How To Get Back Into The Sport!!! After A Long Absence

[simonweymouth]

HEY THERE ALL HOW ARE YOU? i'M AN OLD FENCER WELL NOT TO OLD 30 TO BE EXACT. A FEW YEARS AGO I STOPPED FENCING DUE TO THINGS IN MY LIFE AND NOW ARE THINKING OF A COMEBACK, IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WITH A GOOD PLAN TO GET MOTIVATED? WHAT ITS LIKE STARTING AT THE BOTTOM AGAIN AFTER EXPERIENCING THE HIGHS? FENCING IS A GREAT SPORT AND NEEDS MORE RECOGNITION, I FEEL IF I COULD GET BACK INTO IT THEN IT IS ONE MORE FENCER AND FROM ONE WE USUALLY GET ANOTHER AND SO ON AND SO ON ETC . . . . I'M BABBLING ABIT BUT YOU ALLKNOW HOW IT IS TO BE LIKE THIS . . . i HOPE TO HEAR BACK FROM PEOPLE AND ESPECIALLY ANYONE WHO KNEW ME FROM MY TIME ON THE CIRCUIT, SO DONT BE SHY GET IN TOUCH. ALSO I AM VERY HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE REGARDING FENCING AT ALL LEVELS. gLAD I FOUND THIS GREAT SITE, WELL LAID OUT EASY TO NAVIGATE AND WELL USED BY THE FENCING COMMUNITY. BYE FOR NOW

SIMON

[Black Jeebus]

You also happen to read like an overly-excited eight year old.

[Inquartata]

Welcome back, and your caps lock is on.

[jeff]

Simon, welcome back to fencing, and I hope you discover this wonderful new thing called "the shift key".

If you're out of shape, take things slowly, and also be on guard for conventions of technique and ROW that may have changed while you were away. 30 is pretty young, in my book

[Amadeus]

looks like my evil clone opposite is returning to fencing...

[bwoodward]

30? I started up again when I was 52. You should have no problem. Be sure you're warmed up before you start any incredible lunges.

[Black Jeebus]

Warm-up? What is this warm-up thing you speak of? Are you trying to tell me that I will have to start doing something to prepare to fence eventually? I won't be about to just hop on strip and go?! GODS NO!!!

[tbryan]

i'M AN OLD FENCER WELL NOT TO OLD 30 TO BE EXACT. A FEW YEARS AGO I STOPPED FENCING DUE TO THINGS IN MY LIFE AND NOW ARE THINKING OF A COMEBACK, IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WITH A GOOD PLAN TO GET MOTIVATED?

Wow. First, turn off the caps lock.

I don't have a plan to get motivated. If you used to like fencing, you'll probably enjoy it again. I took about 3 years off and came back at the age of 28. I was never great, but I've enjoyed being back.

My plan started with getting a gym membership. I remembered all of the people I wished that I had been able to beat years ago (different town, but still....). That helped me make it to a gym to do weights, stretching, and cardio 3 to 4 times a week for about 6 months. When the workout sucked, I just remembered the cocky fencers I couldn't quite beat. That helped me push a bit harder. Toward the end of that time, I also found an empty corner of an aerobics room or basketball court and practiced some footwork.

When I finally joined a fencing club in my area, I was able to start competing much more quickly. I've quit and come back to fencing several times before.) This time, it just took me a couple of months to start building up my fencing reflexes again. I didn't have to worry about being completely out of shape at the same time. I was able to jump back into competitions and do respectably very soon after starting again.

Or you could just join a fencing club and start going there once a week at first just to get a taste for it and give your body a chance to get back into it. If that's going well, you can start bumping up the number of days and the amount of time you spend on fencing.

Good luck, and welcome back.

[jrgunn]

HEY THERE ALL HOW ARE YOU? i'M AN OLD FENCER WELL NOT TO OLD 30 TO BE EXACT.

Spring chicken.

The best thing is to find a local club, get involved, and start fencing again. Just don't push too hard or you'll have a great time for three weeks, then hurt yourself and be out for a month. Remember your stretches? Do 'em each day and fence only once a week for the first month. After that you'll be fine. Despite what you may think, you're very much in your prime. (Of course, if you've added a few pounds, develop a relationship with Mr. Treadmill and get them off).

But whatever you do...just start.

[Feltan]

Remember, it is "points for" now, not "points against."

I still get that confused when I hear scores announced.

Regards,
Feltan

[Mr Epee]

Excellent, Simon we haven't met personally, but I've met quite a few of your former teammates. Most had nice things to say. Glad to see you are fencing again.

