Just wanted to let everyone know that I am going to Buenos Aires tomorrow for the next world cup. It's been about ten years since I was last there and I forgot about the 10 hour trip it takes to get there.
I probably won't post between now and when I get back on Monday.
Have a great week and weekend! :)
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Family of friends
It's Memorial Day. For some, this day means little more than an extra day off of work or school, barbecues with the family, or the true start of summer.
However, this morning I was struck by the sadness of a photo on the front page of the New York Times. The photograph was of a young woman, probably my age, laying down on the grave site of her fiance who was killed in Iraq this past February. In that moment I thought about what it would feel like to be her-to love someone and lose them to something that you weren't even sure of.
So, with that thought and this image, I bow my head and say a prayer to all the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect our country.
It's not so easy to transition from this topic to the next, which is more upbeat, but I want to bring it up anyways since this is my blog and I can write what I want to.
This past weekend I had an opportunity to attend a wonderful wedding in North Carolina. The groom is a friend of mine and a great fencer, Keeth Smart. His sister Erinn, who was a bridesmaid in the wedding, is also a good friend and teammate of mine.
So Iris, what's the point? Well, there were several fencers that were present at the wedding as well. A lot of these fencers I grew up with as a teenager-we were teammates and friends. We had our first travel, competition, and going out expereinces together. One of the people in the group was the first person I ever kissed-he and I shared my first kiss in Valencia, Venezuela of all places about seven or eight years ago.
Most of the fencers at the wedding retired from the sport so I haven't seen them in so long. But, it was like picking up where we left off. Seeing them was a reminder of how close we all become when we share these experiences together.
We are a family. The fencing group is definitely like a family. We know each other very intimately-in a way that most people don't understand. We are part of a sport and part of something bigger than ourselves. These are the people that I can turn to and without a word they will understand everything that I am going through.
The most interesting part of speaking with all of them-it was clear that none of them could shake the sport. Most of them applauded me for continuing to pursue my dream because they would love to do the same. One of my friends at the wedding, mentioned how much of a hole she felt in her life after she left the sport-like a part of her was always missing.
I feel the same. Just recently I realized how happy I was to be back in the sport. I know there was a lot of hesitation at the risk in the beginning, but now I feel like I have finally found what I was looking for. I love the traveling, I love the people in the sport, and I love the game itself.
I am very lucky to have the opportunity to pursue my passions and to make so many close friends in the process. I know that they will always be there and these memories will always make us smile.
However, this morning I was struck by the sadness of a photo on the front page of the New York Times. The photograph was of a young woman, probably my age, laying down on the grave site of her fiance who was killed in Iraq this past February. In that moment I thought about what it would feel like to be her-to love someone and lose them to something that you weren't even sure of.
So, with that thought and this image, I bow my head and say a prayer to all the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect our country.
It's not so easy to transition from this topic to the next, which is more upbeat, but I want to bring it up anyways since this is my blog and I can write what I want to.
This past weekend I had an opportunity to attend a wonderful wedding in North Carolina. The groom is a friend of mine and a great fencer, Keeth Smart. His sister Erinn, who was a bridesmaid in the wedding, is also a good friend and teammate of mine.
So Iris, what's the point? Well, there were several fencers that were present at the wedding as well. A lot of these fencers I grew up with as a teenager-we were teammates and friends. We had our first travel, competition, and going out expereinces together. One of the people in the group was the first person I ever kissed-he and I shared my first kiss in Valencia, Venezuela of all places about seven or eight years ago.
Most of the fencers at the wedding retired from the sport so I haven't seen them in so long. But, it was like picking up where we left off. Seeing them was a reminder of how close we all become when we share these experiences together.
We are a family. The fencing group is definitely like a family. We know each other very intimately-in a way that most people don't understand. We are part of a sport and part of something bigger than ourselves. These are the people that I can turn to and without a word they will understand everything that I am going through.
The most interesting part of speaking with all of them-it was clear that none of them could shake the sport. Most of them applauded me for continuing to pursue my dream because they would love to do the same. One of my friends at the wedding, mentioned how much of a hole she felt in her life after she left the sport-like a part of her was always missing.
I feel the same. Just recently I realized how happy I was to be back in the sport. I know there was a lot of hesitation at the risk in the beginning, but now I feel like I have finally found what I was looking for. I love the traveling, I love the people in the sport, and I love the game itself.
I am very lucky to have the opportunity to pursue my passions and to make so many close friends in the process. I know that they will always be there and these memories will always make us smile.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Fencing is 90% mental and the rest is just in your head
So, for you Yogi Berra fans out there you might recognize one of his quotes that I have doctored up. He once said about his beloved game, "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical.". Oh Yogi, you always know how to make people laugh and sort of get the point at the same time.
I was just thinking the other day of how to get across on the blog how much it takes, mentally, to be at the top of the athletics game. There is very little separating the best from the winners. There are a lot of great fencers out there but there is a difference between the winners and the ones who just make the same results-it's all mental. The stronger you are at dealing with competition-the heightened emotion, the nervousness, anxiety, sometimes the fear, and the definite uncertainty of outcome-the better you are. Having confidence helps but where does all that come from? Your mind.
It's interesting to consider the mind and body connection. Whatever your mind thinks-your body will react in kind, especially during a highly stressful situation such as high level athletic competition. For example let's take some of my past experiences. In the past before a match, if I would envision the task of winning a match as if it were a great big mountain, I would instantly become nervous and very often fatigued. In my mind's eye I would see a huge mountain and feel exhausted at the thought of climbing it-I had already lost the match in my mind. However, if I approached a match with the feeling that I am working step by step towards a goal, my body would respond in kind. I would be ready to fight and most likely win.
In fencing your greatest opponent is yourself. It's a very intense sport where decisions need to be made quickly and you have to believe they will work in that same instant. There is always more than one way to figure out how to hit someone but you have to have ultimate faith that you can come up with the answer and make it happen-no question marks. If there is any hesitation you have will most likely have the opponents tip on your chest-not a pleasant experience.
I actually started thinking about this at the world cup in Shanghai after listening in on a conversation that my coach was having with a fencer named Giovanna Trillini. (Actually, I have long been working with a sports psychologist so I've been giving the mind and body connection a lot of thought for a while). Anyways-Trillini, as I call her, is one of the greatest fencers of all time. She has won more medals than I will ever see in my lifetime. She has been on every Italian Olympic team since 1992 and she is going for her fifth run at Beijing. Click on her name to get her full stats.
Fencers have trained to be like her-myself included. But here she was in Shanghai, the 1992 Olympic gold medallist (which she won with a messed up knee and a large brace), talk about how she didn't do well at the world cup in Shanghai because she hadn't taken lessons in a week due to the flu. If anyone could enter a world cup and win without taking lessons for five years-it would be Trillini. BUT-here it is folks, the big BUT, in her mind she believed that she wasn't sharp enough on her feet and in her hand to make the top-four in the competition because she hadn't trained in a week. My coach and I were just floored. If she doesn't have the confidence to win, than who does?
The mind plays a significant role in where an athlete ends up-are they going to be a champion or will they always be just good? And in this case, sometimes champions can't get into the zone at a competition which makes competition all the more unpredictable and all the more exciting.
I spend a lot of time in the gym but I have learned that in order to make the transition into the athlete that I want to become, the same if not more amount of time needs to be spent working on mental preparation. The adage is true-if you believe it, you can achieve it. You just have to get your mind in concert with your heart and have faith that you can get to the top of the mountain, which is only a mole hill anyways.
I was just thinking the other day of how to get across on the blog how much it takes, mentally, to be at the top of the athletics game. There is very little separating the best from the winners. There are a lot of great fencers out there but there is a difference between the winners and the ones who just make the same results-it's all mental. The stronger you are at dealing with competition-the heightened emotion, the nervousness, anxiety, sometimes the fear, and the definite uncertainty of outcome-the better you are. Having confidence helps but where does all that come from? Your mind.
It's interesting to consider the mind and body connection. Whatever your mind thinks-your body will react in kind, especially during a highly stressful situation such as high level athletic competition. For example let's take some of my past experiences. In the past before a match, if I would envision the task of winning a match as if it were a great big mountain, I would instantly become nervous and very often fatigued. In my mind's eye I would see a huge mountain and feel exhausted at the thought of climbing it-I had already lost the match in my mind. However, if I approached a match with the feeling that I am working step by step towards a goal, my body would respond in kind. I would be ready to fight and most likely win.
In fencing your greatest opponent is yourself. It's a very intense sport where decisions need to be made quickly and you have to believe they will work in that same instant. There is always more than one way to figure out how to hit someone but you have to have ultimate faith that you can come up with the answer and make it happen-no question marks. If there is any hesitation you have will most likely have the opponents tip on your chest-not a pleasant experience.
