Physical / Mental stamina

[corinna2u]

Okay, I admit...this one is radical.

Go on a 4-day backcountry hiking trip and climb a few mountains.

You will discover stamina and endurance you never knew you had...and you will learn what 'tired' really means.

The mind will then be programmed to know that you have many untapped reserves.

I hiked a trail one time that has been my butt-kicker of all times...7 miles...7000 ft elevation change...

Fencing has never tapped the reserves that day-hike did.

[susanloper]

Hello,
I just posted to the Thinking and Fencing thread that my husband and I rely on a little can of tuna with some crackers and mayo after pools or somewhere in the middle of the competition when you have a little time. If I skip it, I can't concentrate and I get tired and whiny in later bouts. I'm 29.
Give it a try. It's no fair asking your body and mind to perform great if you're not giving them what they need. You can be in great shape, but you still need to fuel up at the right times.

HTH,
Susan

[fresfisher929]

What my coach makes me do for conditioning,
is first you have to find 20 meter space or so
then you sprint there and back
and then you sprint backwards there and back
then backwards there and back again
then jump as high as you can in the air ten times
then get someone to hold your legs and you wheelbarrow there and back and then sideways about 5 meters there and back
and then you do ten push ups with someone still holding your legs but you have to push your hands off the ground
then you karaoke down and back twice
then you skip there and back
and then skip backwards there and back
and then your done
all of this in 3 minutes
my best time is 2:35
the gym record is 2:13

then wait till your heart rate is normal and do it again
and eventually you want it so you can take a one minute break between each one

[Marcos]

thanks again, - early days but...

stronger warm-up with loads of footwork drills,
and stepped up the intensity of the club fencing

so far feeling good - comp this w/e will show one way or another


was going to go for a 4 day mountain hike, ended up having a BBQ and a few beers , so still have to work on that

[Catlady]

I was always told to get used to fencing tired because if you ever do well enough to get to the final rounds you'll be tired anyway. (not that I'd know the way I fence, but I'm 28 and know the days are numbered that I can let youth compensate for laziness and get away with it).

This is more mental than physical but one my coaches favorite--and oft repeated--statements is that if you are in that final bout you're going to feel wiped out and sore the next day whether you get first or second so you might as well fence hard and get first to compensate for the pain.

[three_hundred_fifty_five]

Originally posted by Marcos
Finding as I get older (I'm 28) that towards the latter parts of competitions I am increasingly tired and unable to concentrate

Any good keep fit exercises you guys can recommend?

I am an accountant so pretty sedantary lifestyle outside of fencing!

You need to add a cardio-vascular workout to your lifestyle. The lack of concentration is hand-in-hand with you getting exhausted. If you weren't so exhausted, you could be able to think more clearly.