I came back from visiting my sister and the Olympic Training Center in Colorado just a few days ago. Tomorrow I am off to Rhode Island to run a fencing clinic at the Rhode Island Fencing Academy and Club. The coach was nice enough to invite me to teach a weekend clinic at his club in exchange for raising some money for my fencing season. There are good people out there.
The visit with my sister was great and I got a chance to realize how beautiful the state of Colorado is-or at least the trails I hiked and the lake I ran around in the morning. It's nice to move the workout from the gym to the outdoors-not to mention the benefit that the altitude adds to training.
There were many great things about the trip to Colorado but one of the highlights would have to be visiting the Olympic Training Center. Even though I'm one of the athletes that use the facility, I am still in awe of being in a place that lives and breathes the Olympics every day. Not to mention it's pretty cool to see and meet the other atthletes living there.
In other news. I am looking forward to going to Beijing next week for the "Goodwill Tour". I leave on Tuesday and I have already done one interview for USA Today for the Tour. The article that I was interviewed for comes out next Thursday while we are in Beijing. My Mom also told me that the tour was mentioned in a Chinese newspaper a few days ago. The article mentioned me and three other athletes that have Chinese backgrounds.
A lot of things to look forward to in the next week. My hope is to keep everyone in the loop even if some of the posts are few and far between.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Goodwill
The United States Olympic Committee has asked me and six other athletes to take a trip to Beijing to promote the olympics and good will between the Chinese and Americans. The tour has been aptly named the "Beijing Goodwill Tour".
I am leaving on the 31st of this month for the tour and returning on the 5th of August. The athletes will be doing various press events and might perhaps have the opportunity to meet with the American ambassador. I'm excited to visit the site of the Olympics as I have heard that most of the venues have been built and almost all the preparations have been completed. What I'm really hoping for is the chance to check out the fencing venue-primarly as a boost but also as a tool for visualization.
When I was first asked to do this tour I wasn't thinking much about goodwill but more about a free trip to China. However, after hearing some recent stories from the Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro, it has become apparent to me that a Goodwill Tour is necessary.
The Pan-American Games are similar to the Olympics as it is a multi-sport event held every four years, but the Games only include the nations of the Americas. It's a fun event but it doesn't count for points towards qualifying for the Olympic Games-at least for the sport of fencing.
I have been told by some athletes and coaches that the US team wasn't always welcome in Rio. Many spectators would hold anti-American signs up including signs about getting rid of Bush. Although I am not a supporter of Bush, it's one thing for Americans to do it in their own country, but it's another to see foreigners holding up negative signs about your country during a sporting event. The athletes and coaches got along just fine but it was the spectators that made it into a political forum.
In a way I understand why they would use the Pan-American Games in this fashion. Not because this is a large public venue but also because the United States comes in as a tour de force. We are a large unit and the USOC provides a lot for the American athletes-we usually have a lot of details and matters taken care of for us. We often look like the big, rich, insensitive, bully. However, this being said, the Canadians also spend a lot of money to provide their athletes with everything they need in order to perform. So what's the difference? The United States is the most powerful country in the world and our every move is scrutinized-even at the Pan-American Games.
And so, the USOC is taking some initiative with Beijing-starting with the Goodwill Tour. Seven athletes are going to Beijing to represent the United States to show the Chinese (or at least whomever shows up to the press events) that we aren't so bad after all. The situation is a bit different as well-mainly because political policy towards China and political policy towards South America is very different. But all that aside-I think this is a nice gesture by the USOC.
As for this week-I am off to Colorado to visit with Felicia, work with a physical therapist out there, and meet with my sports psychologist at the US Olympic Training Center.
Until next time...
I am leaving on the 31st of this month for the tour and returning on the 5th of August. The athletes will be doing various press events and might perhaps have the opportunity to meet with the American ambassador. I'm excited to visit the site of the Olympics as I have heard that most of the venues have been built and almost all the preparations have been completed. What I'm really hoping for is the chance to check out the fencing venue-primarly as a boost but also as a tool for visualization.