I actually started thinking about this at the world cup in Shanghai after listening in on a conversation that my coach was having with a fencer named Giovanna Trillini. (Actually, I have long been working with a sports psychologist so I've been giving the mind and body connection a lot of thought for a while). Anyways-Trillini, as I call her, is one of the greatest fencers of all time. She has won more medals than I will ever see in my lifetime. She has been on every Italian Olympic team since 1992 and she is going for her fifth run at Beijing. Click on her name to get her full stats.
Fencers have trained to be like her-myself included. But here she was in Shanghai, the 1992 Olympic gold medallist (which she won with a messed up knee and a large brace), talk about how she didn't do well at the world cup in Shanghai because she hadn't taken lessons in a week due to the flu. If anyone could enter a world cup and win without taking lessons for five years-it would be Trillini. BUT-here it is folks, the big BUT, in her mind she believed that she wasn't sharp enough on her feet and in her hand to make the top-four in the competition because she hadn't trained in a week. My coach and I were just floored. If she doesn't have the confidence to win, than who does?
The mind plays a significant role in where an athlete ends up-are they going to be a champion or will they always be just good? And in this case, sometimes champions can't get into the zone at a competition which makes competition all the more unpredictable and all the more exciting.
I spend a lot of time in the gym but I have learned that in order to make the transition into the athlete that I want to become, the same if not more amount of time needs to be spent working on mental preparation. The adage is true-if you believe it, you can achieve it. You just have to get your mind in concert with your heart and have faith that you can get to the top of the mountain, which is only a mole hill anyways.
Insomnia
The best part about coming back from Asia-being home. The worst part, two words-JET and LAG. Even after all my travels it's still hard to return home from a long trip but the large time difference in Asia, it's sort of making my head spin.
During the days I'm always tired because of course, my body thinks it's time to sleep. I push through the day and then at night when I think I'm going to be at my peak of being tired and being ready for bed, I'm WIDE AWAKE. WIDE AWAKE. Last night I "fell asleep" (I wouldn't call it sleeping, more like a light doze) around 1am and then I woke up every hour from 5:30am on.
I asked my coach and she is experiencing the same sort of dazy days and wide awake nights. We are both using the opportunity to catch up on some work late into the night. She does some paper work for the US Fencing office and I blog about the jet lag experience.
However, I am going to try and get to sleep a little sooner tonight because I have to be up early to go to the gym.
The trip to Asia was wonderful and I am now look forward to going to Buenos Aires next week. The fun never stops in the Olympic fencer world.
During the days I'm always tired because of course, my body thinks it's time to sleep. I push through the day and then at night when I think I'm going to be at my peak of being tired and being ready for bed, I'm WIDE AWAKE. WIDE AWAKE. Last night I "fell asleep" (I wouldn't call it sleeping, more like a light doze) around 1am and then I woke up every hour from 5:30am on.
I asked my coach and she is experiencing the same sort of dazy days and wide awake nights. We are both using the opportunity to catch up on some work late into the night. She does some paper work for the US Fencing office and I blog about the jet lag experience.
However, I am going to try and get to sleep a little sooner tonight because I have to be up early to go to the gym.
The trip to Asia was wonderful and I am now look forward to going to Buenos Aires next week. The fun never stops in the Olympic fencer world.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Back in town-sort of
Hi all. I am finally back in the US of A after a long tour in Asia. I'm not actually in Rochester at the moment but I have decided to take two or three days off in California before heading back home to train. My next event is in about two weeks in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The tournament in Tokyo went well for the team. We placed in the top-eight ahead of our two zonal competitors, Venezuela and Canada. Just in case you didn't know-in order to qualify a team to the Olympic Games, the USA has to be ahead of the other countries in the hemisphere by the end of April 2008. As of now the US women's foil team has placed ahead of all our competitors in both world cup team events in Korea and Japan (there was to team in Shanghai).
I'm really happy to be home at the moment. I can't believe how long it's been. Right now I feel like a walking zombie but I am sure the jet lag will go away soon enough.
Have a great week!
The tournament in Tokyo went well for the team. We placed in the top-eight ahead of our two zonal competitors, Venezuela and Canada. Just in case you didn't know-in order to qualify a team to the Olympic Games, the USA has to be ahead of the other countries in the hemisphere by the end of April 2008. As of now the US women's foil team has placed ahead of all our competitors in both world cup team events in Korea and Japan (there was to team in Shanghai).
I'm really happy to be home at the moment. I can't believe how long it's been. Right now I feel like a walking zombie but I am sure the jet lag will go away soon enough.
Have a great week!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
When in Shanghai
Current location: An amazing apartment in the PuDong area of Shanghai, China.
PuDong is a very different place from where we were for the fencing tournament. This place I am staying in is a newer area that was developed about fifteen years ago. Apparently it was a bunch of ranches with oranges before it changed into a very upscale part of town-think the upper east side of Manhattan. On one side of the river the streets are narrow, crowded, and dirty. On the PuDong side the roads are bigger, everyone is dressed much differently, and everything is so clean and new. Many Chinese and other foreign nationals have moved into the area including my Aunt Cecilia.
The amazing thing is my Aunt Cecilia is Chinese but she isn’t related to my mother. She is the reason why my mother and my father ended up together. Aunt Cecilia and my mother worked together as nurses in a Berlin hospital in the sixties. My Aunt was dating my uncle and then she introduced my Mother to my Uncle’s brother-my father, and the rest is history. It’s a pretty amazing family tree.
The apartment that she has in PuDong is short of amazing. Actually, it isn’t short of amazing, it’s pretty lush for sure. She designed every inch of the apartment including the “Japanese room” complete with a table that winds up out of the floor for Mah Jong.You have to see it to believe it.
The best part of staying in this apartment is my Aunt. This woman is a tour de force. She is nearly seventy and there are no signs of slowing down. In fact, there are no signs of her being seventy, a lot of the team thought she was in her fifties.
My Aunt has impressed the entire fencing team by taking us to various markets here and bargaining her way to $10 designer jean knock-offs. At the beginning of the shopping day she said, “you choose what you want and I will do the rest” and that she did. I can’t believe it but she was such a good bargainer that it took four people at the store just to bargain with her and not only that she has a reputation at the market for being a “clever bargainer”. I couldn’t believe it. I think she brought some of these store owners to tears. One guy didn’t even try to bargain with her because he saw what she did in the store next door to him.
My aunt commands an audience and people stop and listen to her everywhere we go. She said she has always been really good with groups and for some reason people listen to her. I think there is definitely a charismatic way about her or perhaps it’s the face she gives when she tells you to do something-the face is something like a cross between a motherly concern and a I’m-going-to-make-you-do-this-no-matter-what face.
So, what does this have to do with fencing and why am I putting this on the blog? I think it is truly significant that she has dropped into my life at this time. I haven’t seen her in many many years and I think I can count on one hand the number of times we have seen each other in my life.
I need to inject some of her take no prisoners, take charge and go for it attitude when I fence. Last weekend in Shanghai I did really well the first day and during the second day of competition things didn’t go as well. For some reason I was nervous. I knew I could beat the French girl I was paired up with but I was still nervous and lost the bout by one touch.
I can’t see my Aunt Cecilia ever getting nervous in the face of competition. She faces things head on. She said to me in a cab ride home once that in her life she always decides what she wants and never asks questions. I think that’s an amazing attitude to have. She never goes with the flow and always goes her own way and it works because she trusts herself. I think that is the bottom line lesson I am supposed to learn from her this week-no matter what you have to trust yourself. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks or does, she does what she wants and never asks whether it’s the “right thing to do”. She absolutely has unwavering faith in herself.
I am certainly glad that I am catching up with her in Shanghai and that I have the opportunity to stay at her amazing place in PuDong, before heading off to Japan on Thursday. I wish all of you had an Aunt Cecilia in your life.
PuDong is a very different place from where we were for the fencing tournament. This place I am staying in is a newer area that was developed about fifteen years ago. Apparently it was a bunch of ranches with oranges before it changed into a very upscale part of town-think the upper east side of Manhattan. On one side of the river the streets are narrow, crowded, and dirty. On the PuDong side the roads are bigger, everyone is dressed much differently, and everything is so clean and new. Many Chinese and other foreign nationals have moved into the area including my Aunt Cecilia.
The amazing thing is my Aunt Cecilia is Chinese but she isn’t related to my mother. She is the reason why my mother and my father ended up together. Aunt Cecilia and my mother worked together as nurses in a Berlin hospital in the sixties. My Aunt was dating my uncle and then she introduced my Mother to my Uncle’s brother-my father, and the rest is history. It’s a pretty amazing family tree.
