DChmielewski

Since I last posted here, I have had I think 2 tournaments. First one was State Doubles in which my dad and I won A cons and the second tourny was the Candy Cane Classic which was actually this last weekend. It was a really good tournament for me and I'm glad of the outcome. I ended up playing Open Doubles with an ex-pro player named Jim W. and then singles. My first match was doubles and we got matched up againist 2 very good open players. I played hard but was not focused because of my previous match, losing in tiebreaker in singles. The doubles match was fairy good, but I was playing like crap and my mind was just not in the right place. We ended up losing in 2 games and I went home disapointed with the outcome for that day. I didnt play until 8pm. on Saturday so I had the whole day to rest up physically and mentally for the Open Double Con Finals. I came to the club determined to win. I was so focused that I felt no emotion when I missed a shot, I felt no pain, and I felt like a king on the court. Jim, my doubles partner, told me the day before that we play for one point. We always pretend its 0-0 and we play for 1 point. This really helped out because the score was not in my mind. The only thing in my mind was my next shot or movement. We ended up losing the first game 15-13 but I knew that we were not going to go down without a fight. I knew the first game was over and there was nothing to do about it but win the next game. We ended up winning 15-12 in the second game. Tie-breaker was brutal and all I can remember is my opponents serving with 9-10. I got screened and didnt see the ball but the ref thought it was a good shot. I held my racket up and refocused. Usually when its 10-10 I play defensively but because I thought to myself, one point, I played like it was 0-0 killing the ball and the rally ending with a lucky dink from my opponents. We lost the match 11-10, I was angry but felt accomplished. After the match, I had at least 15 people come up to me and congradulate me on how well I played. My doubles partner said that the game was a Victory in the sense that I learned how to use your mind and to focus to play good racquetball. I had people coming up to me saying that it was the best I ever played, and I guess the whole top was filled with people looking over peoples shoulders just to see my match. I felt so proud. Even though we lost in points, I felt as if we won. My game took a huge leap forward that day and I'm glad that I played with this ex-pro because he taught me somethings that I could never learn in a lesson. Focusing is a big part of racquetball, actually, its a big part with any sport and I learned that day of how key it is.

well I'm back posting. I have the Sun Prarie Summer Open in 10 days. I haven't been playing much, 1 to 2 times a week, but that has been working out very good. Whenever I do play though, I am a force to be reconed with. I am playing A doubles with my Dad, and A singles. I'm hoping that I will be very well. Can't wait to get my new metallix stuff. I'm suppost to be getting it anyday now. Once I get it, I'll be on the courts everyday, all day. Gotta get used to the new racquet. Well I'll post later

Nationals was sooo fun! It was great seeing all the top kids play. Personally, I was embarressed when I played. I played terrible, and lost to some people that I shouldnt have lost to. My first match I was diving and my back started to hurt. Thought it was nothing, but the next day I couldnt do a backhand. I found out yesterday while with a physical therapist that I sprained my back and I'm not suppost to play racquetball for 2-3 weeks. I got called yesterday to play racquetball, and I got asked to play Wed. and Thurs. I really want to but I don't want to blow out my back even more. While I was in Michigan I met a bunch of new people though. I became great friends with Team Jr. California, and they call me everyday (I'm not sure why). And I also met the nicest girl in the world, Katie, who was helping out her Aunt, Heather Fender, for the tournament. Even though I didnt do very well this year, I'm still gonna train for next year. I'm gonna take a couple weeks off because of my back, and then I will train for Next years Nationals in Arizona. I found a doubles partner, and maybe even a mixed doubles partner. Next year should be soo much fun!!

