squeezing magic out of dust

[anotheranon]

So, you know I didn't show well at Nationals. Much of this was because I was denied my preferred sleep and food rituals.

I lurve my prep, and tend to lean on it rather heavily to keep my game in order because even the tiniest discomfort derails me. However, I saw people with far greater impediments than I still manage to hold it together on the strip long enough to do some impressive things. People with injuries, illnesses, nausea, and even less sleep or food than I managed to summon something that I don't have and score a couple more touches, keep their feet moving just those few seconds more. Compared to these lions of endurance/stoicism, I feel like a tiny mewling kitten :P

Part of this is laziness on my part - my inner hobbit desperately wants to rest my legs as soon as they start to hurt and take a nap as soon as my eyelids droop. Having an uncompromising coach who pushes me just a little bit more every lesson helps, but I need to develop some internal toughness and self-discipline.

All of you who engage in physically/mentally demanding endeavors - how do you work through the distractions of pain, illness, sleeplessness and other less-than-perfect conditions to get something out of your performance?

Comments

[semmie17.livejournal.com]

I whine.

A lot.

Just ask Gigi.

I mean.... a LOT!

:PPPPPPPP

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

:D So do I - what do you think half my LJ fencing posts are? :P

[hadesgirl.livejournal.com]

She does!!!! And then we force her to ride five more miles on the bicycle!!! Seriously, though... she's doing amazing this year! She's ridden up to 14 miles at a time with us and we are completely impressed with her dedication! Of course... when she got to the top of the hill and almost threw up from breathing so hard... well, we thought we might have to ease up a tad. Maybe.

[seamstrix.livejournal.com]

I refuse to acknowledge it. After 30+ years in reenacting and 20+ years at the RenFaire, I have had to perform and be on my game under some really challenging conditions. I do my best to give my body what it needs- water, food, sleep. But when it comes right down to it and the show must go on, I tell my body to shut it and do what needs to be done. So what category does that fall under? Sheer cussed-ness?

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

"Cussed-ness", I like that :)

I posted this same question to my fencing friends on Facebook and I'm seeing variations on a theme - mental endurance trumps physical endurance almost for almost everyone in almost every case. In short, I need to develop the discipline to grit my teeth and keep going.

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

Sheer cussedness is about it ... using willpower to keep yourself going when all else is pretty much shot. If you want something badly enough, you will be able to force yourself past that "inner hobbit" ... just gotta convince yourself that Gollum or the dragon will get you if you don't keep going. ;-)