The apartment that she has in PuDong is short of amazing. Actually, it isn’t short of amazing, it’s pretty lush for sure. She designed every inch of the apartment including the “Japanese room” complete with a table that winds up out of the floor for Mah Jong.You have to see it to believe it.
The best part of staying in this apartment is my Aunt. This woman is a tour de force. She is nearly seventy and there are no signs of slowing down. In fact, there are no signs of her being seventy, a lot of the team thought she was in her fifties.
My Aunt has impressed the entire fencing team by taking us to various markets here and bargaining her way to $10 designer jean knock-offs. At the beginning of the shopping day she said, “you choose what you want and I will do the rest” and that she did. I can’t believe it but she was such a good bargainer that it took four people at the store just to bargain with her and not only that she has a reputation at the market for being a “clever bargainer”. I couldn’t believe it. I think she brought some of these store owners to tears. One guy didn’t even try to bargain with her because he saw what she did in the store next door to him.
My aunt commands an audience and people stop and listen to her everywhere we go. She said she has always been really good with groups and for some reason people listen to her. I think there is definitely a charismatic way about her or perhaps it’s the face she gives when she tells you to do something-the face is something like a cross between a motherly concern and a I’m-going-to-make-you-do-this-no-matter-what face.
So, what does this have to do with fencing and why am I putting this on the blog? I think it is truly significant that she has dropped into my life at this time. I haven’t seen her in many many years and I think I can count on one hand the number of times we have seen each other in my life.
I need to inject some of her take no prisoners, take charge and go for it attitude when I fence. Last weekend in Shanghai I did really well the first day and during the second day of competition things didn’t go as well. For some reason I was nervous. I knew I could beat the French girl I was paired up with but I was still nervous and lost the bout by one touch.
I can’t see my Aunt Cecilia ever getting nervous in the face of competition. She faces things head on. She said to me in a cab ride home once that in her life she always decides what she wants and never asks questions. I think that’s an amazing attitude to have. She never goes with the flow and always goes her own way and it works because she trusts herself. I think that is the bottom line lesson I am supposed to learn from her this week-no matter what you have to trust yourself. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks or does, she does what she wants and never asks whether it’s the “right thing to do”. She absolutely has unwavering faith in herself.
I am certainly glad that I am catching up with her in Shanghai and that I have the opportunity to stay at her amazing place in PuDong, before heading off to Japan on Thursday. I wish all of you had an Aunt Cecilia in your life.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Cultural differences-Korea Day 6
This morning after a breakfast of seaweed and rice (they have toast here too but I actually liked the seaweed) I decided to get a workout in at the hotel health club.
The workout wasn't the problem-the gym was actually pretty good and everyone was seriously into their exercising. It was when I tried to check out the sauna that everything became a cultural faux pas on my part.
My first mistake was entering into the sauna/steam room/whirlpool area in a bathrobe. It is definitely an American thing to make sure you're covered in all the right places but in Korea, in this circumstance, everyone was buck naked. So, I took off the robe. When in Seoul.
Second mistake. In Korea they have three different types of "whirlpools"-one is cold, one is very hot, and the other one is bubbly and warm. I opted for the bubbly and warm one and just jumped right in. WRONG. After observing some of my naked friends, they took buckets of water, splashed themselves with the water and didn't get in. I got a very nasty look-I think I contaminated their water.
Third mistake. Don't stare. There was an area where you could take a shower but it wasn't a stand up shower. There were a few stations equipped with a shower nozzle, mirror, and shelf. In order to shower you had to squat onto a plastic seat, facing the mirror and then hand hold the shower nozzle. Each station looked like some short version of a vanity that you would use to put make up on, except for you were naked and showering with someone right next to you. I guess I shouldn't be staring but I would definitely have to work up to something like that. What can I say, I'm American-I like wearing a robe and leaving something to the imagination.
Regardless of all my cultural mistakes, I was able to get in a good sauna and an accidental whirlpool. It felt great after my morning workout and before afternoon practice.
I have one more day in Korea and then it's off to Shanghai for the next world cup. It's about time since I think I've eaten my quota of kim chi.
The workout wasn't the problem-the gym was actually pretty good and everyone was seriously into their exercising. It was when I tried to check out the sauna that everything became a cultural faux pas on my part.
My first mistake was entering into the sauna/steam room/whirlpool area in a bathrobe. It is definitely an American thing to make sure you're covered in all the right places but in Korea, in this circumstance, everyone was buck naked. So, I took off the robe. When in Seoul.
Second mistake. In Korea they have three different types of "whirlpools"-one is cold, one is very hot, and the other one is bubbly and warm. I opted for the bubbly and warm one and just jumped right in. WRONG. After observing some of my naked friends, they took buckets of water, splashed themselves with the water and didn't get in. I got a very nasty look-I think I contaminated their water.
Third mistake. Don't stare. There was an area where you could take a shower but it wasn't a stand up shower. There were a few stations equipped with a shower nozzle, mirror, and shelf. In order to shower you had to squat onto a plastic seat, facing the mirror and then hand hold the shower nozzle. Each station looked like some short version of a vanity that you would use to put make up on, except for you were naked and showering with someone right next to you. I guess I shouldn't be staring but I would definitely have to work up to something like that. What can I say, I'm American-I like wearing a robe and leaving something to the imagination.
Regardless of all my cultural mistakes, I was able to get in a good sauna and an accidental whirlpool. It felt great after my morning workout and before afternoon practice.
I have one more day in Korea and then it's off to Shanghai for the next world cup. It's about time since I think I've eaten my quota of kim chi.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Everything is in Korean
Long time no post. This post is going to be a bit interesting since all of the buttons and commands on the computer are all in Korean. I am in for a challenge-I just hope I press the "post" button instead of the "erase" button at the end.
I fenced in the first Olympic qualifier event this weekend in Seoul, Korea. I ended up 24th overall and the team took 9th. I am very proud of the USA team since we almost beat Hungary in overtime and Hungary ended up taking 2nd in the competition. Our team is a threat to everyone and we have beaten all the top level teams in one event or another.
As for the individual event I made some great strides personally and mentally. For one, I broke into the top-32 brackets which has been elusive since the first world cup in Austria in February. I drew a tough person in the second round and my Romanian opponent ended up taking third (she only ended up losing to the person that won the competition). We were tied going into the third round and two crucial mistakes made the difference between winning and losing for me.
The team is staying in Korea for the week to train until we leave for Shanghai, the site of our next world cup on this asian tour.
Apologies for not blogging a lot but it's difficult to get everything out on the interweb with limited access to the internet and limited time. During the down moments, when I am not practicing and competing, I like to spend time away from fencing. It helps to refresh me for the next steps if I take the time to do something else besides fencing, even if it is thinking about the clouds in the sky or the kim chi I am going to eat this week.
Have a great week everyone!
I fenced in the first Olympic qualifier event this weekend in Seoul, Korea. I ended up 24th overall and the team took 9th. I am very proud of the USA team since we almost beat Hungary in overtime and Hungary ended up taking 2nd in the competition. Our team is a threat to everyone and we have beaten all the top level teams in one event or another.
As for the individual event I made some great strides personally and mentally. For one, I broke into the top-32 brackets which has been elusive since the first world cup in Austria in February. I drew a tough person in the second round and my Romanian opponent ended up taking third (she only ended up losing to the person that won the competition). We were tied going into the third round and two crucial mistakes made the difference between winning and losing for me.
The team is staying in Korea for the week to train until we leave for Shanghai, the site of our next world cup on this asian tour.
Apologies for not blogging a lot but it's difficult to get everything out on the interweb with limited access to the internet and limited time. During the down moments, when I am not practicing and competing, I like to spend time away from fencing. It helps to refresh me for the next steps if I take the time to do something else besides fencing, even if it is thinking about the clouds in the sky or the kim chi I am going to eat this week.
Have a great week everyone!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Feelin' lucky
I received a check in the mail today from the Greater Rochester Amateur Foundation, and it turns out that a few people have donated to me after reading an article in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. I am not sure why I am surprised but I just didn't expect people to respond.
In addition to receiving some donations, I also received a few letters that encouraged me to follow my dreams. I think that the letters come at a very important time.
Next week officially starts the Olympic trials. The tournaments from now until April 2008 count towards Beijing-starting with Seoul, Korea a week from today.
