Greg Norman of Australia waves as he walks down the 18th fairway during the third round of the British Open Golf championship, at the Royal Birkdale golf course, Southport, England, Saturday, July 19, 2008. AP Photo/Paul Thomas
From this morning, my world gets a little hectic with the US Open golf for a couple of days. Throw in some Wimbledon for two weeks. Then The Ashes, Tour de France, British Open, Formula One, and the Tri-Nations rugby. You get the picture.
Of course, many of these events are scheduled at ungodly hours, which makes it difficult for us sport connoisseurs who really appreciate the value of live sport.
So here are some tips to get through all this sport watching:
1. Whatever you do, don’t lie down flat while watching sport after 12am. It doesn’t matter how exciting the action is, or how many coffees you’ve had, you’re bound to go to sleep, especially when backing up from the night before. I get this weird dream-reality complex thing happening, where I’m unsure whether I dreamed an amazing moment or actually witnessed it.
2. Try to take momentary sleeps wherever possible, such as an hour after work, lunch break in the cricket, and so on.
3. Drink coffee and energy drinks sparingly. Only use when you’re really getting tired, not in anticipation of getting tired.
4. Move around. Play a bit of shadow cricket and get the blood flowing, so your body knows to keep going.
5. Get some fresh air if your eyes are getting sore from watching Lleyton play a five-setter.
6. Try not to look at the time. It will get to you psychologically.
7. Turn up the television to keep alert
8. Slap your face Tommy Raudonikis-style.
9. Buy chewing gum. Not to be like Mark Taylor, but to subconsciously keep your body functioning.
10. Use some visual imagery. Pretend you’re the one on TV about to receive that pass or face that Andrew Flintoff bouncer.
The hardest part of all this is functioning the day after at work.
Anyone can stay up and watch one night of sport. Even the bandwagon supporters can do it. The true test is backing up, night after night.
It takes practice, commitment and a lot of energy supplements. Kind of like being an athlete.
What are your tips for staying up? And how do you cope the next day with the sport watching hangover?
Wombat Shield
Guest
I like the suggestions, Ben. I'll give you one fool-proof method that always works for me. Throw away your shadow cricket or golf, get out there during the lunch break, or if you can spare missing one or two holes. It's putting your theory of shadow cricket and fresh air together. I remeber watching the British open and F1 with mates a few years ago. We were out at the park at 3am hitting golf balls up and down. Of course, it does make it hard to find them if you are a capable golfer, that's why you need a good supply of balls. French cricket or a penalty shoot-out style game would also work to get the blood pumping. To cope with the hangover, i suggest playing a round of golf as the sun comes up. ahh, nothing like it. Try it, Ben, if you haven't already and I'm sure you will enjoy. As they say with alcohol, the best way to cure a hangover is to have that drink the next day. Play some sport before work, keep updated with highlights incase you dozed off the night before and you'll be ready for action after a nice dinner.
Gaff
Guest
I will definitely be trying some of your suggested tips, but as you said, staying awake for the game isn't the hard part, "The hardest part of all this is functioning the day after at work." I'm struggling today after staying up to watch the Brazillians beat the yanks in the confederations cup in football last night. I don't even want to think how my productivity will suffer when I'm staying up to watch five days in a row of test cricket on SBS.
Brett McKay
Guest
Three words Choppo: Picture In Picture...
Chop
Roar Guru
Conks, I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the Two TV approach. Especially Friday and Saturday nights, with the League and AFL on Friday night. The ashes, British open, Rugby Tri-nations as well as baseball, A-League soon one TV isn't enough, I've got one dialled into FOX and the other in FTA.
Brett McKay
Guest
Conks, functioning at work the next day is easy (as a loss of consciousness tends to be), explaining why you have a keyboard pattern indented in your face is the hard part.... I have a tried a true method for surviving the Ashes series (this will be it's fifth application since 1993), which I intend to share prior to the first Test. Have to say, it's somewhat at odds with your suggestions above. Some of them sound like they'd even work!! (btw, did you see my update to your ONE HD story yesterday??)
Fred Magee
Roar Pro
How to cope the next day? Two words - annual leave!
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
Benjamin- Except for the sub continent and New Zealand all of Australia's cricket tours are between nine and five . Thats 9PM to 5AM. So I have a fiour hour break between shifts. One shift pays the bills and the other sustains the spirit. And definitely no alcohol if you want to stay awake. I would like to see the golf telecast start at midnight so we see the early tee times especially as Tiger was scheduled early. I hope the Australian selectors resist including Lee and Clark and go with the incumbent pacemen. Siddle.Johnson and Hilfenhaus will do the business.