First of all I’m sorry for not updating my blog sooner, and it is only because of a push from Derbyshire Times that I am writing this one.
To be brutally honest and nakedly truthful I have been too exhausted to attempt to sit and write this blog. I’ve started to work two days a week and continue to train hard, but this is not the cause. Instead, I feel emotionally and psychologically drained and weary. The stress that has come with less than 500 days to the Olympics is almost more than I have found that I can bear.
This stress is mainly manifested by not performing, with the pressure to perform twisting my fencing style into a terrified rabbit-in-the-headlights style: a frustrating cycle. The stress is also magnified by the inescapable Olympic theme running through London and the UK.
The encouragement, passion and interest on the radio, TV, billboards, is absolutely what I would hope for (and what my sponsorship relies on) but I can’t deny it's not stressful to experience constant questioning along the lines of “Do you know if you are in the Olympics yet? Should I bother getting tickets? Should I get a ticket for the early rounds or the finals?”.
After a particularly stressful day of funding meetings and goal setting, I sat down to watch Coronation Street, eat some Chocolate and forget about fencing and the ‘O’ word before I had to go to evening training. Sounds like a solution eh? But aaargh, there, on my Wispa, smirking up at me, were those damn Olympic Rings teasing me and laughing at my thought that I might be able to avoid the Olympics for half an hour of my life.
The stress to perform is becoming ever more public as the excitement for the Olympics heightens. Today I got a text from my friend saying she got a leaflet through her door in Chesterfield with the words ‘meet and greet the amazing Olympic athlete, Hannah Lawrence’ at a Brampton Manor function. (I think the Advertising Agency might have something to say about that). All these moments cause a voice to scream in my head “WHAT'S going to happen if I don’t get in”.
But then I remember that all athletes who have ever made it would have gone through similar thought processes and that I’m pretty sure I am not the first person to have ever stressed out about having pressure to perform as an athlete. And now I feel silly for writing this whole post where I have moaned and felt sorry for myself, and not written about the last competitions
So - in a nut shell: have had ups and downs, with Leipzig A-Grade fencing my best yet and very narrowly losing to a Korean in extra time to make the Last 64, and getting knocked out of the team event by the overall winners, Estonia. Barcelona A-Grade: fencing terribly in individuals and not making it on to the team who then did badly losing to Japan. Finally, to Naples at the European Club Competition fencing for London Thames Fencing Club where, with the pressure dropped, I fenced like a praying mantis(patient and explosive) and loved every minute of it.
For a general update, I am 125th in the World which is currently not enough to qualify but I am moving ever further to the top, second ranked Brit in the World Rankings, and third ranked in National
Rankings. (for more stats
http://www.fie.ch/Competitions/FencerDetail.aspx?param=FEC61CE5E2D2DF9195E37082079DB6E )
Monday, 25 April 2011
Thursday, 7 April 2011
CHESTERFIELD
This week I was asked to be an honorary Chesterfield Champion and a promoter of Chesterfield.
Although this is a repeat of my first blog already, this is what I wrote for my profile on their website:
My name is Hannah and I am a fencer, currently living in London, and training full-time in the hope of competing in the 2012 Olympics. This is quite an unusual situation to be in considering that I grew up in Chesterfield, went to Brookfield Community School and loved playing netball and doing athletics at Queens Park Annex. Although my occupation is not typical of a Chesterfieldian, I have no doubt in my mind that it is my upbringing in Chesterfield that got me where I am today.
I started fencing around 14 years old at Wingerworth Fencing Club, who welcome, encourage and nurture everyone who comes through the Sharley Park doors, to embody and love fencing as much as they do. Their love of the sport (and their lifts to various national competitions) inspired me to keep fencing despite GCSE’s, A Levels, Pizza Hut shifts and the bright lights of “chez vegas”.
Brookfield also supported me, finding funding from Derbyshire Sports Council and giving me free use of Brampton Manor for fitness and the Sports Hall for lessons during lunch time.
