Women's Section

[esskreemr]

Sounds like a good time to implement some sports psychology.

When your in the midst of pms, take detailed notes when you fence (after the bout of course), how did you feel? What were you thinking? What was your mood. Note everything you can in a log.

Once your cycle is through, reread your notes and try to visualize yourself in that same mindset. Try to recreate the moment. See if it helps your fencing. You'll know that you were successful if you feel a strong craving for chocolate and ice cream after the fencing.

[Fencergrl]

Originally Posted by esskreemr

Once your cycle is through, reread your notes and try to visualize yourself in that same mindset. Try to recreate the moment. See if it helps your fencing.

Not a bad idea. I use visualization, so capturing the moment as best I can and using it in my visualizations prior to competitions would be helpful.

I have a notebook that I use to record information on my competitors (what works, what doesn't) I read this before competing; I will add my own fencing visualizations as well.

[swordwench]

Originally Posted by Fencergrl

Okay this is the other end of the spectrum... do any women notice they fence better when they have PMS?

I am more aggressive, follow though with my hits, able to be more focused. I have great bouts when I have PMS.

Anyone else?

OK, I'll bite.

I fence like a demon from hell when I have PMS. (That was me last week.)This is actually a good thing. I am, however, a horrible mate and mother.
I fence more clumsily and with less energy when I have my period. (So far, I've had it for almost every tournament I've done this year. Grrrr.) Blech.
I fence well when I'm slightly angry - provided I can focus the anger towards the bout and not the person with whom I'm angry. And I do a LOT of low-line attacks on men.
I climb the walls when I ovulate, desperately needing sexual release. But I fence pretty well through it, if I can keep my eyes off the guys I'm fencing.
I can't cook to save myself when I have my period. I get take-out.

Wasn't it in Piers Anthony's "Magic of Xanth" trilogy that we meet a young woman who changes with each phase of her cycle? It's been years since I read it, but I'll bet Peach would know...

[Fencergrl]

Originally Posted by swordwench

Wasn't it in Piers Anthony's "Magic of Xanth" trilogy that we meet a young woman who changes with each phase of her cycle? It's been years since I read it, but I'll bet Peach would know...

Once again we have a lot in common S'wench. I fence badly when I have my period, and distracted around men during ovulation. I AM surprised other women fence better when they have PMS.... very interesting.

I am interested in the Piers Anthony book. I'm not fond of his Xanth series, as I prefer his books based on anthropology more (such as Tatham Mound or Isle of Woman). So if someone could confirm this I would appreciate it.

[ThatReallyHurt]

Originally Posted by swordwench

Wasn't it in Piers Anthony's "Magic of Xanth" trilogy that we meet a young woman who changes with each phase of her cycle? It's been years since I read it, but I'll bet Peach would know...

I've heard of that... except it wasn't a woman, it's some guy... and he gets all hairy and wolf-like when there's a full moon. I think he used to have a radio show or something...

[mrbiggs]

Maybe you guys (or, well, girls, I guess...) don't need a forum, as you've examined most of the relevant issues in this thread?

[Fencergrl]

Or perhaps 105 posts mean we do?

But I appreciate you coming in a suggesting we've had enough and couldn't possibly have anymore to discuss! LOL

Now shooo!

[melihop]

Originally Posted by mrbiggs

Maybe you guys (or, well, girls, I guess...) don't need a forum, as you've examined most of the relevant issues in this thread?

mabey we would talk more if we didn't have to worry about guys like you coing and butting into our conversations?!?!?!?

[Peach]

Although I don't have much investment in the topics discussed so far (I don't have PMS or any discernable monthly fluctuations in performance, for instance, and didn't have either even when I wasn't yet perimenopausal), the thread seems entirely justified by the fact that any male might come in and suggest it isn't needed

And I might add, the topics discussed so far are only a few among many possible ones.

[Fencergrl]

Originally Posted by melihop

mabey we would talk more if we didn't have to worry about guys like you coing and butting into our conversations?!?!?!?

I found many of the comments made by men helpful. I found it amusing that Mr. Biggs would suggest we don't require a woman's section based on his lack of interest in it.... Very few young males are interested in what we have to say here.

If we keep men out or allow them in, makes no difference to me. I would just like a place where I know women go to, to discuss any relevant issues we may have.