When I spoke with my sport's psychologist this past week she told me that she hears a sense of calm in my voice that she's never heard before. I think part of that is due to last week's not so stellar performance in Tucson. There was a moment in my last match where I panicked. I had underestimated my opponent, she pulled ahead a bit and then I panicked. Right after the match I was stunned and couldn't understand where that panic came from but I definitely believe that we learn our biggest lessons with our biggest defeats.
After the tournament I stepped back to evaluate the tournament and I realized that the panic came because I was afraid to lose. The bottomline is that you cannot put everything into the fight, into each match, each touch, each competition, every practice, unless you are free of fear. Fear of losing, fear of other's people's perceptions, fear of not doing the right thing. The person who ends up winning isn't always the person who does everything perfectly but it is the person who wants it the most. If we are truly determined (and almost desparately determined) to reach a goal we don't experience the fear-we don't have time to bring fear into consideration.
The best part of competition is that it heightens stress and emotions to the point that it brings out the very best and the very worse of what you are feeling internally. In Tucson, I was not at my best but afterwards I made a pact with myself to finally rid myself the fear of losing. There isn't time for that if I am completely and utterly focused on making the team.
I have to admit that there was part of me, when this journey started, that wanted to hold myself back. In a way I was trying to protect myself after having fallen short of making the 2004 Olympic team. But now I have truly realized that I can't continue this and achieve the goals I have set out unless I put everything into this-blood, sweat, tears, heart, soul, everything. To the outside observer this may seem a bit extreme but this is also the reason that not everyone makes an Olympic team. It's also the reason that people are in awe of Olympians because of their determination and sacrifice to achieve a goal. So, who wants it most?
The answer is me.
In addition to receiving some donations, I also received a few letters that encouraged me to follow my dreams. I think that the letters come at a very important time.
Next week officially starts the Olympic trials. The tournaments from now until April 2008 count towards Beijing-starting with Seoul, Korea a week from today.
When I spoke with my sport's psychologist this past week she told me that she hears a sense of calm in my voice that she's never heard before. I think part of that is due to last week's not so stellar performance in Tucson. There was a moment in my last match where I panicked. I had underestimated my opponent, she pulled ahead a bit and then I panicked. Right after the match I was stunned and couldn't understand where that panic came from but I definitely believe that we learn our biggest lessons with our biggest defeats.
After the tournament I stepped back to evaluate the tournament and I realized that the panic came because I was afraid to lose. The bottomline is that you cannot put everything into the fight, into each match, each touch, each competition, every practice, unless you are free of fear. Fear of losing, fear of other's people's perceptions, fear of not doing the right thing. The person who ends up winning isn't always the person who does everything perfectly but it is the person who wants it the most. If we are truly determined (and almost desparately determined) to reach a goal we don't experience the fear-we don't have time to bring fear into consideration.
The best part of competition is that it heightens stress and emotions to the point that it brings out the very best and the very worse of what you are feeling internally. In Tucson, I was not at my best but afterwards I made a pact with myself to finally rid myself the fear of losing. There isn't time for that if I am completely and utterly focused on making the team.
I have to admit that there was part of me, when this journey started, that wanted to hold myself back. In a way I was trying to protect myself after having fallen short of making the 2004 Olympic team. But now I have truly realized that I can't continue this and achieve the goals I have set out unless I put everything into this-blood, sweat, tears, heart, soul, everything. To the outside observer this may seem a bit extreme but this is also the reason that not everyone makes an Olympic team. It's also the reason that people are in awe of Olympians because of their determination and sacrifice to achieve a goal. So, who wants it most?
The answer is me.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
quick update
Sorry for being so delayed in getting results to you. I am busy getting ready for the next set of tournaments coming up. My schedule is the following:
Wed-Fri fence at Penn State (just practice)
Saturday leave for San Francisco
Tuesday leave for Seoul, Korea
As you can see, the next week or so is kind of crazy and I am trying to prepare.
In Tucson I took 7th. Not my best result but I have many thoughts about it. It's a good thing that the tournament doesn't count for much.
I have much to talk about in the next blog.
Wed-Fri fence at Penn State (just practice)
Saturday leave for San Francisco
Tuesday leave for Seoul, Korea
As you can see, the next week or so is kind of crazy and I am trying to prepare.
In Tucson I took 7th. Not my best result but I have many thoughts about it. It's a good thing that the tournament doesn't count for much.
I have much to talk about in the next blog.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Just a few short notes
I am leaving for Tucson on Friday for the next national fencing event. The Division I women's foil event is on Saturday morning-I am not sure who came up with the 7-8am registration and 8:30am start time.
There will be much to report on Sunday when I get home.
A group of friends from the political campaign and Stanford are helping me put together a fundraiser in Palo Alto at the end of May. For now the info is as follows:
What: BBQ Fundraiser for Olympian and 2008 Olympic Hopeful Iris Zimmermann
When: May 25th afternoon (exact time TBD)
Where: Palo Alto (exact location TBD)
Entry: $20 donation
More information as it comes in.
And last but not least....
BLADES OF GLORY
Sounds like it should be a title for a cheesy fencing movie. Instead, it's the title of the new Will Ferrell flick that I saw this evening. (Going to the movies is part of the "relax before the tournament" plan).
There were a couple of funny scenes but the most hilarious part is how much I felt like I could relate to the premise of this silly movie. I laughed out loud when I realized this movie was about two top skaters coming back to the sport with different mindsets after a three year hiatus. Kind of makes me feel my story has been written before...
If you want to read more about the movie click here.
There will be much to report on Sunday when I get home.
A group of friends from the political campaign and Stanford are helping me put together a fundraiser in Palo Alto at the end of May. For now the info is as follows:
What: BBQ Fundraiser for Olympian and 2008 Olympic Hopeful Iris Zimmermann
When: May 25th afternoon (exact time TBD)
Where: Palo Alto (exact location TBD)
Entry: $20 donation
More information as it comes in.
And last but not least....
BLADES OF GLORY
Sounds like it should be a title for a cheesy fencing movie. Instead, it's the title of the new Will Ferrell flick that I saw this evening. (Going to the movies is part of the "relax before the tournament" plan).
There were a couple of funny scenes but the most hilarious part is how much I felt like I could relate to the premise of this silly movie. I laughed out loud when I realized this movie was about two top skaters coming back to the sport with different mindsets after a three year hiatus. Kind of makes me feel my story has been written before...
If you want to read more about the movie click here.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Recently published articles
Prepare for preparation to prepare
After twenty years of fencing I definitely know how to prepare for a competition, but....
I have to admit that the concept of tapering or "reduced training during the time frame directly preceding an athletic event" has always alluded me. I am not sure if I know how to reduce the amount of workload-I love to train and workout.
Many studies have been done on how much time an athlete should spend working out and physically preparing for a competition. Most of the studies that are done are sports specific or more specific to endurance competitions.
Take for example a marathon runner-since the Boston marathon was just completed. (By the way, what's with the female astronaut running for four hours along with the marathon? Let's talk about overachieving.) A lot about the marathon isn't a mystery-you know exactly how much time it takes to win, you know the track, you know what you feel like when you run long distances, you know how fast and how far you need to run each day leading up to the competition. I bet other long endurance races are similar in that there aren't a ton of mysteries about the race and therefore you can plan your training regimen right up until race day.
However, for sports like fencing where there are a lot of unpredictable factors during competition. The known entities for the fencer are the start time and the weapon they fence, but beyond that there aren't too many certainties about length of competition, who you are going to compete against, and what type of conditions exist at the fencing venue. The most important factor that takes a lot of time and experience for a fencer to figure out is how much should I, personally, train up until the tournament? The Japanese team does footwork in the hallways of the hotel before a world cup and one of my teammates does next to nothing a week before competition. They both do reasonably similar.
From my own twenty years of experience, the week before a competition isn't crucial for learning new things, let alone doing footwork in the hallway of a hotel. To me these types of things are like cramming for a test, it doesn't do anything but make you more nervous. For me, the week before a competition is crucial for mental preparation-of course you can't stop working out altogether, but your mind is the most important factor. If you don't feel like you have the right state of mind going into the competition it may be hard to pull yourself into a positive "in the zone" state once you are in the competition. (Although I have done that in the past as well.)
Again, it's not always easy to gauge exactly what you need before the competition to create a sense of readiness and sometimes you have to just rely on feeling. When I was younger I used to get so stressed out that I would often break down in tears at practice prior to the competition. Before I won cadet world championships at the age of 14, I spent one night after practice crying and sitting by my locker with my teammate Suzie Paxton. And although I don't remember this, Nat told me that I would often take Pepto Bismol before each competition-I must have blocked out that memory.
