I wasn't sure exactly what I was getting myself into when I accepted an invitation to have a squash lesson with pro Marie Desmarais at Better Bodies Cross Training Centre.

My knowledge of squash was that the players went into a little glass court, facing a wall with a racket, but I had never stood around long enough to see what they do once they're in there.

Before my lesson, after meeting deadline I searched Google for some information about squash, before I jumped into something I was totally unprepared for.

After searching through many articles on Wikipedia about the wonderful vegetable I finally found what I was looking for, squash the sport.

While squash is not unique to the Yukon, I didn't even know there were tournaments held, and it seems that upon further research that Whitehorse was just hopping with squash events throughout the winter.

Anyways, Wikipedia told me all about squash, its history, what the ball looks like (its black, bouncy and hollow!) and a brief bit about scoring I didn't bother to read.

I felt somewhat prepared.

So, on Tuesday I brought a change of clothes to work and waited for 2:30 p.m. when I would either be made a complete fool of by my clumsiness, or somehow come out as a squash champion, but I was expecting the former.

I am not athletically inclined in the slightest. I enjoy watching other people and their athletic talents but I was not born with a natural ability in any sport really. Being tall I was okay in a few track and field events such as high jump and long jump in elementary school; however, I was turned off of track and field when a girl asked a teacher to have me removed from her team because

I was too slow in the 100 meter race.

I never returned to the track again.

Upon entering high school in Grade 9, I was already approaching six feet. The gym teachers begged me to join their volleyball or basketball teams, but I assured them I would be more of a hindrance than an asset.

Sure enough when the volleyball portion of the curriculum came up, I embarrassed myself by quite literally running into the net and falling down, and my gym teachers thanked me for not trying out - cutting students who are terrible is always difficult.

When I told Marie about my athleticism, she said not to worry and after a quick tour of Better Bodies, she gave me a racket and we headed down to the courts. I was scared for poor Marie. Putting me in a tiny court with a racket and a ball was awfully dangerous with my previous track record at sporting events.

But, strangely enough, not fearing for her life, Marie quickly explained a few rules, and we spun my racket to decide who would hit first. I can't remember who won, I was so overwhelmed by it all and imagining myself tripping over my own shoes - my comfy skateboard shoes that shouldn't have even been on the court.

Then, Marie explained how to grip and swing the racket, and hit the ball at the wall for me.

I bounded at the little black thing hurling towards me, and praying to some higher power, I swung my racket and - I connected with the ball.

I was so confused, I must have looked it because Marie got really excited and congratulated me.

Had I really just hit the tiny ball on the first try in a sport I'd never done before without even a stumble?

I mean, I had even hit it with a bit of finesse.

A few more tries and I was hitting back hand and front hand shots, I was hitting them high and low and from off the wall and to the wall - I even served and got it in the place Marie had told me to.

By the end of the lesson I was as excited as Marie, and ready to go for another hour or more, but unfortunately, my time was up.

I discussed my options with Marie, and it was decided that I should take a few more lessons.

The next day I woke up stiff and sore from the bounding and racket swinging. A lady who's husband I had interviewed earlier Tuesday morning had warned me that I would get sore, but I didn't think a quick half an hour in a tiny court could do such a thing.

Oh how wrong I was. I'm still sore, three days later, but I still want to go back and play squash.

Before the invitation from Marie came I read somewhere that Squash is the healthiest sport there is. While this advice may have come from a squash enthusiast, I get it now. Despite the tiny court you really get moving.

So, I'll see you on the courts soon - if I can get stop being such a whimp about my sore arm.