anotheranon | one good day

As those of y'all who read my Twitter feed already know, after several rounds of ice skating uphill, I had a good competition and finished 2nd, the highest I ever have in my life.

This past Saturday was possibly the best single day I've had in competition. I was alert but relaxed and entirely in the moment for most of the day, which is unusual for me in general and rarer than hen's teeth in competition. Instead of "chasing my E" I wasn't emotionally attached to the outcome one way or another.

It also helped that I finally figured out that naproxen != ibuprofen and only the latter reduces the inflammation that aggravates my feet and shins. I cannot remember the last time I was THAT physically comfortable on the strip.

I was on fire, freakishly so - I won all of my pool bouts handily, and seeded first (! out of 12!). My first DE I won 15-0, though admittedly my opponent was not at her best, that's still highly unusual. I also won my semi-finals bout, and wasn't gasping for air/ wincing in pain afterwards.

Then I got stupid.

Two thoughts occurred at the same time: 1) "ZOMG, I'm in the finals!" and 2) "I'll be peeved if I lose to this person". The latter came about because I've been fencing longer than my opponent has been walking (she was only 11) and has only one ~~good~~ excellent move.

I didn't completely tank - I got 7 touches on her, but this illustrated for me in neon all caps that I need to get over my arrogance and destructive self talk.

Still, I am pleased that I was able to do what my coach has been hammering into me for forever and just go and do, for most of the day. If I could find whatever had me in such an even state I'd bottle it and drink it like coffee!