[Goofy]

A serious question, from a male who helps to coach a team that is gaining several females- I've heard that it is a good idea for the coach to know the cycle of each of the female athletes and be able to make individual training adjustments accordingly.

Would you ladies agree or disagree with this? And if you agree, if your coach approached you with this request would you really be willing to provide the information or would it be 'too personal' or 'embarrassing'?

[Fencergrl]

Originally Posted by Goofy

A serious question, from a male who helps to coach a team that is gaining several females- I've heard that the coach should know the cycle of each of the female athletes and be able to make individual training adjustments accordingly.

Would you ladies agree or disagree with this? And if you agree, if your coach approached you with this request would you really be willing to provide the information or would it be 'too personal' or 'embarrassing'?

I don't think it's necessary, but I could see it as helpful. I would provide the information but I tend to not be shy about these things.

Perhaps the best approach might be to have them record training notes and include their cycle info. As noted above, some women notice a difference and others don't.

[Peach]

I'd probably tell my coach it was none of his dern business. It's always a good idea for a coach to know his or her individual athletes well, but probably for most athletes this kind of information is moot. I would ask your athletes if it there is anything you need to know about their health and anything that might affect their performance. That would gather information about PMS but it would also let you know about asthma, hypoglycemia, or diabetes, which are far more significant in performance.

[Fencergrl]

Originally Posted by Fencergrl

Not a bad idea. I use visualization, so capturing the moment as best I can and using it in my visualizations prior to competitions would be helpful.

I have a notebook that I use to record information on my competitors (what works, what doesn't) I read this before competing; I will add my own fencing visualizations as well.

As some of the coaches on F-Net are curious if I have any success with this. I will also post my notes in my journal. I am only fencing once a week due to injuries, but in the fall it will be more frequent.

[pacer]

I just found this thread. Can't say I ever noticed any difference re PMS although I can remember skipping lessons due to cramps. As the "bandana" thread makes me note, I've never been quite so uncomfortably hot and sweaty as when having a power surge (re hot flash) while fencing foil this summer. There simply isn't enough air conditioning. (Although it can make for a good laugh with my friends.... one of whom is trying to market a board game she developed named "Hot Flash".)

[Fencergrl]

You know what my older sisters have found have really helped with hot flashes? Increasing the amount of tofu and soya milk in your diet. You don't have to take much, just 1/4 to 1/2 cup of soya milk a day seems to do the trick.

You don't even notice soft tofu in a smoothie, and a block lasts about a week.

[swordwench]

Originally Posted by Goofy

A serious question, from a male who helps to coach a team that is gaining several females- I've heard that it is a good idea for the coach to know the cycle of each of the female athletes and be able to make individual training adjustments accordingly.

Would you ladies agree or disagree with this? And if you agree, if your coach approached you with this request would you really be willing to provide the information or would it be 'too personal' or 'embarrassing'?

Hmm... since I do actually feel a big difference in my performance during different phases of my cycle, I wouldn't care if he knew or not, and it might explain a lot to him. I remember being at a tournament last winter with my last coach, who was concerned about my lack of focus and obvious discomfort. I explained that I had just gotten my period the night before, and I felt like death warmed over, but what was I gonna do? He seemed amazed I'd left the house, and understood about the focus problem.

You also have to understand that I'm coming from a very different place from some (especially younger, more modest) women. Once you've given birth in the presence of a roomful of strangers - including an entire class of medical students - and breastfed in every possible location - think Burger King play area, Old Navy - you tend to not care at all who knows what about your body anymore. Modesty is no longer an issue for me.

[Peach]

I'm with you on the birth thing--it tends to reduce your modesty something remarkable to be wheeled down a public hospital corridor with several people standing between your wide-spread legs pushing the cart, shouting, and having an argument over whether you're ready to go or not.

Many people are very modest about their menses, and there's a historical precedent of "uncleanliness" which makes it a reasonable fear. However, my reluctance to encourage asking about a female student's monthly cycle is not a matter of modesty but of assumptions based on sex. Oddly enough, a great number of women experience no effect on performance, and to assume that there must be an effect is an overgeneralization.

[Pauli]

actually back to the basic question:
will there be a women's section or not? or will this thread be the (if it hasn't already become) the women's section?

just wondering.......

[Fencergrl]

I don't know. I was under the impression that Craig was going to do it.
Perhaps he's just busy, perhaps he forgot. Perhaps he decided against it.
I don't know.