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?