When I was first asked to do this tour I wasn't thinking much about goodwill but more about a free trip to China. However, after hearing some recent stories from the Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro, it has become apparent to me that a Goodwill Tour is necessary.
The Pan-American Games are similar to the Olympics as it is a multi-sport event held every four years, but the Games only include the nations of the Americas. It's a fun event but it doesn't count for points towards qualifying for the Olympic Games-at least for the sport of fencing.
I have been told by some athletes and coaches that the US team wasn't always welcome in Rio. Many spectators would hold anti-American signs up including signs about getting rid of Bush. Although I am not a supporter of Bush, it's one thing for Americans to do it in their own country, but it's another to see foreigners holding up negative signs about your country during a sporting event. The athletes and coaches got along just fine but it was the spectators that made it into a political forum.
In a way I understand why they would use the Pan-American Games in this fashion. Not because this is a large public venue but also because the United States comes in as a tour de force. We are a large unit and the USOC provides a lot for the American athletes-we usually have a lot of details and matters taken care of for us. We often look like the big, rich, insensitive, bully. However, this being said, the Canadians also spend a lot of money to provide their athletes with everything they need in order to perform. So what's the difference? The United States is the most powerful country in the world and our every move is scrutinized-even at the Pan-American Games.
And so, the USOC is taking some initiative with Beijing-starting with the Goodwill Tour. Seven athletes are going to Beijing to represent the United States to show the Chinese (or at least whomever shows up to the press events) that we aren't so bad after all. The situation is a bit different as well-mainly because political policy towards China and political policy towards South America is very different. But all that aside-I think this is a nice gesture by the USOC.
As for this week-I am off to Colorado to visit with Felicia, work with a physical therapist out there, and meet with my sports psychologist at the US Olympic Training Center.
Until next time...
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Howdy stranger
So, it's been a while since I last posted and I only hope I didn't lose everybody that has been following the blog.
The truth is I have been having a great few weeks since Nationals. I took second at National Championships. I wonder if it had something to do with my new found relationship with my Dad? It's always nice to know that you have your family in your corner-so it definitely did help in some way.
After National Championships was over I took the opportunity to take a break. I spent a few days in Miami with some fencing friends of mine-we spent a wonderful fourth of July there. I didn't realize that fireworks were legal in Maimi, but a lot of people were setting them off on the beach. I am still not entirely sure it was so safe but it was interesting at the very least.
Where have I been after that? Well, I finally came home and had some time with my parents and with my sister. She came in on Friday this week to spend a few days and for our induction to the Walk of Fame at Frontier Field in Rochester. The Monroe County Sports Commission and committee of VIPs in Rochester decided that Felicia and I deserved to get a 6" by 6" brick with our names on it on the "Walk of Fame" at Rochester's Frontier Field. It was a great day-really sunny out and there were tons of people in attendance to watch us and a group of ten others get inducted. The tons of people were due to Cal Ripken Jr. Jersey day at the baseball game. I didn't realize that Cal Ripken Jr. played on the triple A Red Wings team before he went into the major leagues. As for the Red Wings today, they had their worst EVER game at Frontier Field. Oh well-you can't win everything.
So, it's been an eventful and restful two weeks since I last posted. I'm actually spending the month of July just cross training and resting up for the next big competition at the end of August. I have a lot to work on outside of fencing and I don't plan on picking up a fencing weapon until the beginning of August when I get back from the Beijing Goodwill Tour. (I will talk about going to Beijing in the next blog-I promise I won't take two weeks to post.)
As for the near future-I am going to Denver, CO this week to visit my sister for the weekend. I am looking forward to hiking in the mountains and visiting Colorado Springs where one of the US Olympic Training Centers is located.
I hope all is well with everyone and big apologies for not blogging sooner.
The truth is I have been having a great few weeks since Nationals. I took second at National Championships. I wonder if it had something to do with my new found relationship with my Dad? It's always nice to know that you have your family in your corner-so it definitely did help in some way.