As I moved to Manchester to Study Sociology at University, despite representing Great Britain on the International Junior Circuit, my funds began to run out - but Chesterfield provided for me once again. My friend’s sister’s friend (in true Chesterfield style) who worked at Steria Ltd (behind the new NHS Centre) offered me sponsorship after I became Senior National Champion, and opened the door to a whole host of new opportunities. I was then able to compete at the Australian Youth Olympics 2009 winning a bronze and gold medal, the Junior Commonwealths 2009, winning a gold medal, and The World Student Games 2010. I was then put on the senior national team and have competed at two World Championships and one European Championship where GBR quarter-finalled in the team event. I am now half way through my second senior international season, am ranked 2nd Nationally and have a world ranking.
With my move down to London in October 2010 and seeing the high standard of Fencing clubs in the South, instead of feeling deprived and disadvantaged growing up away from the centre of fencing, I have realised that without the community spirit of Chesterfield I would never have had the drive to achieve what I have, nor to keep striving to achieve, and I hope to promote my home town further in the run up to our own Olympic Games, London 2012.
Although this is a repeat of my first blog already, this is what I wrote for my profile on their website:
My name is Hannah and I am a fencer, currently living in London, and training full-time in the hope of competing in the 2012 Olympics. This is quite an unusual situation to be in considering that I grew up in Chesterfield, went to Brookfield Community School and loved playing netball and doing athletics at Queens Park Annex. Although my occupation is not typical of a Chesterfieldian, I have no doubt in my mind that it is my upbringing in Chesterfield that got me where I am today.
I started fencing around 14 years old at Wingerworth Fencing Club, who welcome, encourage and nurture everyone who comes through the Sharley Park doors, to embody and love fencing as much as they do. Their love of the sport (and their lifts to various national competitions) inspired me to keep fencing despite GCSE’s, A Levels, Pizza Hut shifts and the bright lights of “chez vegas”.
Brookfield also supported me, finding funding from Derbyshire Sports Council and giving me free use of Brampton Manor for fitness and the Sports Hall for lessons during lunch time.
As I moved to Manchester to Study Sociology at University, despite representing Great Britain on the International Junior Circuit, my funds began to run out - but Chesterfield provided for me once again. My friend’s sister’s friend (in true Chesterfield style) who worked at Steria Ltd (behind the new NHS Centre) offered me sponsorship after I became Senior National Champion, and opened the door to a whole host of new opportunities. I was then able to compete at the Australian Youth Olympics 2009 winning a bronze and gold medal, the Junior Commonwealths 2009, winning a gold medal, and The World Student Games 2010. I was then put on the senior national team and have competed at two World Championships and one European Championship where GBR quarter-finalled in the team event. I am now half way through my second senior international season, am ranked 2nd Nationally and have a world ranking.
With my move down to London in October 2010 and seeing the high standard of Fencing clubs in the South, instead of feeling deprived and disadvantaged growing up away from the centre of fencing, I have realised that without the community spirit of Chesterfield I would never have had the drive to achieve what I have, nor to keep striving to achieve, and I hope to promote my home town further in the run up to our own Olympic Games, London 2012.
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Trials and Tribulations
I said I would write about my trials and tribulations and the start of this season has already provided me with the opportunity to write about them.
Doha A-Grade (Qatar) was our first competition and with preparation beginning from the end of the Worlds (Nov) I was well trained, rested and psyched. On our arrival in Doha sprirts were high, swords were working and legs were fresh. Unfortunately the food at the hotel buffet was not so fresh and 3/5 funded team members were hit with food poisoning.
Although I didn't get through to the second day of individuals and was in no fit state to fence in the team event, there were some victories during the trip. Sissi Albini came 23rd out of 145. We came 13th in the team event and although this was a place lower than last year it was our most consistant performance yet. We beat Mexico, Japan and Canada and narrowly lost to Germany 42-45 and Sweden 41-45.
