This season is a strange one. So far it hasn't really counted. A strange thing to say about the Senior World Cup Circuit. But this is a strange year. The Olympics are now just one year away; Olympic qualifying starts in little more than two weeks. So we find ourselves now in our Easter break, a time for reflection on what has gone well, or not so well over the first four competitions and therefore what to take forward and what to change in the next four, the second half of the season. It is also a time to have a little break and to do some important training. During the competition cycle it is hard to change things between events as you have so little time, no more than 10days between coming home and departing for the next event, however the month now allows the opportunity to do things differently.
For my part I spent a week after Moscow refereeing and coaching at the Public Schools Fencing Championships with Brentwood School, an event the school won. I started fencing at Brentwood and enjoy going back to help out, especially in this the most prestigious of school fencing competitions in which the pupils fence all three weapons, epee, foil and sabre over the course of three days. The competition was held at Crystal Palace, the National Sports Centre and so I was able to do some training there in the gym and also on the piste later in the day with some other members of the Great Britain Senior Team. After that I've had a break for a week to recharge my batteries. One of the hardest things about the competition cycle is a lack of time for social events. Away each weekend and training in the evenings it can be difficult to stay in touch with friends, who of course have their time off when its my 'time on'. I believe it is necessary to try and maintain a balance so that you do not get all-consumed by fencing, at which point you'll start over-thinking things and make it more difficult for yourself. The little time off has also considerably helped my body, allowing me a little period of rest to get over some little niggles I had been carrying.
That time off all ended last Wednesday when I made my comeback at a brutal circuits class I walked into by accident, although admittedly it felt good to be back. And now I'm off to Spain for 10days for a training camp hosted by the Spanish national team. I'm really looking forward to it. Getting away and training in a different environment helps liven things up and the extra depth in sparring is going to be really beneficial.
After I get back from Spain I have 7 days at home to prepare for the Athens World Cup.
For my part I spent a week after Moscow refereeing and coaching at the Public Schools Fencing Championships with Brentwood School, an event the school won. I started fencing at Brentwood and enjoy going back to help out, especially in this the most prestigious of school fencing competitions in which the pupils fence all three weapons, epee, foil and sabre over the course of three days. The competition was held at Crystal Palace, the National Sports Centre and so I was able to do some training there in the gym and also on the piste later in the day with some other members of the Great Britain Senior Team. After that I've had a break for a week to recharge my batteries. One of the hardest things about the competition cycle is a lack of time for social events. Away each weekend and training in the evenings it can be difficult to stay in touch with friends, who of course have their time off when its my 'time on'. I believe it is necessary to try and maintain a balance so that you do not get all-consumed by fencing, at which point you'll start over-thinking things and make it more difficult for yourself. The little time off has also considerably helped my body, allowing me a little period of rest to get over some little niggles I had been carrying.
That time off all ended last Wednesday when I made my comeback at a brutal circuits class I walked into by accident, although admittedly it felt good to be back. And now I'm off to Spain for 10days for a training camp hosted by the Spanish national team. I'm really looking forward to it. Getting away and training in a different environment helps liven things up and the extra depth in sparring is going to be really beneficial.
After I get back from Spain I have 7 days at home to prepare for the Athens World Cup.
The venue: Athens Olympic Park. My destination: London 2012.
