I’m pretty pumped to be writing my first instalment of my weekly column “The Life of Lisa Longball”.
Lisa Longball? I know, I know, it sounds like a pornstar name, and not a very good one! With a last name like “Vlooswyk,” which no one seems to be able to pronounce or spell, the media nicknamed me “Lisa Longball.” It’s a moniker that stuck.
I got the name because I am a long-drive champion. I can’t chip and putt (well at least not worthy enough for the LPGA Tour) but I can hit the ball over the length of three NFL football fields, with my longest drive in competition measuring just over 350 yards. I love to hit it hard!
In addition to competing in long drive, I also entertain at corporate and charity golf outings, am a motivational speaker, a golf journalist and, most importantly, a mom.
I was actually the first pregnant athlete at the World Long Drive Championships. At six months people didn’t know if I had gained some “Molson Muscle” (beer gut) or was pregnant (survival tip to men: never ask a girl if she is pregnant). I finished top 10 that year and can’t wait to someday show pictures to my little guy of it.
By the Molson comment you’ve probably gleaned I am Canadian. I wonder why I live in this snow-capped country sometimes when I am faced with a six-month off-season, but I am born and raised here so I love the maple leaf.
Each week I will share stories, experiences and tips of what a week in my life looks like. I used to be a non-golfing elementary school teacher. If you told me 10 years ago I would be traveling around the world, making a living hitting a little white ball I would have thought you were bat-s*%# crazy! Yet here I am…loving it!
Well, onto Week 1. My season typically ends each year in October in Mesquite, Nev., at the World Long Drive Championships. I came second in 2011 and was excited about moving up in 2012 by one place to try to capture the world title. I realized in a hurry, swinging into 20-30 mph headwinds that I probably shouldn’t have made a swing change five weeks before Worlds. Live and Learn. Though my top-five finish was devastating to me at the time, it has given me crazy motivation for 2013.
I took two weeks off after Worlds and ate every carb in sight – even indulged in a libation or two. After being what felt like a sloth, I was back at it ready for off-season training time. I usually hit the gym hard in the off-season to work on building strength, flexibility and stamina. I have kick-started the program the last three years by doing P90x, a 12-week workout routine that focuses on all levels of fitness. It has a rotating schedule of six days a week takin about an hour to 90 minutes per session.
Motherhood forces me to find time to work out, usually first thing in the morning when no one is up or it doesn’t happen. So the alarm goes off each day at 5:30 a.m. There are so many days I have wanted to just shut off the piercing alarm and roll over, but I don’t. What stops me from hitting the snooze button is the goal of becoming the World Long Drive Champion. It is what motivates me and makes me want to be better, play better.
I have two weeks left in the program, and it is encouraging to see the physical changes. My only disappointment has come in leaning out. I thought with working out so hard I would automatically get lean. I keep hearing the 80 percent of what you look like is what you eat…sighhh…I guess that means I have to cut down on carbs and cheese, a true sacrifice.
As for my swing, I usually take off until the New Year, and then I am hungry for it! I am dying to hit balls and am going this afternoon for the first time! Sadly it will be off mats and under heated stalls as temperatures are below freezing, but I get to swing!
As I mentioned earlier, I just implemented a swing change and the best time to go through that painful process is the off season so you can’t revert to bad habits on the course.
Until next week, go long!