First of all I am too old to break down in tears anymore and there are better ways to handle mentally preparing for a competition besides breaking down. After working with a sports psychologist for the past few months and experiencing fencing as a "new me", I have come up with a few ways to put myself in a positive state of mind. It's important for me to feel happy and ready for the upcoming challenge. In other words, the more I look forward to being there, the better prepared I feel. This is not an easy concept for me since I was always filled with such dread before each competition-what if I don't win, what if I don't perform or do the right things, what if, what if.
The thing about veteran athletes is that they don't believe in the what if's and the second guessing. They just believe in themselves and aren't afraid to face competition and any of the uncertainties that come with it. Casey once told me something along the lines of, "At competition all the work is done and all that is left is to let yourself enjoy the experience."
So, here is to enjoying the experience and taking some time to rest/relax and blog.
An aside:
By now I am sure that everyone has been inundated by stories about the senseless acts that happened at Virginia Tech yesterday morning. I would like to send out my condolences to the students, staff, family, and friends of the students of the University who had to experience this tragedy.
I have to admit that the concept of tapering or "reduced training during the time frame directly preceding an athletic event" has always alluded me. I am not sure if I know how to reduce the amount of workload-I love to train and workout.
Many studies have been done on how much time an athlete should spend working out and physically preparing for a competition. Most of the studies that are done are sports specific or more specific to endurance competitions.
Take for example a marathon runner-since the Boston marathon was just completed. (By the way, what's with the female astronaut running for four hours along with the marathon? Let's talk about overachieving.) A lot about the marathon isn't a mystery-you know exactly how much time it takes to win, you know the track, you know what you feel like when you run long distances, you know how fast and how far you need to run each day leading up to the competition. I bet other long endurance races are similar in that there aren't a ton of mysteries about the race and therefore you can plan your training regimen right up until race day.
However, for sports like fencing where there are a lot of unpredictable factors during competition. The known entities for the fencer are the start time and the weapon they fence, but beyond that there aren't too many certainties about length of competition, who you are going to compete against, and what type of conditions exist at the fencing venue. The most important factor that takes a lot of time and experience for a fencer to figure out is how much should I, personally, train up until the tournament? The Japanese team does footwork in the hallways of the hotel before a world cup and one of my teammates does next to nothing a week before competition. They both do reasonably similar.
From my own twenty years of experience, the week before a competition isn't crucial for learning new things, let alone doing footwork in the hallway of a hotel. To me these types of things are like cramming for a test, it doesn't do anything but make you more nervous. For me, the week before a competition is crucial for mental preparation-of course you can't stop working out altogether, but your mind is the most important factor. If you don't feel like you have the right state of mind going into the competition it may be hard to pull yourself into a positive "in the zone" state once you are in the competition. (Although I have done that in the past as well.)
Again, it's not always easy to gauge exactly what you need before the competition to create a sense of readiness and sometimes you have to just rely on feeling. When I was younger I used to get so stressed out that I would often break down in tears at practice prior to the competition. Before I won cadet world championships at the age of 14, I spent one night after practice crying and sitting by my locker with my teammate Suzie Paxton. And although I don't remember this, Nat told me that I would often take Pepto Bismol before each competition-I must have blocked out that memory.
First of all I am too old to break down in tears anymore and there are better ways to handle mentally preparing for a competition besides breaking down. After working with a sports psychologist for the past few months and experiencing fencing as a "new me", I have come up with a few ways to put myself in a positive state of mind. It's important for me to feel happy and ready for the upcoming challenge. In other words, the more I look forward to being there, the better prepared I feel. This is not an easy concept for me since I was always filled with such dread before each competition-what if I don't win, what if I don't perform or do the right things, what if, what if.
The thing about veteran athletes is that they don't believe in the what if's and the second guessing. They just believe in themselves and aren't afraid to face competition and any of the uncertainties that come with it. Casey once told me something along the lines of, "At competition all the work is done and all that is left is to let yourself enjoy the experience."
So, here is to enjoying the experience and taking some time to rest/relax and blog.
An aside:
By now I am sure that everyone has been inundated by stories about the senseless acts that happened at Virginia Tech yesterday morning. I would like to send out my condolences to the students, staff, family, and friends of the students of the University who had to experience this tragedy.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
the downside
There aren't many downsides to training for the Olympics but I am definitely in the middle of a downside this weekend-or more appropriately April 16th, tax day.
Unfortunately, the life of an elite athlete in a sport that doesn't involve a ball being thrown around is not a lucrative one. The USOC grants are wonderful until tax day because taxes aren't taken out of the grant until the day you pay taxes and the amount that you are given do not cover the costs of the taxes you have to pay. It's quite the catch-22. The upside, the USFA just provided a results grant to the women's foil team for about $1,000, but I can't cash in because the fencing assocation is having cash flow problems. Hmmm....
This money complaint is fast becoming my new favorite country song, I just need a truck and a dog. Someone recently wrote a check to me through GRAAF, but it turns out the guy who writes the checks at the non-profit has been "out" for about a month. I don't know where he is but I can't even leave him a message on his machine anymore because it's full.
Shall I go on? How about, I feel as though while I am training for the Olympics I feel extremely pressured by all the money I owe for medical bills, taxes, and other bills. I think April 16th is a rough day for everyone but just know that it isn't any easier for an Olympian. I can't tell you how many bills I have stacking up in the corner for medical expenses from x-rays to the cast that was on my hand a few months ago. The US Fencing Association was supposed to pick up the tab for that but their insurance company told me I have a $500 deductible-which means they are only responsible for $200 of the total bill. Great, thanks.
I am not really looking for sympathy so much as a solution. Hopefully I will come through with something before I mail those thick tax return envelopes on Monday.
Good luck to everyone else this tax season.
Unfortunately, the life of an elite athlete in a sport that doesn't involve a ball being thrown around is not a lucrative one. The USOC grants are wonderful until tax day because taxes aren't taken out of the grant until the day you pay taxes and the amount that you are given do not cover the costs of the taxes you have to pay. It's quite the catch-22. The upside, the USFA just provided a results grant to the women's foil team for about $1,000, but I can't cash in because the fencing assocation is having cash flow problems. Hmmm....
This money complaint is fast becoming my new favorite country song, I just need a truck and a dog. Someone recently wrote a check to me through GRAAF, but it turns out the guy who writes the checks at the non-profit has been "out" for about a month. I don't know where he is but I can't even leave him a message on his machine anymore because it's full.
Shall I go on? How about, I feel as though while I am training for the Olympics I feel extremely pressured by all the money I owe for medical bills, taxes, and other bills. I think April 16th is a rough day for everyone but just know that it isn't any easier for an Olympian. I can't tell you how many bills I have stacking up in the corner for medical expenses from x-rays to the cast that was on my hand a few months ago. The US Fencing Association was supposed to pick up the tab for that but their insurance company told me I have a $500 deductible-which means they are only responsible for $200 of the total bill. Great, thanks.
I am not really looking for sympathy so much as a solution. Hopefully I will come through with something before I mail those thick tax return envelopes on Monday.
Good luck to everyone else this tax season.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Relax?
Today I went to the doctor for my annual physical. I believe I passed with flying colors. She asked me several questions about my health, do I smoke, do I drink, etc. Of course I said no and then she came to the question, do you do physical exercise on a regular basis? She then paused, looked at me, and we both laughed out loud. I guess that's a yes, she said.
And that wasn't even the funniest part of the whole exam (you can find laughter in anything, especially when you're wearing a hospital gown). The doc sat me at the end of the table and then proceeded to do the reflex test. You know the test, the one where they take a triangular rubber thing attached to the end of a stick and they hit various places to produce a reflex. I haven't failed at many things in my life but this is one instance where I never produce a reflex.
I don't think she has ever done this test on me so she was puzzled when she didn't get a reaction. She tried the other knee, then my elbow, then my wrist, and then furrowed her brow.
The doc: Relax, Iris.
Me: I am relaxed (I'm sort of nervous and shouting-yeah right I'm relaxed).
The doc: Um, well, we should talk.
Me: (Nervously-of course I am nervous, I am in a hospital gown) About what?
Doc: So, what do you do for fun?
Me: I don't know. (Should I have a good answer for this?)
Doc: You don't know? Do you do something other than fencing that is just something you do for you know, F-U-N?
Me: Fencing is the fun?
Doc: You know what relaxation is? Don't you?
Me: Sure I know what it is. I started playing piano a few months ago, but I was starting to get frustrated that I couldn't practice more often to play the songs more fluidly. It was stressful. Oh yeah, and when I was living in California I used to do bollywood dancing for fun. Yeah, they fitted me for an outfit the first day and when I couldn't get the steps after a few weeks, I quit. It was stressful.