After National Championships was over I took the opportunity to take a break. I spent a few days in Miami with some fencing friends of mine-we spent a wonderful fourth of July there. I didn't realize that fireworks were legal in Maimi, but a lot of people were setting them off on the beach. I am still not entirely sure it was so safe but it was interesting at the very least.
Where have I been after that? Well, I finally came home and had some time with my parents and with my sister. She came in on Friday this week to spend a few days and for our induction to the Walk of Fame at Frontier Field in Rochester. The Monroe County Sports Commission and committee of VIPs in Rochester decided that Felicia and I deserved to get a 6" by 6" brick with our names on it on the "Walk of Fame" at Rochester's Frontier Field. It was a great day-really sunny out and there were tons of people in attendance to watch us and a group of ten others get inducted. The tons of people were due to Cal Ripken Jr. Jersey day at the baseball game. I didn't realize that Cal Ripken Jr. played on the triple A Red Wings team before he went into the major leagues. As for the Red Wings today, they had their worst EVER game at Frontier Field. Oh well-you can't win everything.
So, it's been an eventful and restful two weeks since I last posted. I'm actually spending the month of July just cross training and resting up for the next big competition at the end of August. I have a lot to work on outside of fencing and I don't plan on picking up a fencing weapon until the beginning of August when I get back from the Beijing Goodwill Tour. (I will talk about going to Beijing in the next blog-I promise I won't take two weeks to post.)
As for the near future-I am going to Denver, CO this week to visit my sister for the weekend. I am looking forward to hiking in the mountains and visiting Colorado Springs where one of the US Olympic Training Centers is located.
I hope all is well with everyone and big apologies for not blogging sooner.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
When you least suspect it
The truth is that I don't have much to say about the last world cup or the one before that. Or even the one before that. Let's just say that it's been a tough year all around and before I start getting into a bitter recap of the year, I would like to tell a bit of a story about why today was a wonderful day.
This was the first day I woke up and I felt like I was coming out of a dark fog. Seriously, it felt as though when I woke up, the clouds had parted way for a few moments so I could finally feel a bit of that sunshine. I knew today would in some way be epic-I just knew it.
I went to the gym around 8am, had a good workout, and then headed to get a massage. During my massage, I receive nine missed calls. In an hour and a half I had received nine messages, how is that even possible? I may have a blog but I am just not that popular, people!
So, I checked my messages and called the first person back-my coach, Nat. We talked a bit about National championships coming up on Saturday, about her getting inducted into the Hall of Fame, and then she mentioned something peculiar. Earlier that day she called my house to find me and started a conversation with my father. Actually, the interesting part is that HE started the conversation with her.
Here is where you need a bit of background. My Dad is a tough guy with a soft heart and a quick temper. If you remember, he's the guy that was none to happy about my return to home at the age of 26. Also, it's been my impression that he wasn't always too happy about my sister and my commitment to fencing because I think he felt like we sacrificed too much.
In some ways his behavior is understandable because he's been through a lot in his life-he grew up in what was left of Berlin after WWII, his family struggled, he went out on his own when he was just 17, and eventually moved to a whole new country that was not always too friendly to immigrants, especially an immigrant with a thick German accent and some trouble with English grammar. I do have to say that he has a funny sense of humor. Sometimes, even in the face of my own embarrassment, he manages to strike up conversations with perfect strangers that don't seem to want to be bothered. Most of the time his sense of humor and accent gets through and he gets them to respond-in a good way with a laugh or a smile. He's a good guy but we don't always speak.
My father and I have had days or a week even where we don't even say a word to each other. I come home from practice and he's just doing his thing in the house and sometimes just a simple "hi" crosses between us. That was us, that was our routine. Well, except for the once in a while where we would yell at each other-mostly about money and how I am going to have to pay him back for something, etc.
