Saturday at the US Open

I mentioned in last week's 5 for Friday post that Woody and I had been blessed with day passes for the US Open on Saturday by a friend of mine from college, E. At that time, I had no idea how awesome the day would be. It was like living someone else's life.

I have only played tennis a handful of times in my life, and they were all while I was in middle school or younger. I've dreamed of being a tennis player but I never took the lessons necessary, especially in my town where the competition was fierce. Tennis players are graceful, athletic, powerful, and creative.

I started the day with a great 5 mile run around downtown. I fought a stiff breeze for a good portion of it, but the sun was out and the air was cool. Hurricane Earl apparently brought us beautiful weather! My legs felt really good, I barely felt a twinge in my foot and I sprinted the last few blocks. I stopped by the small farmers market at the Andaz Hotel on my way home to grab a few apples and stretched in the gym in our building. After we finished our breakfasts, we got ready and headed to Penn Station to take the LIRR out to the National Tennis Center. On our way out, Woody remarked that he's never been so dressed up for a sporting event!

Once we found the right entrance and picked up our passes for the President's Suite, we found E working outside the suite. She's been taking two week's vacation each year for a few years now to work the US Open with a friend of hers. Two long weeks. It was great to see her as she lives in Detroit and even when I'm home visiting family it's not possible to get to the D to hang out with her. She took us into a beautiful white room with an open bar and wall to wall, floor to ceiling windows looking out over the court in Arthur Ashe Stadium!

We saw Kaia Kanepi win over Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharapova defeat Beatrice Capra (an 18year old from Maryland) and Roger Federer beat Paul-Henri Mathieu! It was an incredible schedule and we couldn't have asked for a better day! The weather was beautiful (except for intense wind that forced stoppage of play several times due to napkins landing on the court!) and the players were top rate! We also had an amazing lunch in the dining room. The salmon melted in my mouth! We got to chat with E for a bit after we finished lunch and she let us in on who was there who needed the body guards - Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada. Apparently, Usher and John Legend had been there a few days earlier. But mostly, the suite is for guests of the President of the USTA and representatives from the various USTA districts.

Sharapova serving, Capra waiting to return

Federer defying the wind and serving up a fast one!

Woody and me from our seats! (like his hat?!)

E and me after the last day match!

Our passes allowed us seats in the suite for the day session, but then we were kicked out for the evening session. It was a great excuse to explore the grounds and check out a few side courts.

We checked out a few couples matches on the side courts

Even the kids got in on the action!

It was an amazing day and I am so incredibly thankful to E for sharing this experience with us!

The US Open is a fun event, and you don't have to be in the President's Suite (or even understand all the rules of the game)! If you ever get the chance to go, jump on the LIRR from Penn Station, head out there, and enjoy the day!

Did you read yesterday's post about the best yoga class I've ever taken? Scroll down or check it out here!

Do you play tennis? Or watch it? Maybe when hot players like Roddick, Federer or Sharipova are on the court?

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workout stats -

10mile bike

3x10 hammer curls

3x10 bicep curls

3x10 cable pull twists

3x10 weighted side bends

stretching

ankle strengthening exercises