Now that the conversation is written out I understand why my doctor responded with pure and deep laughter. I mean, the laughter just came from her toes to her stomach and out her mouth as a loud raucous laugh. This laughter wasn't really about picturing me doing bollywood dancing, but this laughter was about my inability to feel relaxed.
This got me thinking. The reality is that I wake up each day with the Olympics on my mind and questions for myself-am I doing enough? Will I win the next competition? If I do more of x will this help me become the best fencer? Did I get enough sleep? Should I eat more, should I eat less? You should hear these crazy conversations and questions I ask myself each day all for the sake of being the best I can be as a fencer.
At some point I accepted these questions because this is my life and didn't see it as stress but just part of an everyday routine. However, sometimes without realizing, the questioning and the drive to excel can become overwhelming. I really think there is something to be said about rejuvenating the mind, body, and soul through doing things just for the sake of doing things.
This isn't to say that I am stressed out, but I think it's important to acknowledge that rest can sometimes do more good than getting back on that treadmill for an hour. Sometimes the mind just needs a day off. Which I ended up doing today thanks to the doctor. I called up some friends and just hung out, talked about nothing in particular, and enjoyed a nice tall glass of milk and chocolate cake (it's on the diet...not really...but it was so good and felt relaxing).
In the long term relaxation plan I'm thinking about taking up pottery, painting, or some form of artwork when the season is over because I know that I am hands down the worst artist out there. Maybe knowing that I will never be good at it may be an effective way to find something that I won't try and overachieve at. If you ever met an Olympian, you will know that they never want to lose at anything so finding something to just do for the sake of doing is a little difficult.
So, that being said about me, what have you done to relax today? This week? This month? (Don't make me ask this year.) If nothing else you can try my doctor's prescription, just take a deep breath. Take as needed.
And that wasn't even the funniest part of the whole exam (you can find laughter in anything, especially when you're wearing a hospital gown). The doc sat me at the end of the table and then proceeded to do the reflex test. You know the test, the one where they take a triangular rubber thing attached to the end of a stick and they hit various places to produce a reflex. I haven't failed at many things in my life but this is one instance where I never produce a reflex.
I don't think she has ever done this test on me so she was puzzled when she didn't get a reaction. She tried the other knee, then my elbow, then my wrist, and then furrowed her brow.
The doc: Relax, Iris.
Me: I am relaxed (I'm sort of nervous and shouting-yeah right I'm relaxed).
The doc: Um, well, we should talk.
Me: (Nervously-of course I am nervous, I am in a hospital gown) About what?
Doc: So, what do you do for fun?
Me: I don't know. (Should I have a good answer for this?)
Doc: You don't know? Do you do something other than fencing that is just something you do for you know, F-U-N?
Me: Fencing is the fun?
Doc: You know what relaxation is? Don't you?
Me: Sure I know what it is. I started playing piano a few months ago, but I was starting to get frustrated that I couldn't practice more often to play the songs more fluidly. It was stressful. Oh yeah, and when I was living in California I used to do bollywood dancing for fun. Yeah, they fitted me for an outfit the first day and when I couldn't get the steps after a few weeks, I quit. It was stressful.
Now that the conversation is written out I understand why my doctor responded with pure and deep laughter. I mean, the laughter just came from her toes to her stomach and out her mouth as a loud raucous laugh. This laughter wasn't really about picturing me doing bollywood dancing, but this laughter was about my inability to feel relaxed.
This got me thinking. The reality is that I wake up each day with the Olympics on my mind and questions for myself-am I doing enough? Will I win the next competition? If I do more of x will this help me become the best fencer? Did I get enough sleep? Should I eat more, should I eat less? You should hear these crazy conversations and questions I ask myself each day all for the sake of being the best I can be as a fencer.
At some point I accepted these questions because this is my life and didn't see it as stress but just part of an everyday routine. However, sometimes without realizing, the questioning and the drive to excel can become overwhelming. I really think there is something to be said about rejuvenating the mind, body, and soul through doing things just for the sake of doing things.
This isn't to say that I am stressed out, but I think it's important to acknowledge that rest can sometimes do more good than getting back on that treadmill for an hour. Sometimes the mind just needs a day off. Which I ended up doing today thanks to the doctor. I called up some friends and just hung out, talked about nothing in particular, and enjoyed a nice tall glass of milk and chocolate cake (it's on the diet...not really...but it was so good and felt relaxing).
In the long term relaxation plan I'm thinking about taking up pottery, painting, or some form of artwork when the season is over because I know that I am hands down the worst artist out there. Maybe knowing that I will never be good at it may be an effective way to find something that I won't try and overachieve at. If you ever met an Olympian, you will know that they never want to lose at anything so finding something to just do for the sake of doing is a little difficult.
So, that being said about me, what have you done to relax today? This week? This month? (Don't make me ask this year.) If nothing else you can try my doctor's prescription, just take a deep breath. Take as needed.
Monday, April 09, 2007
New Arrival
Hanna Thompson, ranked second in the country and a teammate on the USA women's foil team, is moving to Rochester this week. She used to fence at RFC before she went to Ohio State for college. The funniest part of it all is that she started fencing, in part, because of me. Her older sister, Emmy, started fencing because we were classmates and heard that was something I did. Then, her younger twin sisters, Hanna and Metta, started fencing. And now look at her, training for the Olympic Games.
She and I will be training together for the Olympics with coach Nat. I am looking forward to having a training partner that is focused on the same things that I am focused on. It's nice for those days where motivation is a little lacking.
Welcome to Rochester, Hanna!
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter everyone! It's a fine Sunday morning at State College, PA with two inches of snow on the ground. I'm hoping for a quick turn around of the weather so I can make the 4 hour drive back to Rochester without an issue.
Quick story about the weekend. On Friday afternoon I drove down to Penn State to fence and visit with some of my friends. The fencing has been great and seeing my good friends after so long has been good for the soul. But there is one moment in particular on Friday that made me realize how far I've come with my fencing.
Friday's practice was a practice like any other. There was fencing, there was fun, there was learning, etc. Then, at the end of practice four of the guys decided that I needed a little challenge, a team of four of them would fence against team Iris Zimmermann. Yup, four against one and I am not sure at the moment they asked that I believed that I could actually make it to twenty touches.
The first fencer got up to fence me, I beat him 5-3.
The second fencer got up to fence me, I beat him 5-2 and the score is now team Iris 10 and the four man team 5.
The third fencer got up to fence me, I score only 1 to his 2 points but then time ran out. The score was now 11-6.
Then the final fencer, the anchor of their team, starts to fence me. And for some reason something clicked and I scored 9 points to make the win 20-7.
I couldn't believe it. When I walked off the strip I was in awe-how did I beat four guys at the end of practice? Granted-the guys that I fenced were not in their best shape and haven't been training like I have, but still. You would think that they would at least make it to 10.
Needless to say, I had my own Billie Jean King moment and loved every minute of it. Take that, boys.
Quick story about the weekend. On Friday afternoon I drove down to Penn State to fence and visit with some of my friends. The fencing has been great and seeing my good friends after so long has been good for the soul. But there is one moment in particular on Friday that made me realize how far I've come with my fencing.
Friday's practice was a practice like any other. There was fencing, there was fun, there was learning, etc. Then, at the end of practice four of the guys decided that I needed a little challenge, a team of four of them would fence against team Iris Zimmermann. Yup, four against one and I am not sure at the moment they asked that I believed that I could actually make it to twenty touches.
The first fencer got up to fence me, I beat him 5-3.
The second fencer got up to fence me, I beat him 5-2 and the score is now team Iris 10 and the four man team 5.
The third fencer got up to fence me, I score only 1 to his 2 points but then time ran out. The score was now 11-6.
Then the final fencer, the anchor of their team, starts to fence me. And for some reason something clicked and I scored 9 points to make the win 20-7.
I couldn't believe it. When I walked off the strip I was in awe-how did I beat four guys at the end of practice? Granted-the guys that I fenced were not in their best shape and haven't been training like I have, but still. You would think that they would at least make it to 10.
Needless to say, I had my own Billie Jean King moment and loved every minute of it. Take that, boys.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Just kidding
The thing about Rochester is-although the life here is pretty predictable, the weather is not. No sooner did I title my last blog entry "Springtime", that a cold front hit with snow flurries hit the east coast. I even tried to disguise my entry by making the title French, but the snow gods of Rochester decided that I needed an instant replay of winter.
But despite the weather, I am still in great spirits. When I see the snow on my car and as my car slips on the wet pavement, I think of the sun and how glorious it will be when it finally comes out.
Enough about the weather and more about fencing because after all, isn't fencing what this is all about?
Okay, a short but amusing fencing story by Iris Zimmermann.
