between-seasons break: how long and when?

[Victor]

On what date do you begin your annual break from fencing between seasons, and how long do you stay away from the sport?

[Katman]

The only break I give myself is when I am out of college for Christmas. Otherwise I fence with the university during the spring and fall semesters, and at a local club during the summer.

[Peach]

Because I'm a teacher off from work over the summer between Summer Nationals and the beginning of the fencing season, I have time to train so I fence and exercise thorughout the summer, and take September off from fencing.

[Victor]

I'm thinking it's time for an entire month (or more) away from fencing. I performed miserably at our sectional qualifiers (don't ask); before the event, I actually felt some dread and reluctance to show up. Didn't feel the desire to fence; just didn't want to.

Now's as good a time as any to start my break, eh?

[Peach]

Sounds good. Dread is not a good sign, especially when it occurs in recreational activities

That said, I've been known to dread fencing in mid-season, but then I seem to require catharsis in my hobbies, and I don't like real roller-coasters any more, now that I'm middle-aged.

A month off from any sport is a good time. Your body needs time to repair small overuse injuries. There are many things this asymmetric sport is bad for if there isn't any balance in your activity: backs, knees, ankles, feet, elbows, hands . . . A break is a chance to provide that balance and an opportunity to do other things. During my break, I usually triple up my time at the health club, concentrating on weights and aerobic work and adding intervals to my workouts. I'm usually extremely stressed anyway at that time, because of the beginning of school. Some people use their break to play other sports--frisbee, tennis, basketball.

[C.J.]

First of all, fencing is a winter sport to me, and I see no point being in a fencing suit when it is 80 degrees out there. So I take the entire summer off; that's usually for about 4 months. And another month or two for winter vacation, since no one would be at the club anyway.

I think it is good to take a long break, it gives you new perspective on your tactics and time for you to train on other sports.

[Victor]

I think that when I plan this next season's calendar (training phases, events to attend, etc.), I'll be sure to include some short breaks as well so I can avoid mid-season burnout.

Thanks for the feedback.

[electricepeeist]

I take about a week off for spring break because we usually go to Florida, sometimes a week off in winter (but usually I go to training camp) and about two weeks off in summer for camp or travel...once in a while I skip a week because I'm really busy...So in all, maybe a little over a month off. I find a week off doesn't really give me much rest, I get behind but don't feel re-energized, but two weeks helps. Wow...I sound a lot more devoted than I actually am...

[dreadfoily]

Sounds good. Dread is not a good sign, especially when it occurs in recreational activities

That said, I've been known to dread fencing in mid-season, but then I seem to require catharsis in my hobbies, and I don't like real roller-coasters any more, now that I'm middle-aged.

A month off from any sport is a good time. Your body needs time to repair small overuse injuries. There are many things this asymmetric sport is bad for if there isn't any balance in your activity: backs, knees, ankles, feet, elbows, hands . . . A break is a chance to provide that balance and an opportunity to do other things. During my break, I usually triple up my time at the health club, concentrating on weights and aerobic work and adding intervals to my workouts. I'm usually extremely stressed anyway at that time, because of the beginning of school. Some people use their break to play other sports--frisbee, tennis, basketball.

THE MIDDLE AGES!!! - A GREAT topic.
There is also the eat, rest and massage break. My favorite place to break is Aveda Day Spas. They have a wrap that's out of this world. Although that may sound terrible in light of recent events, I can only say, I feel donwtrodden enough. Peach et al have been wonderful sources of inspiration and so forth over the past 4 years. I did some nice fencing and some horrible fencing over the past 4 years. I want to get back to it, this is the LONGEST break I have ever been on - October to now [6 months], it may be the end of my epee career! But my pastels are out of sight.

Guys, I am in total shock over the Iraq thing, it doesn't get better, what can we do?

[Inquartata]

I am sometimes forced to take a break of a week or so, as when the building wherein my salle meets shuts down for Xmas and New Years ( university club ). And I once took about three weeks off due to a knee injury. Apart from those I have not gone more than a week without fencing in the last 20 odd years, nor would I wish to do so. I ALWAYS look forward to fencing; the notion of "dreading" it is entirely alien to my psyche. ( During the injury-related break I still haunted the club to watch and talk fencing when I could. )

[danp]

I'm at odds with this particular decision.

On ne hand, I race bicycles during the summer and just don't have the legs to fence after all is said and done... add to that it's usually 80+ degrees in the club during the summer, and the number of people who show up to fence dwindles to a handful...

On the other hand, when I stop fencing for just a couple of weeks, my game goes to hell and there's a ramp up to build calluses and recondition my body for the stresses it takes. It's not something I can just pop back into after a couple of weeks. After all the work I put in this season, a whole summer off seems like going back to square one.

I'll continue with my lessons throughout the summer, and perhaps fence once a week at the club..

To be honest, I've been finding it really hard to deliver on that decision - coming up with a day where my legs aren't completely fragged is tough, but it's worth it.

Good luck with your decision,
-Dan

On what date do you begin your annual break from fencing between seasons, and how long do you stay away from the sport?

[Sabresque]

Because my family never sees me (fencing has taken over my life) and likes family vacations, I usually take a week and a half off with my family right after summer nationals.

[kalivor]

After summer nationals, I take at least a month off.

That is, I take a break until my body feels rested and uninjured ... or a month, if it takes less time than that.

After a month, I start training again. I'll usually concentrate more on cardio and strength training than the fencing for what remains of the summer, then turn down the cross training and turn up the lessons/drilling/footwork part of the training once fall hits.

[MikeHarm]

I only take breaks when I'm low on funds, and I just do my home training regimine in the breaks.

[counterattack]

I have been forced to take a few months off due to injuries and travel several times since I started fencing. I find that my accuracy suffers for a few days of practice afterwards but I think that my strategy and my mental game improve. This must be a facet of personal psychology, since I have seen some fencers from my clubs who have been way off of their game for several weeks after time off, so I would never suggest that this is true for everybody.
One time I suffered from the "dread" that Victor mentioned. I was very surprised when it happened. I was fencing decently, but I was just having an off day in my head. I felt I couldn't concentrate, which happens sometimes, but somehow it progressed over three or four bad touches into dread of fencing. It was a pool bout, and when it was over I thought "I am not enjoying this, why am I doing this?" After a few more minutes I felt better, and was back to my normal "fence anyone, anywhere, and I'll love it" attitude. I suspect I may have been having blood sugar issues. After I snapped out of it I did well, and nearly won the event. If suspect that if I got that sensation more often, or if I didn't think it was due to physiological causes, then I would take a month off. It was very off-putting to suddenly hate the sport you love.