Returning Home With New Plans – The Climb #288

Sunday 5^th November 2017

Today was the last day in Sweden as we return home to the UK.
It’s been an amazing trip and I’ve come away really proud of myself and my accomplishments.
Of course, the attention now turns to the year ahead and the work I need to do. I’ve pretty much decided that I need to work on single rapier, not so much to get good at that in competition, but to aid my rapier & dagger. I think it’ll result in better threat and control of my opponent’s blade.
The other thing I want to do is to start studying the sources. At the moment I go to a lesson and absorb. I feel to improve I need to start to learn for myself.
Of course all this is on top of everything else I’m already doing. Whilst I’m sure that if I continue doing what I’ve been doing and only that, I’ll still see progress, I feel that to take myself to the next level I need to do extra.
Today has been quite lazy. We got up late, only just making breakfast. We then packed up and left the hotel. I’d opted to put most of my fencing gear in my luggage so to keep my sword case lighter (especially given I was transporting a couple of extra swords, including a 6 foot one). Some people were using the morning to spar but after Wessex Reading and the Rapier & dagger tournament on Friday I am completely spent. I think it’s the andrenaline high that leaves me so drained and feeling like I need to sleep for a week.
We left early for the airport but it still didn’t feel as long a wait as last year. We went to a burger place and had a late lunch, chatting until check in opened. My sword case got checked without any real problems, and then it was through security and onto the wait for my plane.
I don’t think I slept on the way home but the flight seemed very quick. As we came in over southern England I could see all the fireworks from Guy Fawkes night being set off.
We were through the airport pretty quick and then we all dispersed… some to the train, others to the long stay car park. I got the bus back to my off-site car park and picked up the car.
After struggling I finally managed to get my extended sword case into the car (had to move the passenger front seat forward as far as it would go) and then set off back home.
I was tired but thoughts of my victory kept me company on the near 2 hour journey.
Swordfish is over for another year. I felt I covered myself in glory this year. When I think back to last year the progression has been insane. It was a more difficult competition than last year and yet I find myself finishing amongst internationally renowned fencers.
The hard work won’t be done in the next month when I’m feeling motivated, it’ll be done in February when I question why. Much like my writing I spent most of the year feeling like I was drowning under the enormity of the task. And yet when I finally got there I saw myself excel beyond my expectations.
I have a plan for 2018 and I intend to train tomorrow night but for now I’m just going to enjoy my achievement.
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.