Once upon a time Iris was 16 years old (not that long ago so no one should be stretching the imagination too much-oh wait, does ten years ago qualify as a short time?). I used to train so much and work so hard that one of my teammates, Ann, decided to get me a No Fear t-shirt. Don't you remember those popular t-shirts with sport related phrases and quotes?
The No Fear shirt I was given, was grey and on the back was the following:
"I'm YOUNGER, FASTER, STRONGER and I practice while you sleep."
I used to wear this shirt with pride because the woman who gave it to me was someone I truly admired. Ann has made three Olympic teams from Barcelona, to Atlanta, and finally Sydney. While she was training for these games she managed to find time to 1. graduate from Columbia and 2. graduate from the University of Rochester Medical School. Yeah, they should make a t-shirt for her too.
"I am an Olympian, Ivy League graduate, and doctor. Come talk to me when you pick your jaw off the floor."
Well, the t-shirt was awesome and I wore it all the time. It inspired me and scared some of my opponents. In fact, the team at the Rochester Fencing Club would on some occasions recite the t-shirt to me. Why? Because it was true. I would practice until the cows came home. I was younger, I was faster, and I was always stronger.
Fast forward three knee surgeries, a degree from Stanford, and two years of retirement and trying to make the Beijing Olympic team later....
The t-shirt went missing for several years while I was in California but a month ago I found it once again. What do you think? A wonderful omen, a reminder of the past, what?
At first I thought to myself, what do I do with the line "younger" since I'm one of the oldest on the USA team and at the RFC? Seriously? Can I walk around with this t-shirt? I mean, some of the kids at the fencing club don't even know what a No Fear t-shirt is let alone the fact that some of them were born in the same year I wore it.
Then I thought, I am still the same person that wore this thing ten years ago, and I am still a great fencer. So what if there needs to be asterisks by each claim on the back?
I'm
Younger*
Faster**
Sronger***
and I practice while you sleep****
*Although this no longer applies, 26 isn't that old!
**Three knee surgeries may have slowed me down a bit but it was actually a good thing for my fencing tactics.
***Now I have strength of mind as well as strength of body.
****Haven't you ever heard of, "practice smarter, not harder"? It's my new mantra.
The t-shirt is back and so am I, perhaps a more thoughtful and wiser version. I'm glad I found the thing because most of all it reminds me of the great times I had training with some very incredible people.
But despite the weather, I am still in great spirits. When I see the snow on my car and as my car slips on the wet pavement, I think of the sun and how glorious it will be when it finally comes out.
Enough about the weather and more about fencing because after all, isn't fencing what this is all about?
Okay, a short but amusing fencing story by Iris Zimmermann.
Once upon a time Iris was 16 years old (not that long ago so no one should be stretching the imagination too much-oh wait, does ten years ago qualify as a short time?). I used to train so much and work so hard that one of my teammates, Ann, decided to get me a No Fear t-shirt. Don't you remember those popular t-shirts with sport related phrases and quotes?
The No Fear shirt I was given, was grey and on the back was the following:
"I'm YOUNGER, FASTER, STRONGER and I practice while you sleep."
I used to wear this shirt with pride because the woman who gave it to me was someone I truly admired. Ann has made three Olympic teams from Barcelona, to Atlanta, and finally Sydney. While she was training for these games she managed to find time to 1. graduate from Columbia and 2. graduate from the University of Rochester Medical School. Yeah, they should make a t-shirt for her too.
"I am an Olympian, Ivy League graduate, and doctor. Come talk to me when you pick your jaw off the floor."
Well, the t-shirt was awesome and I wore it all the time. It inspired me and scared some of my opponents. In fact, the team at the Rochester Fencing Club would on some occasions recite the t-shirt to me. Why? Because it was true. I would practice until the cows came home. I was younger, I was faster, and I was always stronger.
Fast forward three knee surgeries, a degree from Stanford, and two years of retirement and trying to make the Beijing Olympic team later....
The t-shirt went missing for several years while I was in California but a month ago I found it once again. What do you think? A wonderful omen, a reminder of the past, what?
At first I thought to myself, what do I do with the line "younger" since I'm one of the oldest on the USA team and at the RFC? Seriously? Can I walk around with this t-shirt? I mean, some of the kids at the fencing club don't even know what a No Fear t-shirt is let alone the fact that some of them were born in the same year I wore it.
Then I thought, I am still the same person that wore this thing ten years ago, and I am still a great fencer. So what if there needs to be asterisks by each claim on the back?
I'm
Younger*
Faster**
Sronger***
and I practice while you sleep****
*Although this no longer applies, 26 isn't that old!
**Three knee surgeries may have slowed me down a bit but it was actually a good thing for my fencing tactics.
***Now I have strength of mind as well as strength of body.
****Haven't you ever heard of, "practice smarter, not harder"? It's my new mantra.
The t-shirt is back and so am I, perhaps a more thoughtful and wiser version. I'm glad I found the thing because most of all it reminds me of the great times I had training with some very incredible people.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Printemps
What is it about the springtime, the warm weather, the sunny days, that bring such clarity of mind? The longer days also help to brighten up my mood because I don't feel like I need to roll up all the day's activities within the hours of 9-3pm.
I had a great practice tonight so I'm all smiles. This was my first practice back from the European tour and it went really well because I could tell that my fencing had jumped many levels in the last month. One of my teammates even complimented me on some new tactics and skills I learned.
For the first time I really felt in control of my fencing and didn't feel at any moment that I didn't have an answer for something my opponent was doing. Most of all my emotions were completely in check, and all my focus was on the task at hand-fencing each touch and fencing each bout. For the first time I was able to let things go around me and just focus. This is a big deal for someone that is so observant about the world around her. I woudl always worry about what this person is thinking of me, what is going on around me but at practice today, I was focused on me and my opponent, that was it.
Casey FitzRandolph, my speedskating mentor extraordinaire, would always tell me-do your best each and everyday whatever that may be. Ask yourself, "what is the best that Iris can be TODAY?" And today the statement finally sunk in.
As I sat in the locker room facing a sign where I wrote Casey's words, I felt like I was finally there. After months of struggling through changing my fencing style, trying to rid myself of past problems, breaking my finger (let us not forget that), and everything else I went through, I felt like I finally lived his words. Something has clicked inside me and I feel like I have truly become this new fencer. I'm no longer the old, no longer stuck in the past but I'm a hybrid-the past, present, and the hopeful future. I am finally letting myself be the best that I can be without second guessing myself.
It's hard to look back and admit to myself that, even at the start of the season, I wasn't ready for the challenge. Maybe physically but mentally I wasn't there yet, and still had to step into my new role on the team and my new role in the international world of fencing. But I do have to say that I feel renewed with more perspective and strength than I ever had. The best part is that there is more to come and more exciting things waiting to happen.
I am looking forward to getting more training in this month but I am most excited about my attitude. These past few days I have gotten up in the morning and just smiled at the thought that I would head to the gym or the fencing gym to work on the next few steps towards something great. My happiness has really come along and I am enjoying myself rather than worrying about what other people say or think and despite any of my doubts or negativity.
I had so much energy left over after practice that I just went to the gym and worked out for another hour just because I was feeling so great about practice. It may seem like a crazy thought but the gym has always been a fun place for me-my own place of zen. I guess in some ways it's better to think of the gym that way since I spend so much time there.
The lesson for today-Working on and maintaining a positive attitude can sometimes do more for progress than chipping away at the skill itself. I don't mean a positive attitude of just telling yourself that things are good, but actually feeling it mind, body, and soul-inside and out. Law of attraction. If I am positive that something is going to happen and if I am positive in general-I will draw more things that are positive in my direction. If I wake up each morning thankful that I have the time and skill to make the Olympic team-what can come from it but good?
I'm so happy that it's springtime-renewal, rebirth, and joy.
(Small disclaimer here. There is much work still to be done and not each day will feel as wonderful as today. The ups and downs are just the nature of things but at least I feel stronger to deal with them mentally and emotionally. Also, big steps were made last month and I wanted to acknowledge the hard work paying off.)
I had a great practice tonight so I'm all smiles. This was my first practice back from the European tour and it went really well because I could tell that my fencing had jumped many levels in the last month. One of my teammates even complimented me on some new tactics and skills I learned.
For the first time I really felt in control of my fencing and didn't feel at any moment that I didn't have an answer for something my opponent was doing. Most of all my emotions were completely in check, and all my focus was on the task at hand-fencing each touch and fencing each bout. For the first time I was able to let things go around me and just focus. This is a big deal for someone that is so observant about the world around her. I woudl always worry about what this person is thinking of me, what is going on around me but at practice today, I was focused on me and my opponent, that was it.
