Training Daze in Hawaii – Shubert Blog
Training Daze in Hawaii - Shubert Blog What’s up ya’ll? The weather has been amazing the past few days in Honolulu and the nice humid heat with low wind has made these days of training much easier and rewarding. I’ve gone to the Punahou gym everyday this week and put in work doing plenty of Bosu-ball squats, pull ups and chin ups, jump roping, wrist routines, shoulder band exercises, calf raises, and core/back exercises. I see a significant difference already getting back in the gym and strengthening my body. I feel firmer through contact, more explosive, stronger in general, and healthier. I feel I have presence.
I coupled these strengthening exercises with practices at University of Hawaii, playing sets each day and building up more stability in my shoulder. It’s been going well but here’s where I’m experiencing difficulty: focusing on hand speed and keeping a firm rest at contact. My forehand consistency has also gone down because I’ve been working on my backhand so much and because I’ve been experimenting with a more flat forehand as opposed to my routinely top-spin-e one. Needless to say, I’ve had some good connections but find myself flying balls or missing wide on my cross courts and inside-outs.
My serve motion has been altered just a tad to lower the impact on the shoulder joint in general. I will work non-stop until I have a fully functional serve that doesn’t leave me feeling pain. So far, I’ve been managing to hit my spots from time to time and maintaining a good consistent change-up of all my serves. Extending up and into my serve is key; in the past, my toss wouldn’t be far enough in front of me and I’d let the ball drop too.
Friday I volunteered at the famous Punahou Carnival (Fundraiser) event where rides, games, food, and normal “fair” activities go on. I made teriyaki burgers for about 3 hours straight. Flipping burgers is tough work! But at least I was able to experience a part of it and be a part of it as well. I was hoping through this experience that I’d meet up with former classmates of mine as well as former teachers. No such luck however 
Saturday I was at a dinner in Chinatown with my mom celebrating the Lunar New Year in traditional Chinese style. It was thrown by the society of Chinese from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Some of the dignitaries I met and shook hands with were former governor Linda Lingle, current mayor Peter Carlisle, numerous Chinese Society presidents, and again, the Narcissus Queen and her court of princesses. The cousine was amazing and some of the entertainment was really good – I will never get tired of hearing the lion and dragon dance drums and symbols. The rhythm really takes you a mood of competition, up-beat energy, and excitement. I’d say every single point of tennis can be described this way which is probably why I have positive associations with it!
I will kick my feet up and enjoy my 1 day off a week watching the super bowl with friends and having fun at the pool party. (I promise no chicken-fighting! No strange shoulder pains/aches!!!)
Shubert
Topics: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Thomas Shubert
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