An uncomfortable truth

Not to overstate the obvious for east coasters but

IT'S HOT OUT HERE!!!!

Fencing in a non air conditioned facility during a heat wave - - not as exhilarating as one would think.

The last few days we have moved practice to the mornings to keep from melting onto the floor into a puddle under our masks. I am still unsure how we managed to move into a building that doesn't have air conditioning, only a few windows and a garage door. The garage door is a remnant from when the space was used as a storage facility.

Nat, my coach, tried to reassure me that "that which does not kill us makes us stronger". However, being a PhD and an eloquent speaker decided to disguise her message in a story.

Nat told me about a physiological study that was done on German soldiers stationed in Africa. The soldiers were being moved from one point in Africa to the German base camp for training in another part of Africa. One of the groups had the misfortune of riding on a train with a non-functioning air conditioning system. Of course they complained the entire ride (much like I was during practice) but it turns out that when these soldiers began training in the sweltering heat they were less susceptible to heat related injuries and stress. The moral of the story-it's hot in Africa and I should just wipe the sweat off my face and continue fencing.


And.....


This week's episode of the Young, Athletic, and Broke is titled, "When do patience and perseverance intersect?".

I have decide to take any disappointment I feel by the lack of response from the mayor about a job and the slow pace of donations and turn it into some positive fuel for perseverance.


Storyline for the Mayor of Rochester:

Once again I am going to to go the athletic club on Friday morning at an amazingly crazy hour - 6:30am (don't let any athlete let you believe they actually get up that early unless they swim or row). I think this encounter will be rather awkward but I think politicians are used to those awkward "what did I say/promise" moments. Well, at least I hope our current president has some of those moments or at least those moments where he recognizes the fact that years of taking drugs could possibly limit brain function.


Storyline on what it's like to live as an athlete:

I have decided to take matters into my own hands and create a portfolio for myself in order to solicit local Rochester companies and businesses for sponsorship. It doesn't seem like it should be that hard to raise $35,000. I have a photo shoot today for photos to include on both my portfolio and some posters my friend will sell at his frame shop.

The fact is that if I didn't live with parents at the moment I wouldn't be able to afford to train. I see a trainer twice a week which costs $55 each session. Being an athlete is not so cheap. I also need new foils which cost over $100. Fencing is not a cheap sport.


Storyline on what it's like for a fencer making a comeback:

I have spent the last month getting used to the new games and rules of foil (my weapon). In the past I was able to dominate my opponents through strength and power-I would overrun my opponents by pushing and attacking them. Sounds kind of brutal when you write it in a blog. Anyways, the rules of the game have changed and patience is now key but you have to find a way to cross patience with short bursts of action. The attacks have to be calculated and disguised much more cleverly than before.


So what do these three stories reveal about the answer to today's question - Where do patience and perseverance intersect?


Answer:Patience actually becomes perseverance when action is required.