Anyways, so my father-the thick accented, funny, sometimes crazy, father-struck up a conversation with coach Nat. He was concerned because after this tournament in Vegas I came home with what seemed like an irreversible frown and dark demeanor. After a bit of questioning, my coach came out with it, "I think Iris is a bit sad and some things are happening in her mind that she's having trouble with. This year has been hard on her and we are both looking forward to the summer to rest up and get ready for next year." These words, "I think Iris is sad" hit my father the hardest. "What should I do?", he said to Nat. "Take her out to lunch, talk to her", she said. "I want to help her but I'm not much of a talker. In fact, she and I don't talk, we only yell at each other. But, I will try.", said Dad.
The other eight calls on my phone? Well, besides the one from my mother? All from my Dad's cell phone. I called him back and we set a time for dinner with Mom-Outback Steakhouse-where everyone has a family get together.
My Mom had to work after dinner so my father and I drove in a separate car. This, my friends, was beyond awkward. My father had this big smile on his face which looked a bit forced and strange. He looked awkward, I felt awkward, and there it went. We talked a little about getting my car registered in the state of New York, and then came the SO.
"So, I hear from Nat that you are having trouble. You shouldn't worry, we are proud of you, no matter how you do."
At this point I was glad I was wearing big black sunglasses so he couldn't see my eyes tearing up.
He went on, "You have always been a great girl. You have always done the right thing. Between your coach and your mother you haven't even had time to breathe, let alone do all the things you want to do."
There was some back and forth and I had to stress to him that I felt badly and I am not sure where it was coming from-my mother, the way I was raised, my coach, genetics, who knew. The bottom line was that I needed to see someone about this problem. "I feel like a failure. I feel like I have dissapointed everyone.", I told him, and this was hard for him to hear.
"But we are so proud of you. And you shouldn't listen to anyone's opinion."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Well, it's true. I always say (and yes, he is famous for this) 'if they don't pay your bills, then they have nothing to say'."
I didn't really want to be the one to remind him that he doesn't really pay my bills, but this wasn't the time for that.
But the best part of the conversation, was when he said this. "I am sorry that I haven't been there for you. Your mother is behind this Olympic stuff one hundred percent and I haven't been there. From now on, I will be there for you, no matter what. We will support you. We will be there. I know I've been hard on you and I've been a jerk, but I will be there for you. I support you."
Even typing those words out-even though I can't remember everything verbatim, I can't stop myself from crying. All the negative thoughts and feelings I have had in the past few months about my fencing seemed to vanish with his words. Was I waiting for his approval this whole time? Maybe, maybe not. But I think that his words made me feel so much stronger in one fell swoop. In one moment I went from feeling like I had the world on my shoulders to feeling that no matter what, I had him, my Mom, my sister, and Nat standing there, waiting to catch me if I fall. This means a lot to a person who feels like she's been falling this entire year.
Sometimes the relationship between a parent and a child can seem lost but we are just waiting for the other to speak up. To say something, to be the parent and to be the child, to fullfill those roles in your own way and not some Brady Bunch manner. I'm so grateful that my father stepped out of his comfort zone to remind me that he was still my father-the same one in the photos where he's got me in a bear hug as a toddler or holding me as a newborn. It's hard to remember those times as you get older but it's nice to be reminded that that bond is still there. I am so lucky and so grateful for today-I knew it was going to be amazing.
I think that this gives you an idea of how I want to sum up the year and how it went but it's not all bad. Just like this story it will all have a happy ending and will be full of adventures and memories that will shape the next steps in my life and be part of the bigger story of my life that I will tell my own children.
This was the first day I woke up and I felt like I was coming out of a dark fog. Seriously, it felt as though when I woke up, the clouds had parted way for a few moments so I could finally feel a bit of that sunshine. I knew today would in some way be epic-I just knew it.
I went to the gym around 8am, had a good workout, and then headed to get a massage. During my massage, I receive nine missed calls. In an hour and a half I had received nine messages, how is that even possible? I may have a blog but I am just not that popular, people!
So, I checked my messages and called the first person back-my coach, Nat. We talked a bit about National championships coming up on Saturday, about her getting inducted into the Hall of Fame, and then she mentioned something peculiar. Earlier that day she called my house to find me and started a conversation with my father. Actually, the interesting part is that HE started the conversation with her.