Hope to see you around here often.

For those who don't know:
Simon is an epee fencer from Australia. He was the Australian #1, during the mid/late 90's, and has been ranked in the top 50 in the world (it's been a while so I don't remember exactly.

[simonweymouth]

thanks for the message mister epee, even tho we havent met how did you know about me? i was ranked 30 at one stage in seniors but hey top 50 is ok . . . .. i like the bit where most had nice things to say but hey what can i say i was a fierce competitor and strong willed and this sometimes clashed with other personalities. anyway thanks fore the encouragement
bye
simon

[parryDoh]

I started fencing again the beginning of this year after not fencing for a few years, im also 30. I was really out of shape in the beginning. Very first set I done at the gym, for crosstraining, I thought I was going to blackout. Now Im in great shape, I fence 2 times a week, footwork 2 times a week, and one day weighttraining. And Im fencing better then I ever have. Good Luck!!! Its worth it!

[VELISARIOS]

HEY THERE ALL HOW ARE YOU? i'M AN OLD FENCER WELL NOT TO OLD 30 TO BE EXACT. A FEW YEARS AGO I STOPPED FENCING DUE TO THINGS IN MY LIFE AND NOW ARE THINKING OF A COMEBACK, IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WITH A GOOD PLAN TO GET MOTIVATED? WHAT ITS LIKE STARTING AT THE BOTTOM AGAIN AFTER EXPERIENCING THE HIGHS? FENCING IS A GREAT SPORT AND NEEDS MORE RECOGNITION, I FEEL IF I COULD GET BACK INTO IT THEN IT IS ONE MORE FENCER AND FROM ONE WE USUALLY GET ANOTHER AND SO ON AND SO ON ETC . . . . I'M BABBLING ABIT BUT YOU ALLKNOW HOW IT IS TO BE LIKE THIS . . . i HOPE TO HEAR BACK FROM PEOPLE AND ESPECIALLY ANYONE WHO KNEW ME FROM MY TIME ON THE CIRCUIT, SO DONT BE SHY GET IN TOUCH. ALSO I AM VERY HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE REGARDING FENCING AT ALL LEVELS. gLAD I FOUND THIS GREAT SITE, WELL LAID OUT EASY TO NAVIGATE AND WELL USED BY THE FENCING COMMUNITY. BYE FOR NOW

SIMON

Hello Simon,
wellcome back
The first think you must do is to take it slow the road...
First of all try to improve your constidution. Some running or swimming is good start. After two weeks of training with running, push ups, some weights, you can start again to make footworking.
After that your coach has the major plan for you.

[asg392]

My biggest problem with starting to fence again after time away from it was that I had reflexes without the muscles to back them up. As a result, I pulled my quad so badly that I was limping and unable to descend stairs for more than a week. Thus, I'd suggest some footwork and strengthening for a couple of weeks in advance of any sparring. Good luck with your return.

[esskreemr]

Start working out. Build up gradually. Do some training at your club. Then go to a competition. Once you get beaten soundly by the sneering 15 year old, that should be more than enough motivation to start training regularly.

[jeff]

Simon, as a strong fencer before, you know what it takes to get there. You're a few years older now, so you'll have to be a little more gradual in ramping up your physical capacity. Still - 30 is young!

[Falcon (XB :)]

Hi Simon,

Guess you'll remember a couple of lessons early in 2000? Pretty hot summer, that one. VRI has moved to York St, Richmond since then. In fact a lot of things have changed. For the better, I think. Doubt if you'll recognise me from back then!

Really glad to hear you're thinking of getting back into it. Been thinking about you. Elli was talking about you just the other night in fact.

Hope to see you round, man

D >^_^<

[fencer08]

Hi Simon, it's great to hear from you. I fenced with you on many Australian teams. We have missed you and have not forgotten you - in fact, we regularly talk about when you will return to fencing ?!
My personal opinion is that you would pick up the sport again pretty quickly.
Why don't you drop into VRI sometime (any Tuesday or Thursday night) and give it a go. We would love to see you.

[blackcard]

Hey Simon

You'll be surprised by a few things when you return:
1. how many of the old crowd are still there
2. how quickly it all comes back to you
3. how happy we'd all be to see you back (we need more good fencers!)

So grab your bag, head on down to VRI, and walk in. I can promise that you'll get a great reception.

Did you know Seamus got married last weekend?
From time to time at the start of Saturday squad training, we sometimes tease Vlad with "maybe Simon Weymouth will turn up today". So if you turn up at 10 am one Saturday...