Getting out of the way (Part 3)

This is another long post, hopefully to get everything out on what I intended to write earlier. Again I'm writing this for myself. I'm putting down years of accumulation of thoughts into record, get them out of the way so that I can process new thoughts. :)

By now the whole world knows that Phelps succeeded in smashing Spitz's record by winning 8 golds in a single Olympic games (with 7 new world records and 1 new Olympic record). He's coming out with an autobiography and someday I'll buy and read it. I wanna know the processes that he took.

I love playing squash. This game has really transformed my life. Joined a local club and played for the team for over six years now. I was spotted by a club player who later became our team captain. He gave me countless of advices, trained and sparred with me. Earlier this year, my captain left for Singapore to further his career. Sad, but I still play on because I love the game so much.

Why do I love the game of squash? Firstly, it's deeply engaging, technically and physically. It's a thinking game, perfect test for mental sharpness, strategic thinking and willpower. It's the most challenging and interesting among all racket games. But the thing is, only players can truly appreciate the game, not spectators. Maybe that's why the Olympics committee has no idea what they've been missing all these decades. Many of our club squash players retired and moved on to other racket sports and dominate them. But when it comes to squash, they just can't keep up with its demands anymore.

I play/train twice a week for many years now. I've suffered many (minor) injuries. 3 years ago, my captain thought I would quit after marriage. But no, I've not slowed down. Because, in a typical routine week, the hours that I spend in the squash court are the times I feel alive the most. Unless of injury or holidays, I rarely skip my squash sessions. Or unless all my squash buddies can't make it somehow.

One of the best thing the game has brought out in me is the warrior, and the hunter. I put myself to the test every week. Exercising my competitive muscles. The thrill (perhaps the need?) to be at the edge, not to be safe. I put myself in a win or lose situation again and again, over many hundreds of matches, over the years.

Fitness. They say the best fitness plan (to stay in "shape") is one you really enjoy and will most likely stick to, regardless of types of workouts or games. I say the best way is to choose a game you love, and get yourself into competitive mode. To be at the cutting edge. You'll give everything to learn and master the game. Losing weight will be the last thing you think because you will accomplish that in the process without looking for it, while having lotsa fun and fulfilling your need to win. Yes, I think the need to win (conquest) is one of man's fundamental needs. The arena of sports are perfect places to sharpen your saw, and a forgiving place too (unless you're a pro). Back to fitness. I really pity those who exercise to lose weight. They've got it all wrong. They're not fully using themselves, and therefore they're fighting a losing battle, just a matter of time. Just my opinion, ok?

This year, I've learnt something new. All along, I've known that it takes great mental strength to direct my body, to play through the grueling rallies. And to do that it requires tremendous willpower. And where is the source of willpower? This year I realized that it is DESIRE. Desire is one of the highest human motivational power. During countless of matches, I often ask myself "how much do I WANT to win this?", "do I really want this match?" And many times, thoughts like "maybe not today" and "maybe the next match, next week" crept into my mind. Many times I've decided that certain battles are just not worth the amount of punishment. It's impossible to sustain a high level for very long. That's why I said I had to put myself into these situations to exercise my 'muscles'. The key lies in transforming desires into wills. And the cycles of engaging-disengaging will hopefully strengthen that more.

The Zone. What is getting into the Zone? It's not often I experience it but when I do, it's one of the most pleasurable feelings in the world. You definitely can't get into it by being idle, being safe. It comes when you're in the processes of something incredibly challenging (this is one of the conditions), body and mind. But when you 'drift' into the Zone, things become quite effortless because you focus on the right things, often the simpler things, not worry about results, enjoy being in the moment, enjoy playing and everything will just flow together.

And there is no striving when in the Zone. It's like I'm getting out of the way of myself, letting all my years of training and experience, and dreams come together in a perfect integration, and just flow with it. When I'm in it, I lose track of time, almost surreal (I wrote about a similar experience while climbing Mount Kinabalu in a much earlier post). Results will be the last thing in mind, but often come inevitably. And at the end of the game, I'll be thinking "Over already ah?" Because I don't want to get out of it, I have boundless energy that could go on and on.

Someone described the Zone as this: "that amazing experience of ease, control and well-being when you don't feel as if you have to make the sport happen because it almost seems to be happening on its own, and you're just going along for an intensely pleasurable ride." I totally agree with that.

Many said he was arrogant but I'm not surprised to see Usain Bolt had lots of fun while smashing the 100m sprinting world records at Olympics with incredible ease. He wasn't making fun of things. He was in the Zone! They have no idea. Phelps too had lots of fun. He didn't let the 8-gold-medals thingy get into his head, he was enjoying himself every moment, every day in the Olympics. Every food he ate, everyone he met. That's why they were saying he was such an extremely friendly guy for someone so successful. Wait for the autobiography.

These days of playing, I've too many distracting thoughts getting in the way. Heck! Most of them are not even my problems. I need to learn how to block out certain thoughts at important times, like they don't exist. Otherwise it's like pulling up the handbrakes when it's time to accelerate. Winning or losing is not the final matter, it's when I'm unable to give my all when I want to, which irks me most.

That's why I admire sportsmen who are often put under pressure and yet able to perform at ease. Especially those with the odds stacking against them. I would love to get into their minds to learn a few things. Natural talents and giftings aside, I think there's something greater in them that makes them excel. Something everyone can catch if they seek for it. To be the best one can be, not to compare with someone else.

At the end of the year, I'll buy and read Lance Armstrong's autobiography "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back To Life". Another story of an amazing guy who won Tour de France with a record of seven consecutive years. What's amazing is that he only managed to do it AFTER he recovered from testicular cancer. Some said he wouldn't have been the great champion he was without the cancer. A tremendous inner battle he overcame before he conquered the world. Another great example of one racing with himself first, so that he could get out of his own way. I'm delighted to hear in the radio news yesterday that he's coming out of retirement back to cycling, to raise global awareness of cancer. Can he win his eight Tour de France next year?

Am I ready for squash tonight? I'm still excited as ever. And when the time comes when I lose the desire to play, I'll hang up my racket. And play another sport? I cannot imagine just yet!

I can't wait to meet back my (now ex) captain for this weekend's championship. Haven't seen him for many months.