Here is where you need a bit of background. My Dad is a tough guy with a soft heart and a quick temper. If you remember, he's the guy that was none to happy about my return to home at the age of 26. Also, it's been my impression that he wasn't always too happy about my sister and my commitment to fencing because I think he felt like we sacrificed too much.
In some ways his behavior is understandable because he's been through a lot in his life-he grew up in what was left of Berlin after WWII, his family struggled, he went out on his own when he was just 17, and eventually moved to a whole new country that was not always too friendly to immigrants, especially an immigrant with a thick German accent and some trouble with English grammar. I do have to say that he has a funny sense of humor. Sometimes, even in the face of my own embarrassment, he manages to strike up conversations with perfect strangers that don't seem to want to be bothered. Most of the time his sense of humor and accent gets through and he gets them to respond-in a good way with a laugh or a smile. He's a good guy but we don't always speak.
My father and I have had days or a week even where we don't even say a word to each other. I come home from practice and he's just doing his thing in the house and sometimes just a simple "hi" crosses between us. That was us, that was our routine. Well, except for the once in a while where we would yell at each other-mostly about money and how I am going to have to pay him back for something, etc.
Anyways, so my father-the thick accented, funny, sometimes crazy, father-struck up a conversation with coach Nat. He was concerned because after this tournament in Vegas I came home with what seemed like an irreversible frown and dark demeanor. After a bit of questioning, my coach came out with it, "I think Iris is a bit sad and some things are happening in her mind that she's having trouble with. This year has been hard on her and we are both looking forward to the summer to rest up and get ready for next year." These words, "I think Iris is sad" hit my father the hardest. "What should I do?", he said to Nat. "Take her out to lunch, talk to her", she said. "I want to help her but I'm not much of a talker. In fact, she and I don't talk, we only yell at each other. But, I will try.", said Dad.
The other eight calls on my phone? Well, besides the one from my mother? All from my Dad's cell phone. I called him back and we set a time for dinner with Mom-Outback Steakhouse-where everyone has a family get together.
My Mom had to work after dinner so my father and I drove in a separate car. This, my friends, was beyond awkward. My father had this big smile on his face which looked a bit forced and strange. He looked awkward, I felt awkward, and there it went. We talked a little about getting my car registered in the state of New York, and then came the SO.
"So, I hear from Nat that you are having trouble. You shouldn't worry, we are proud of you, no matter how you do."
At this point I was glad I was wearing big black sunglasses so he couldn't see my eyes tearing up.
He went on, "You have always been a great girl. You have always done the right thing. Between your coach and your mother you haven't even had time to breathe, let alone do all the things you want to do."
There was some back and forth and I had to stress to him that I felt badly and I am not sure where it was coming from-my mother, the way I was raised, my coach, genetics, who knew. The bottom line was that I needed to see someone about this problem. "I feel like a failure. I feel like I have dissapointed everyone.", I told him, and this was hard for him to hear.
"But we are so proud of you. And you shouldn't listen to anyone's opinion."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Well, it's true. I always say (and yes, he is famous for this) 'if they don't pay your bills, then they have nothing to say'."
I didn't really want to be the one to remind him that he doesn't really pay my bills, but this wasn't the time for that.
But the best part of the conversation, was when he said this. "I am sorry that I haven't been there for you. Your mother is behind this Olympic stuff one hundred percent and I haven't been there. From now on, I will be there for you, no matter what. We will support you. We will be there. I know I've been hard on you and I've been a jerk, but I will be there for you. I support you."
Even typing those words out-even though I can't remember everything verbatim, I can't stop myself from crying. All the negative thoughts and feelings I have had in the past few months about my fencing seemed to vanish with his words. Was I waiting for his approval this whole time? Maybe, maybe not. But I think that his words made me feel so much stronger in one fell swoop. In one moment I went from feeling like I had the world on my shoulders to feeling that no matter what, I had him, my Mom, my sister, and Nat standing there, waiting to catch me if I fall. This means a lot to a person who feels like she's been falling this entire year.