Last night, after I did that post, I had a lot of energy and so I went for a run. Ran to Burleigh Elementary, did sprints down the 6 tennis courts they have, and did hill runs. Today, I went to the Club again, and played racquetball, did 45 reps of the bench press, tricep pulldown, stair climber, situps, and pushups. My arm is a little sore, but, I don't really care, because Mental Toughness and adrenaline should take care of it. I have been playing some great racquetball over the past days, practice does help! Tonight, I'm still gonna go for a walk and do some hills, nothing that tough though. Now I just need to get packed for the tournament. :) The last step

Today I went to the Athletic club... like everyday. I did weights for a while, but because I was working out with a friend, the workout was not very effective. I played a little bit of racquetball, but nothing serious. On Sunday I am probably going to take the day off because of fathers day. But on Mon., the day before I leave, I am going to play a bunch with my dad, drill, do weights, and run. I probably won't post for a week, since I will be gone in Lansing, Michigan. I really want to play, and I am ready for Jr. Nationals!

Well I'm back from Beaver dam, WI, where my grandparents live. It was kinda cool because there is a YMCA a mile away from their house. I was at their house for 3 days, and I went there 2 times. I ate sooo much food at my grandmas house that I think I gained 10 pounds. She is such a good Cook! lol. Theres my carbs for the next month. So I ran to the YMCA, played racquetball on the out of date old dusty courts. Biked 6.5 miles, did weights, and repeated the next day. And after weights and biking, I would play racquetball for another half and hour and then run back to my grandmas house. I was playing really well, especially after the weights and biking. For some reason, after the first day, my knee cap hurt whenever I bent it. But once I got home to her house, I just sat there for 6 more hours and then went to bed very early. That helped my knee heal, but I have no clue why that happened. Answering Jackie's question, no I was not in Pueblo. I am really good friends with Matt's dad, he is actually my string and grip provider, and I just happened to be at the clue when they were. Matt is really cool, and I got to meet his... fiance or wife, sorry, I didn't ask. His dad, John, told me about a year ago that they were going to get married, but I did not follow up about seeing if they did. I'll find out next week, since I'm getting my racquets regripped before Nationals. I'm feeling very good about Nationals, and I hope my nerves won't get to me. But as long as I think positive, I can get through any game. Thanks for all the support!!

Well today at the Athletic club was crazy! I was there from 11-4 working out. When I first arrived I got to play with a Colorado Pueblo racquetball player called Matt Melster. He is very good, and I got smoked in 2 games. After that, I got to try out the new Wilson 06-07 racquet. Very good racquet, but I think I'll wait to try out the new Head Mettallix racquet. Once he left, I drilled for 2 hrs. Drive serves, down the lines, pinches, Z serves, etc. Then I biked 7.5 miles in 20min. The bike was practically at full level, and it was very hard to continue. Then I did weights, and then played more racquetball. After I did my weights and biked, I felt very aware and good on the court. I was hitting the ball very well, with a lot of power. I found out I got a partner for the junior nationals. His name is Trevor Synders. He's from Illinois. If anyone knows him, messege me about him, maybe I can get his SN. What a day of working out, and I still want to do more!! Tomarrow I am going to my Grandma's house till Sat. I am gonna go to their YMCA and try to get a court and work out.

Well today I'm gonna try to get a ride to the athletic club. Then I will play racquetball, do pushups, crunchs, and have an ab workout with a medicine ball. I will probably run then follow up with stretchs. I haven't played someone in racquetball for at least a week, but hopefully I will play just as good while playing myself, and just doing drills. Well I'm off to the Club!! :)

Well, its almost time for the Junior Nationals. I have been working hard just to be able to compete with the best. This is my first post so I will tell you a little about myself. My name is Dan Chmielewski, I live in Wisconsin. I play at the Wisconsin Atheltic club. I am 15 years old and I am an A player. My last tournament I played A/Open Doubles and my partner and I came out in 2nd place. I lost to my dad, who to this which day, I can't beat. I come close, but I never get the W on the chart. 15-14, 15-13; examples of the games with my dad. He is an open player, and mainly plays doubles. About my Training schedule, I run about 2 miles a day, used to lift heavy weights but not anymore after I sprained my arm from doing too much activity. I play around.... 5 times a week, but because of Exams, I havent even played once this week. Sprints, LIGHT WEIGHTS, and practice on the court makes a huge difference in your game.