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Tennis

May 17^th

It is so good to be back playing tennis.  I have put on half a stone since this time last year.  One week of tennis and 2 lbs have come off easily.  The Bible says that physical exercise is of some use and I know this to be true.  I love tennis because it is good calorie burning and helps with muscle toning.  It is less demanding than the contact sports that I played so much in my earlier days.  I did have a game of football six weeks ago and during the game I was very pleased with my endeavours; pacing myself, showing the flare that once characterised my game, with a good turn of pace and an eye for goal, I even scored one which might have made goal of the month had it been televised.  I came off the field with some appreciative words from some considerably younger team mates and respectful glances from the crowds on the touchline (all five of them!)  A warm glow of satisfaction radiated throughout my being.  They say pride becomes a fall!  The next morning, I have never felt so stiff and locked up in my life!  For the next two days I hobbled about sounding like a creaking gate.  A timely reminder that enthusiasm needs to be tempered by wisdom and the memories of former glories on the football pitch cannot guarantee anything but a health risk and lengthy recovery periods when playing football in your fifties.  Tennis is considerably more gentle on the body and with the good friends I have at the club it is a very enjoyable way to pass a couple of hours getting fit and I actually think that I am playing as good at tennis now as I have ever played.