Sometimes the relationship between a parent and a child can seem lost but we are just waiting for the other to speak up. To say something, to be the parent and to be the child, to fullfill those roles in your own way and not some Brady Bunch manner. I'm so grateful that my father stepped out of his comfort zone to remind me that he was still my father-the same one in the photos where he's got me in a bear hug as a toddler or holding me as a newborn. It's hard to remember those times as you get older but it's nice to be reminded that that bond is still there. I am so lucky and so grateful for today-I knew it was going to be amazing.
I think that this gives you an idea of how I want to sum up the year and how it went but it's not all bad. Just like this story it will all have a happy ending and will be full of adventures and memories that will shape the next steps in my life and be part of the bigger story of my life that I will tell my own children.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Website
www.iriszimmermann.com
is finally operational! Yes! This has been a long and coming project..I think we started in January, but the website is finally up and running!
Many thanks to Dave Pronko of Steelhorse Studios for designing the site and to Barbara Grosh of Crafting Links for site development. THANK YOU BOTH! :) I just like to add that they did the website for me for free as a contribution to my fencing. Thank you again!
Please feel free to go to the website and check it out. Let me know your likes (since there shouldn't be any dislikes!) and please sign up for a newsletter subscription!
is finally operational! Yes! This has been a long and coming project..I think we started in January, but the website is finally up and running!
Many thanks to Dave Pronko of Steelhorse Studios for designing the site and to Barbara Grosh of Crafting Links for site development. THANK YOU BOTH! :) I just like to add that they did the website for me for free as a contribution to my fencing. Thank you again!
Please feel free to go to the website and check it out. Let me know your likes (since there shouldn't be any dislikes!) and please sign up for a newsletter subscription!
Monday, June 18, 2007
From Fidel to George Bush International
On Saturday, I went from Cuba to George Bush International airport in Houston. Life as an Olympic fencer is always interesting.
Below is a photo of some of the propaganda that is going around on the island about George the 2nd.
Brings new meaning to "one's man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter". Figure that one out.
Enough politics..more fencing.
In Cuba, the US team passed Venezuela which means we are now the top team in the hemisphere and in position to qualify the team for the Olympic games. Just a recap-by April 1, 2008, the US team has be ranked ahead of Canada and Venezuela - the other countries in this North and South American block don't really have strong teams besides the three. This is very good news-this is the first time this year that the US women's foil team has been ahead.
The next big team tournament is at the Pan-American zonal championships in August. Last year we took second to Venezuela but that isn't going to happen this year. We have beaten them several time since the last zonal competition.
Not much else to report except for the fact that I am back in the states. Yeah, Texas. I'll be here for a few days before going to Vegas for the last world cup of the season-I fence on Friday and Saturday.
By the way, a belated Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's and a big hug to my Dad!
Below is a photo of some of the propaganda that is going around on the island about George the 2nd.
Brings new meaning to "one's man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter". Figure that one out.
Enough politics..more fencing.
In Cuba, the US team passed Venezuela which means we are now the top team in the hemisphere and in position to qualify the team for the Olympic games. Just a recap-by April 1, 2008, the US team has be ranked ahead of Canada and Venezuela - the other countries in this North and South American block don't really have strong teams besides the three. This is very good news-this is the first time this year that the US women's foil team has been ahead.
The next big team tournament is at the Pan-American zonal championships in August. Last year we took second to Venezuela but that isn't going to happen this year. We have beaten them several time since the last zonal competition.
Not much else to report except for the fact that I am back in the states. Yeah, Texas. I'll be here for a few days before going to Vegas for the last world cup of the season-I fence on Friday and Saturday.
By the way, a belated Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's and a big hug to my Dad!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Embargo? What embargo?
The team is off to Havana, Cuba tomorrow for the last grand prix world cup of the season. I am not going to get started about the embargo but I think it's crazy that I am going to leave Rochester at 6:20am and I won't be in Havana until about 10pm. Why is that? Well, not only do I have to make plane reservations with an agency in Canada, but I also have to go through Cancun in order to get to Cuba. The lay over in Cancun for the one flight a day to Cuba is about eight hours.
