Forwards and occasionally sidewards – everyday musings of life

I set off for Marlborough feeling quietly excited about the day ahead: I had a mindset coaching session booked with a young, up-and-coming table tennis star. I did, however, need to keep a strict eye on the clock. My schedule included that morning session, followed by a one-to-one with a new player back in Pewsey, and finally a proper practice hit with my mate Kevin. As I drove, I silently hoped I hadn’t been entirely too ambitious with my calendar.

The moment my young coachee started talking, his sheer dedication was obvious. He was already competing at a high level and possessed a rare, sharp awareness of his own strengths and weaknesses. Here was a player with serious potential, and I knew instantly that I needed to be right on top of my game.

As always when a session goes well, the time flew by. I scrambled back to Pewsey, grabbed a quick bite, and set up for the afternoon one-to-one with a chap looking to polish up his table tennis skills.

He arrived straight from his lunch break, dressed in trainers, smart trousers, and a crisp, long-sleeved work shirt. Given how stuffy and humid it was, I knew instantly he was going to boil.

Teaching him was a genuine pleasure. It was like starting with a completely blank canvas—a fresh start with a keen mind eager to absorb proper technique. He had fantastic hand-eye coordination and picked up the mechanics almost immediately.

As he walked out the door, I couldn’t help but notice that the entire back of his shirt was completely drenched. I’m fairly certain he’ll be opting for shorts and a t-shirt for our next session.

With the coaching wrapped up, it was finally time for my own practice session with Kevin. That was the exact moment my body decided to register protest. I could feel my energy dropping through the floor, suddenly realising I’d had very little protein today, and no-where near enough water all day—yet somehow expected myself to play high-intensity table tennis.

We had a fun session and I was determined to gain something out of this session.

Back at home I grabbed an cold drink, collapsed onto the deck in the warm shade, and just let the day catch up with me. I was completely done.