guys were Chinese, the 2 girls were 'mat sallehs'. 1 of the girls(18 years old) plays for Australia.. the other(14 years old) is a state player, around my level. The guys I don't know, but they are good I guess. But they did tell us something surprising though.. In Australia, they never do agilities! Just some jogging, skipping, and get on the court. We sighed, saying, "Must be like heaven." Lol! They agreed.

And well.. they don't understand my English. Sometimes. Lol. Hey, not my fault okay.. I can't speak like an Australian!

Well anyway, was a good work out today, after that did some shuttle drills, played some games till about 10.45am. Then showered in OBT's house, walked to a nearby coffee shop and ate. Then walked back to OBT's house, basically camped there till 3.30pm. Then 4pm was the next session. This time no agilities(Thank God!). We were joking, "If there's agilities I'm walking out right now!" Hahaha. Just concentrated more on skill.

So.. well, I think I can safely conclude I just went through the toughest training in my life.. for my cardio. My legs not aching at all, good thing. But my cardio system was never so severely tested before. I even thought, "Hey, I just went through hell and came back alive!" Lol.

Have to repeat... I was actually bent over, trying to breathe, and breathe, and breathe! Normally when I'm tired(what I used to consider 'tired' anyhow), I just walk around a bit. Not today. Uh uh.

But my stamina's really gone. Haiz. I believe I used to have better stamina.

Well, anyway, I'm only going for that training again this Friday.. don't want to go tomorrow, got squash in the evening. At this rate squash seems... delightful. Hahaha! Like I said before, I'm enjoying being a beginner. =P

Honestly? I'm questioning myself why I'm choosing to go back to that training this Friday again... sometimes people are quite stupid, aren't they? Lol! Well, may as well improve my stamina & strength this holidays.. even if it kills me.


God bless
Joanne Lim
Webmaster@joannetmj.tk