Cancun for eight hours with the team isn't so bad. One year, one of the coaches decided to dare the rest of the team, for money, that he couldn't leave a slice of jalapeno pepper up his nose for the eight hour lay over. He's a bit insane and ended up winning about $40-I think we took pity on him three hours later and let him take the pepper out when his nose was inflamed and red. These are the things we do on these trips-very grown up and mature.
Anyways, enough about jalapeno peppers, this is supposed to be a serious blog about training for the Olympics.
The world cup in Cuba will be both an individual and team event starting Wednesday and ending on Friday. My hope for this year is that all the electricity will be able to stay on during the entire tournament. In addition to the intermittent electricity, there is intermittent/no air conditioning. The hotel turned off the air conditioning to the rooms in order to provide power to the fencing tournament that was taking place on the second floor of the hotel. The things we take for granted, like a working power grid.
As I think about how things were last year at this tournament, a few things come up. Cuba was my first world cup back and at that point I was still working on the Westly campaign in California. I feel like it's been ages since then and I am very curious to see how different I am and feel at this competition.
I also remember that last year was a bit of an administrative mess with the organizing committee of the competition. The competition ended up taking place in one day as apposed to two because they kept messing up the world rankings and names of the competitors. I ended up having to email the FIE (international fencing association) in Cuba for the Cuban federation because they weren't too sure what was going on. By email I mean, somehow send a message through the most archaic computer and email system I have ever seen. When I finished emailing the FIE, I was a translator between the Cubans and the Russian team. I spoke to the Cubans in Spanish of course and then I would translate back and forth to the Russians. And I wonder why I chose international relations as my collegiate course of study.
It's off to Cuba tomorrow. My schedule after the competition looks a bit like this:
6/16-6/20- training camp in Houston, TX at Salle Mauro
6/20-6/24- World Cup in Las Vegas, NV
6/24-6/28- home
6/28-7/5- National Championships in Miami, FL
The marathon continues.
Cancun for eight hours with the team isn't so bad. One year, one of the coaches decided to dare the rest of the team, for money, that he couldn't leave a slice of jalapeno pepper up his nose for the eight hour lay over. He's a bit insane and ended up winning about $40-I think we took pity on him three hours later and let him take the pepper out when his nose was inflamed and red. These are the things we do on these trips-very grown up and mature.
Anyways, enough about jalapeno peppers, this is supposed to be a serious blog about training for the Olympics.
The world cup in Cuba will be both an individual and team event starting Wednesday and ending on Friday. My hope for this year is that all the electricity will be able to stay on during the entire tournament. In addition to the intermittent electricity, there is intermittent/no air conditioning. The hotel turned off the air conditioning to the rooms in order to provide power to the fencing tournament that was taking place on the second floor of the hotel. The things we take for granted, like a working power grid.
As I think about how things were last year at this tournament, a few things come up. Cuba was my first world cup back and at that point I was still working on the Westly campaign in California. I feel like it's been ages since then and I am very curious to see how different I am and feel at this competition.
I also remember that last year was a bit of an administrative mess with the organizing committee of the competition. The competition ended up taking place in one day as apposed to two because they kept messing up the world rankings and names of the competitors. I ended up having to email the FIE (international fencing association) in Cuba for the Cuban federation because they weren't too sure what was going on. By email I mean, somehow send a message through the most archaic computer and email system I have ever seen. When I finished emailing the FIE, I was a translator between the Cubans and the Russian team. I spoke to the Cubans in Spanish of course and then I would translate back and forth to the Russians. And I wonder why I chose international relations as my collegiate course of study.
It's off to Cuba tomorrow. My schedule after the competition looks a bit like this:
6/16-6/20- training camp in Houston, TX at Salle Mauro
6/20-6/24- World Cup in Las Vegas, NV
6/24-6/28- home
6/28-7/5- National Championships in Miami, FL
The marathon continues.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Moving up in the world
Argentina was a good event. The American women, as a whole, did very well. I ended up 7th and managed to move several spots in the rankings to 36th-I'm out of the 40's! Woot!