Casey FitzRandolph, my speedskating mentor extraordinaire, would always tell me-do your best each and everyday whatever that may be. Ask yourself, "what is the best that Iris can be TODAY?" And today the statement finally sunk in.
As I sat in the locker room facing a sign where I wrote Casey's words, I felt like I was finally there. After months of struggling through changing my fencing style, trying to rid myself of past problems, breaking my finger (let us not forget that), and everything else I went through, I felt like I finally lived his words. Something has clicked inside me and I feel like I have truly become this new fencer. I'm no longer the old, no longer stuck in the past but I'm a hybrid-the past, present, and the hopeful future. I am finally letting myself be the best that I can be without second guessing myself.
It's hard to look back and admit to myself that, even at the start of the season, I wasn't ready for the challenge. Maybe physically but mentally I wasn't there yet, and still had to step into my new role on the team and my new role in the international world of fencing. But I do have to say that I feel renewed with more perspective and strength than I ever had. The best part is that there is more to come and more exciting things waiting to happen.
I am looking forward to getting more training in this month but I am most excited about my attitude. These past few days I have gotten up in the morning and just smiled at the thought that I would head to the gym or the fencing gym to work on the next few steps towards something great. My happiness has really come along and I am enjoying myself rather than worrying about what other people say or think and despite any of my doubts or negativity.
I had so much energy left over after practice that I just went to the gym and worked out for another hour just because I was feeling so great about practice. It may seem like a crazy thought but the gym has always been a fun place for me-my own place of zen. I guess in some ways it's better to think of the gym that way since I spend so much time there.
The lesson for today-Working on and maintaining a positive attitude can sometimes do more for progress than chipping away at the skill itself. I don't mean a positive attitude of just telling yourself that things are good, but actually feeling it mind, body, and soul-inside and out. Law of attraction. If I am positive that something is going to happen and if I am positive in general-I will draw more things that are positive in my direction. If I wake up each morning thankful that I have the time and skill to make the Olympic team-what can come from it but good?
I'm so happy that it's springtime-renewal, rebirth, and joy.
(Small disclaimer here. There is much work still to be done and not each day will feel as wonderful as today. The ups and downs are just the nature of things but at least I feel stronger to deal with them mentally and emotionally. Also, big steps were made last month and I wanted to acknowledge the hard work paying off.)
Sunday, April 01, 2007
a conversation on the plane
A slight digression from the norm.
Everyone who knows me and knows this blog understands that I have a passion for discussing politics. I don't know, maybe it's from my father who always felt it necessary to listen to Rush Limbaugh because he was the opposition. I guess you always need to know what the other side is saying. I am just not sure how he puts up with all that crap? Apologies to anyone who is a Limbaugh fan.
Well, the reason I brought this up was because I was struck by a conversation I had with a German citizen on the plane from Madrid to Munich. For some reason we got to talking (I never really like meeting people on the plane, I much rather sleep) and he pulled out all the stops on what he hated about Americans.
Conversation went something like this:
German Guy: What were you doing in Spain? Were you on vacation?
Me: Actually, I was visiting a friend.
GG: Do you speak Spanish? Some Americans don't speak any languages and some of them speak some Spanish but overall, Americans try hard not to speak any languages.
Me: Yeah I guess so. I speak some languages and yes, I understand and can speak Spanish.
GG: Oh really? What languages do you speak?
Me: I can understand German, my father is German...
GG: You should really speak German, it's the most spoken language in the EU.
Me: (The obligatory) Oh really? That's interesting. I should probably speak German. (WHY IS HE TALKING TO ME? I'M TRAPPED IN THE STUPID MIDDLE SEAT AND I HAVEN'T SLEPT.)
GG: Your Dad is from Germany? Why is he living in the states, I bet he doesn't speak German anymore? Did you know that 40 percent of Americans claim German ancestry?
Me: (I'm not sure how many can claim Chinese and German heritage) Well, my parents moved to the states in the 1960's and at the time they felt that America had a lot of opportunities for their children. And, my father does still speak German and in fact he has a very thick accent so it's almost like he's speaking German when he's speaking English. (Desperately trying to get a laugh out of this guy.)
GG: Spain is probably the only place you have ever visited, right?
Me: (Now I am getting pissed but the reality is that there is another hour to the flight and I AM IN THE MIDDLE SEAT!) Well actually I've been to over 22 different countries...
GG: Probably like every other American, with a backpack and a Eur rail pass.
Me: Actually, I have been traveling to Europe and other countries since I was 14 years old. I am an Olympic fencer and I am currently training for the 2008 Games.
So, one would hope that after that he would shut up but he continued on his "well, you're American and you must be loud, obnoxious, rude, and think you own everything, and your shit doesn't stink, etc". Let's just say that it was a long flight from Madrid to Munich.
But the crazy thing is that I am less angry at this guy making assumptions about me than I am at the reasons he is going nuts about the states. The truth is that we as a nation have a bad rep right now and it isn't just this German guy. Everywhere I go I feel as though I have to apologize for carrying an American passport. On top of all that I find out more about the war in Iraq and the situation overseas on BBC and other European networks than I do at home.
I know this is a touchy subject but I think it's an important one to at least discuss. There has always been some hostility towards Americans while traveling but never have I experienced anything at this level of animosity. This is an important thing to consider since we may be doing some irreparable damage to our image. While we are busy fighting an enemy that hates us, we are simultaneously turning others against us.
Sorry for the digression but I couldn't resist my own two cents. It's my blog and I can get slightly political if I want to. ;)
Everyone who knows me and knows this blog understands that I have a passion for discussing politics. I don't know, maybe it's from my father who always felt it necessary to listen to Rush Limbaugh because he was the opposition. I guess you always need to know what the other side is saying. I am just not sure how he puts up with all that crap? Apologies to anyone who is a Limbaugh fan.
Well, the reason I brought this up was because I was struck by a conversation I had with a German citizen on the plane from Madrid to Munich. For some reason we got to talking (I never really like meeting people on the plane, I much rather sleep) and he pulled out all the stops on what he hated about Americans.
Conversation went something like this:
German Guy: What were you doing in Spain? Were you on vacation?
Me: Actually, I was visiting a friend.
GG: Do you speak Spanish? Some Americans don't speak any languages and some of them speak some Spanish but overall, Americans try hard not to speak any languages.
Me: Yeah I guess so. I speak some languages and yes, I understand and can speak Spanish.
GG: Oh really? What languages do you speak?
Me: I can understand German, my father is German...
GG: You should really speak German, it's the most spoken language in the EU.
Me: (The obligatory) Oh really? That's interesting. I should probably speak German. (WHY IS HE TALKING TO ME? I'M TRAPPED IN THE STUPID MIDDLE SEAT AND I HAVEN'T SLEPT.)
GG: Your Dad is from Germany? Why is he living in the states, I bet he doesn't speak German anymore? Did you know that 40 percent of Americans claim German ancestry?
Me: (I'm not sure how many can claim Chinese and German heritage) Well, my parents moved to the states in the 1960's and at the time they felt that America had a lot of opportunities for their children. And, my father does still speak German and in fact he has a very thick accent so it's almost like he's speaking German when he's speaking English. (Desperately trying to get a laugh out of this guy.)
GG: Spain is probably the only place you have ever visited, right?
Me: (Now I am getting pissed but the reality is that there is another hour to the flight and I AM IN THE MIDDLE SEAT!) Well actually I've been to over 22 different countries...
GG: Probably like every other American, with a backpack and a Eur rail pass.
Me: Actually, I have been traveling to Europe and other countries since I was 14 years old. I am an Olympic fencer and I am currently training for the 2008 Games.
So, one would hope that after that he would shut up but he continued on his "well, you're American and you must be loud, obnoxious, rude, and think you own everything, and your shit doesn't stink, etc". Let's just say that it was a long flight from Madrid to Munich.
But the crazy thing is that I am less angry at this guy making assumptions about me than I am at the reasons he is going nuts about the states. The truth is that we as a nation have a bad rep right now and it isn't just this German guy. Everywhere I go I feel as though I have to apologize for carrying an American passport. On top of all that I find out more about the war in Iraq and the situation overseas on BBC and other European networks than I do at home.
I know this is a touchy subject but I think it's an important one to at least discuss. There has always been some hostility towards Americans while traveling but never have I experienced anything at this level of animosity. This is an important thing to consider since we may be doing some irreparable damage to our image. While we are busy fighting an enemy that hates us, we are simultaneously turning others against us.
Sorry for the digression but I couldn't resist my own two cents. It's my blog and I can get slightly political if I want to. ;)
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