For multiple reasons, including moving our club + David breaking his ankle and being out of commission for lessons for close to four months + getting close to burnout, I wasn’t able to maintain a training schedule for almost the entire last season.
Adulting is hard and gets in the way of things we really want to do sometimes. Ever feel like you get to a place where things are cruising along well and then something interferes and makes you have to start over? It’s REALLY difficult to get back to what you had previously worked hard to achieve. Sometimes you just can’t. The inner fire is gone.
Competing at Summer Nationals at the end of this season helped renew the inner fire required to begin (again). I really love competing. It’s a great way to see what’s working and what you need to improve. But even more than that, it’s the time I get to see my fencing friends. Several of you were so encouraging both during and after the competition. I really needed the emotional boost and you gave it to me even though I didn’t ask for it. A couple of you messaged me a few weeks after everyone went home and were so kind with your remarks and encouragement–how could I turn away from that????
So now it’s back to the C25K app (have I mentioned I HATE running?) and weightlifting (it makes me feel badass) and not sleeping well at night because everything hurts and I’m dying. And fencing practice too, of course.
It feels both horrible and great to return to training. Horrible because my body hurts all the time right now, because I know how much strength I’ve lost, and because it’s going to take a while to get it back.
But mostly it’s great because:
I’ve found a group of people who want to hold one another accountable for running three days a week. We will also run a 5K together this fall.
My Victorious Secret teammates and I are messaging one another from time to time to check on one another’s workout progress.
I’m working on my mental toughness again.
I’m working on my physical toughness again.
Pushing myself now means I will push my competitors at the December and April NACs and at the next Summer Nationals. That raises the level of Veteran Women’s Sabre fencing. I’m proud to be a part of that positive dynamic.
No matter what happens in life, you can almost always start again.
If you have personal goals for this coming season and need a group to help you, I can think of no better people than Veteran fencers. So many of you have bemoaned the fact that there are so few committed adults at your club to train with. If you need a long-distance training buddy to help you stay on track, ask around. You’ll find someone. Or message me. You can join my accountability tribe.
Happy New Fencing Season! Let’s make it our best one yet! What are you going to do to make yourself better? What are you going to do to make someone else better?