I actually had a great time fencing in Buenos Aires and that's not just because I did well (but it doesn't hurt!). I'm having fun because I feel as though I am making progress and learning from each experience. My coach and I, after each tournament, take notes, work on something, and in the following tournament, the result usually reflects the preparation we have done.
So what's up next this week?
I'm leaving for NYC on Wednesday morning to train there for a few days before heading to the last grand prix world cup of the season, which is in Havana, Cuba. This isn't the last world cup of the season, but it's the last grand prix world cup which counts double points. Friends of mine joke that I spend more time in the air than on the ground. I think if I really calculated the time and mileage, they may not be far off the mark. However crazy the schedule is, I am still having fun and you're only young once. :) Besides, I know Dulles and Atlanta airports like the back of my hand now. Is that a good thing?
It's been a while since I've been to NYC, I trained there for the 2004 games. A part of me is a little nervous to return to the place where my old coach will be. I'm trying not to think of the significance because it will probably be more of a distraction than I need at this point. But-if you have read my past entries from the beginning of this journey, you know how difficult it was for me to separate him from my life and my fencing. He was once someone who meant a lot to me as he was a father figure-I think I spent more time with him than I did with my own parents. But as I got older and developed a mind of my own we clashed and have never repaired our relationship. Things with him will never be the same but I am glad for it because it means that I am much stronger and capable to stand on my own. I think the appropriate phrase here would be-"I've come a long way, baby."
If you came later to this blog and are not sure of what I am talking about in reference to my old coach, you can go back to the beginning of the blog posts because he is very much a part of them. As I've gone through this year his influence is no longer but I went through a lot just to come to this point. If you haven't read the previous posts about him, I would encourage you to do it since it was such a big part of this year.
So in conclusion, Argentina went well and the season is winding down with it's last few tournaments. I have made significant progress and I am enjoying myself along the way. Life is but a dream, and I am definitely living it. :)
I actually had a great time fencing in Buenos Aires and that's not just because I did well (but it doesn't hurt!). I'm having fun because I feel as though I am making progress and learning from each experience. My coach and I, after each tournament, take notes, work on something, and in the following tournament, the result usually reflects the preparation we have done.
So what's up next this week?
I'm leaving for NYC on Wednesday morning to train there for a few days before heading to the last grand prix world cup of the season, which is in Havana, Cuba. This isn't the last world cup of the season, but it's the last grand prix world cup which counts double points. Friends of mine joke that I spend more time in the air than on the ground. I think if I really calculated the time and mileage, they may not be far off the mark. However crazy the schedule is, I am still having fun and you're only young once. :) Besides, I know Dulles and Atlanta airports like the back of my hand now. Is that a good thing?
It's been a while since I've been to NYC, I trained there for the 2004 games. A part of me is a little nervous to return to the place where my old coach will be. I'm trying not to think of the significance because it will probably be more of a distraction than I need at this point. But-if you have read my past entries from the beginning of this journey, you know how difficult it was for me to separate him from my life and my fencing. He was once someone who meant a lot to me as he was a father figure-I think I spent more time with him than I did with my own parents. But as I got older and developed a mind of my own we clashed and have never repaired our relationship. Things with him will never be the same but I am glad for it because it means that I am much stronger and capable to stand on my own. I think the appropriate phrase here would be-"I've come a long way, baby."
If you came later to this blog and are not sure of what I am talking about in reference to my old coach, you can go back to the beginning of the blog posts because he is very much a part of them. As I've gone through this year his influence is no longer but I went through a lot just to come to this point. If you haven't read the previous posts about him, I would encourage you to do it since it was such a big part of this year.
So in conclusion, Argentina went well and the season is winding down with it's last few tournaments. I have made significant progress and I am enjoying myself along the way. Life is but a dream, and I am definitely living it. :)
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Buenos Aires
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! :)
I probably won't post between now and when I get back on Monday.
Have a great week and weekend! :)
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
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