the climb
Editorial By Susan O'Connor, Illustration by Brittney Guest

I’ve always loved setting a goal, then doing whatever it takes to reach it. Like the lyrics in Miley Cyrus’s song “The Climb,” a challenge gets my heart pumping and adrenaline racing through my veins.

At the dawn of this year, I set several goals — probably too many to accomplish in the span of time I allotted myself when the duties of everyday life are factored in. But, a new year brings out the eternal optimist in me, complete with blue skies and endless possibilities.

One goal was to get in the best physical shape possible in order to be more competitive at tennis, a game I’ve loved since childhood. My parents played mixed doubles with friends just for fun when I was growing up, and they’d take me with them instead of hiring a babysitter. I began hitting against a wall and playing with my parents, then started lessons at about age 12 with Roger Harmon at Jonesboro Country Club. As a teenager, I spent summers at various tennis camps, loving every minute of it. Then, life got in the way and I didn’t play for a number of years.

About three years ago, I started playing again. Tennis is pretty much like riding a bike. You never forget how to ride, but if it has been a while, you feel a little wobbly. My tennis game was a little wobbly at first, but the basics came back quickly. My coach, Alex Rivas at Three Oaks Racquet Club, has helped me tremendously, fine-tuning and tweaking my game as much as is possible with a 40-ish woman. He has pushed me, but in a good way.

On my own, I began running, mixed with some Pilates, and a whole lot of tennis. Being my age and playing against 20-somethings teaches some vital, if not depressing lessons. For example, the old adage, “You’re only as young as you feel” — that’s a lie. Most of the time, I feel about 25. But after a tight singles match in 90-degree heat with a 19-year-old, I am near death and she is not. I may walk away with the victory, but I will pay physically. Currently, I am battling tendonitis in my right arm, simply from extreme overuse.

However, there is one advantage that I have that the young girls don’t: mental toughness earned from facing life head on. If I’m playing someone with similar ability — or someone with a better game — I can sometimes win out of sheer will. I look for weaknesses, keep my head in the game, and simply want the win more.

This year, my team at Three Oaks Racquet Club had a lofty goal: to win the state league championship. The entire team was serious about it, and each person put in many hours of practice. We won! It was great. In July, we competed at the Southern Sectionals in Birmingham, Ala. We beat a tough Tennessee team, as well as the next round, against Louisiana’s state winner. But then we fell to Alabama and South Carolina. Maybe next year…

In the mean time, I need to work on my other goals, one of which is to teach myself Spanish. Adios por ahora!