gr8ss4opper

I plan on running/ speed hiking up Half Dome on August 8th, and was looking for any tips that might help. I recently ran 10-mile run at a 7:29/mile pace, and a 9.4 mile trail run with some decent hills at a 8:20/mile average pace. I plan on running in the Asics Trail Attack 5 shoes, with an Nathan Elite 2V Hydration Pack, 1 21-oz handheld, and 4-5 gu packs.

I am a 3.5-4.0 player that will be in Cocoa Beach, FL for a week. There are public courts nearby, but what do you think is the best way to get a decent game while I'm there? Do I pay for private lessons? Post something on craigslist? Or just go out to the public courts and hope someone is out there trolling for a tennis partner, like me?

Kei Nishikori was dubbed "Project 45" by his coaches at the Bollieterri Academy and is now ranked 61. I like his chances in Brisbane, especially since Djokovic is out. Of course he is still an underdog...

I'm excited to participate in this recycling tennis balls effort. I am the President of a small tennis club at work, so I plan on spreading the word and putting out a receptacle to collect tennis balls. What do you guys think? This should be VERY interesting, in my opinion.

I have a 3.5 Singles Semi-final match on Sunday, that I want to do well in (win). I played my opponent before, a month ago, in a fairly close match where I lost 4-6 6-0 6-7. I plan on getting a tuneup private lesson on Saturday morning to help me get ready. My back feels a little tense, though, and I was wondering if any tennis players get massages before their big matches? Any other tips to help me do my best? Thanks for your help! Wish me luck!

I've read "Winning Ugly" by Brad Gilbert, and "The Inner Game of Tennis" by Tim Gallwey, and think that they are both great tennis books. Can anyone suggest other good tennis books to read?

We'll be flying to Long Beach, CA, and have a whole day to spend on our own (me, my wife, and our 1 year old daughter). Disneyland is well within reach, but is it the best place to take a 1 year old? Other options include the LA Zoo, the Aquarium of the Pacific, Adventure City, or the beach. Where would you take a one year old?

We are flying from San Jose to Long Beach, CA, via Jet Blue. We plan on checking in our daughter's car seat. It is kind of big and bulky. Do we need to put it in a box or bag before checking it in?

People who love tennis can usually recall a crazy rally, point, or incident that stands out in their fond memories of the game - kind of like a trophy or a battle scar. I once had a crazy rally in a 3.5 singles tennis match where we both end up at the net, hitting a bunch of quick volleys, when I accidentally blocked a ball up higher into the "kill zone" and thought, "Crap, he is going to smash it right at me!" And as he smashes it at me, all I could do was close my eyes and stick out my racquet in front of my midsection. When I open my eyes, I see the ball tick over into the corner of the court. I ended up losing that match in 2 sets, but I scored that point, that I will never forget.

I'm think about growing out my hair to donate it. What do you think?

I am a 31 year old man, my hair grows pretty fast, and I would simply cut it all off, once it is at an acceptable length (go bald, which I've done in the past). Currently, my hair is about 6 inches long. Of course my family (and my wife) hassles me about getting a haircut because it is at a crazy stage.

It doesn't always happen. But when it does, it is REALLY unsettling. Its also very difficult to describe. Its possibly the result of over-focusing on the ball. I can see the ball fine, but my directional sense of where the ground is, is skewed. I'm not dizzy, I'm not dehydrated, and my prescription glasses are fine. Its as if the ground is playing tricks on me. I'll hit the ball 6 feet out (not mishitting it), while aiming for well inside the lines.

Kei was dubbed "Project 45" by the folks at the Bolleteri Academy because they want him to reach at least a rank of 45 in the world. Shuzo Matsuoka was the last Japanese to win an ATP event when he triumphed in Seoul in April 1992. He just knocked off James Blake in the final at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships - the first japanese player to win an ATP final in over 16 years! I just ran out to watch him face Andy Roddick (live) at the SAP Open in San Jose! It was great! By the way he played Roddick, I would not be surprised if he got into the top ten someday soon! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! Go KEI! Can we crown him the new "Prince of Tennis"!