more on genius/achievement

[anotheranon]

Just finished reading this article, The Expert Mind, about what makes a chess grand champion or an "expert" in any other field of endeavor. According to the article (and evidently years of psychological research), innate ability or talent won't take you as far as concious, deliberate training.

The article has sat in my mind as I'm looking at my foil fencing game. I've kept up my fencing this summer much as I have for the past couple of years, through free fencing practice once a week against a variety of different fencers. I feel like I've improved in the past 6 months-year in terms of confidence and separating my different fencing styles on the strip (for awhile I think I was mixing up my saber and foil moves and using "hack and slash" for the latter where they really don't work).

However, I've not had drills or instruction for almost two years - economy has dictated that I have to choose between bouting and instruction and I've always chosen the former because.. well, it's just more fun :P Lately though I've started to think that I'm just going to stand still with the sport if I don't get back to basics for a bit. Hence my thinking out loud from a couple of weeks ago. And it's not that I have any current ambitions to compete, but I'm just itching for "more", somehow, and I think instruction may be the way to go.

True to form I'm taking my time to decide, but once I actually pick a club/class I'll be very certain of my decision. I'll keep fencing this fall, even if it's just once a week w/ floor fee like I've been doing, but I find it surprising and more than a little amusing that little old "always picked last for kickball" me is thinking like.. well.. an athlete (!)

Comments

[skill-grl.livejournal.com]

As someone else also often picked last for sports, I too have been surprised to find myself seriously contemplating sports nutrition and such for cycling. We did our 50 miles today, and I'm an athlete!!!

So, go you! W/ either choice.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Hey, go you too! I'm a mere dabbler compared to going 50 miles on a bike!

BTW, might want to read/chat with hadesgirl sometimes, she also does long distance bicycling (albeit, not recumbent).

[kat1392.livejournal.com]

Sometimes it just takes awhile to find the sport you like.

[kiya.livejournal.com]

I'm a big fan and supporter of drilling. It really does make a difference in your fencing. I will definitely be at Rockville Fencing Academy on Wednesday. $5 floor fee. I'm trying to get myself back into shape.

I HAD planned on hitting NIH on Sunday morning, but my Screenwriters group meets then.

Once I squeeze myself back into my gear (ugh! Getting fat sucks) we could do some drills if you like.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

This coming Weds. I'll be at CCFC, unfortunately :( However, most of my CCFC fencing buddies are angling for Thursdays from now on, so it's not impossible that I might be able to make a Rockville practice in the next few weeks - indeed, one of my friends there wants to check out other clubs so she might be interested as well - please feel free to use the list to let people know when/where you'll be :)

And yes - I'd love to do some drills with you! You'll get back into your fencing gear in no time!