UPDATE

It's been quite a while since I have updated the blog, Sorry!!! The summer is quite a busy time, early morning starts and late evenings due to the heat. I have been quite busy since my last competition (June), so I will do my best to update my travels!!
I have continued my training (3 times a week) as I know this is what will keep me going in the my long third set matches. I played Fran Chandler, the #1 ranked player in the US and in the World (at the Senior Southern Cup competition in Alabama) in June and I won an unbelievable match 6-3 in the third. I cramped some in the second set (temps were very hot and humid), but I was able to control the cramping with pickle juice, ice, stretching etc. I still credit my win to the extra hard work I have been putting in the gym. It was a great match with great quality shots and of course super long points. My greatest strengths were of course my conditioning, my ability to hit good quality defensive shots, and my movement. All of these things contributed to my win.
Since that match, I have geared my training to the Grass court game. I played in July in the Grass court National in Pennsylvania. I have played this tournament every year since I was 34!!! A great tournament, fun surface (although I hated playing on grass for the first 3 years!!). I now know what to expect and I prepare better and my results have improved (winner of doubles and 2nd in singles last year). I beat Joann Russell (Wimbledon doubs champ in the late 70's) in singles and in doubles last year. I have to be more aggressive and play alot of serve and volley!!! I got to Philly 3 days prior to the tournament and practiced for 2 days on the grass. I noticed that my right shoulder was acting up some, but thought maybe it was just a little tight. Well by Monday I was struggling quite a bit, I could barely serve, hit a forehand, overhead, or a high forehand. All the shots I needed to do well on the grass!! I tried massage therapy and of course lot's of drugs and nothing helped. It turned out to be a bad case of busitis and a slight strain of a muscle. I played my first round match and won. I struggled alot, especially on my serve and forehand and the shoulder was hurting quite a bit. I managed to make it to the semis where I lost, again the shoulder did not allow me to hit any overheads and struggled on my serve. I almost defaulted after taking an injury time out, but I chose to finish the match. I defaulted for 3rd/4th playoff, trying to save my shoulder for the doubles. We played a tough semfinal match and lost in 2 very close sets. We did win the bronze in the 3rd/4th playoff in doubls. I went home very disappointed, since I felt I was very ready to win, but sometimes injuries just show up at our age and we just have to deal with it!!!
I came home and took a week off, iced, stretched and rested. Worked with my trainer on alot of stretching and strength training. Within a week it started to feel better and got back on the court!!!