Representing My Country – The Climb #284

Wednesday 1^st November 2017

Unfortunately The Climb is going to have a little posting hiatus again.
I travel to Sweden tomorrow to take part in the premier competition in the swordfighting calendar and because of all the kit I need to take, I won’t be taking my laptop.
Never fear though, like my trip to Romania last month, I’ll be writing posts to go online once I return.
Today has been a good day. I went to the gym this morning and whilst I did a light workout, I’m feeling limber and ready to take on what Sweden has to throw at me. I’ve managed to shake most of the fatigue I felt following last weekend. I’ve tried to take it easy these last couple of days so my body feels rested and ready for Friday.
In many ways I’ve been a little distracted today. Perhaps that’s good. I hung out with a new friend today, just walked and chatted, and I returned home feeling very chilled.
Life’s feeling very good at the moment and I hope that translates into me fighting well on Friday morning. I have little in the way of expectations given the calibre of the fighters. Sometimes I visualise myself in the finals, but I know it’s highly unlikely (unless something goes terribly wrong with the judges).
However, I think visualisation is important. Last year Swordfish was all about knowing what I was training for. This year it’s about assessing my progress. I thinking winning it is a year or two off at best even if everything went to plan.
However, going there and watching the finals live, where the competitors and their nationalities get announced can’t help fill me with pride. I’m representing my country, and if you told me even 5 years ago that I’d be representing my country at an international sports event I would have laughed. If you’d told me that it involved any form of combat I may have died from hysterics.
But you know, here I am, 55^th in the world and I’m bursting with pride. I’m excited to face the very best in the world and learn from the experience. Because before I can win, I need to learn so much more.
I already have plans in place for 2018. 2016 was all about trying to catch up, 2017 was about edging ahead. And I’ve done exactly what I said I would. I reckon if I just stayed at this level then I’d make good progress in 2018, but in planning to step it up again, I’m really excited as to where I’ll be at Swordfish 2018.
I’ve stated my aim for next year is to make the top 20. That’s going to be tough. I have no doubt.
The thing is, some people laugh when I make these bold aims. They don’t think them possible and think I should aim for something more achievable. But, the thing they fail to understand is that it’s better to aim for the top 20 and fail by only getting to #21 than it is to aim to be inside the top 40 and reach #39.
Big aims need to be matched by big efforts, and whilst no-one can predict what the future will bring, I know I work harder than anyone already.
If you want to follow more of my journey, then be sure to check me on my social channels. Likewise, if you’d like me to expand on any point mentioned above, please say so in the comments.