The second comp was in Budpest and again has provided us with more trials. Although our flight was on time and the hostel was UNbelievably plush for 15 euros a night (this comp, not including a team event was self funded), our fencing bags were not brought from Heathrow until 2am meaning that we had to go the venue early to put our weapons through security and safety tests and went to sleep unsure of whether we would actually be able to compete at all the next day.
Although I felt I fenced more relaxed and confidently than I had yet in an international comp we all did bitterly badly and none of us made it through to the second day (a dismal result not yet encountered by us).
Of course I can lay on the excuses thicker and faster than the Swedish snow but that is not my intention. Instead I mean to portray the psychological strengths we are building as an individual and as a team. Despite the setbacks we are not beaten in spirit and I can honestly say I cant wait to return to London tommorow morning and start the weeks training again this time probably with more fire to prove myself (although could probably do without the 6am flight!).
Doha A-Grade (Qatar) was our first competition and with preparation beginning from the end of the Worlds (Nov) I was well trained, rested and psyched. On our arrival in Doha sprirts were high, swords were working and legs were fresh. Unfortunately the food at the hotel buffet was not so fresh and 3/5 funded team members were hit with food poisoning.
Although I didn't get through to the second day of individuals and was in no fit state to fence in the team event, there were some victories during the trip. Sissi Albini came 23rd out of 145. We came 13th in the team event and although this was a place lower than last year it was our most consistant performance yet. We beat Mexico, Japan and Canada and narrowly lost to Germany 42-45 and Sweden 41-45.
The second comp was in Budpest and again has provided us with more trials. Although our flight was on time and the hostel was UNbelievably plush for 15 euros a night (this comp, not including a team event was self funded), our fencing bags were not brought from Heathrow until 2am meaning that we had to go the venue early to put our weapons through security and safety tests and went to sleep unsure of whether we would actually be able to compete at all the next day.
Although I felt I fenced more relaxed and confidently than I had yet in an international comp we all did bitterly badly and none of us made it through to the second day (a dismal result not yet encountered by us).
Of course I can lay on the excuses thicker and faster than the Swedish snow but that is not my intention. Instead I mean to portray the psychological strengths we are building as an individual and as a team. Despite the setbacks we are not beaten in spirit and I can honestly say I cant wait to return to London tommorow morning and start the weeks training again this time probably with more fire to prove myself (although could probably do without the 6am flight!).
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
When in Rome
Like Julius Caesar, I came and I saw, but the question is: did I conquer?
Just had a brilliant week of great fencing and even greater pasta in Rome, together with my team mate, Mary Cohen, (@fencingmary). Decided to go there to conquer the tensions and stiffness I get whenever my opponent is wearing a national kit NOT containing the union flag. Italy are currently ranked sixth in the world, and Rome being one of the best clubs in Italy, was a great place to train, focus on the season ahead and conquer my unjustified nervousness when fencing other nations.
Unlike British clubs, Rome fencing club has it’s own building within an Olympic sports venue and so is open throughout the day for training and fitness. Because of these “office hours” it certainly has more of an air of professionality about it. Both the fitness and the fencing is in one area, unlike my training which is split between various fencing clubs and Fitness First, and so the atmosphere they create is relaxed but meaningful and, more importantly, their own. Although it has provided me with some new ideas for training, in a paradoxical manner my greatest surprise was what I had really known all along: there is no magic formula to their fencing skills.
In between morning and evening training we got several opportunities to have a look around, and the hospitality of our host allowed us to gain true Roman experiences such as a midnight drive to the pastry factory and a real home-cooked Roman meal with friends.
When asking a twitter friend (@BudgetTraveller) –I have those now, you see- what there was to see when in Rome, I was told it was an open air museum so it would be best to walk around and stumble upon its history.
First impression was the contrast of modern graffiti scrawled upon ancient buildings, which suggested a lack of respect and a run down environment. However, the longer I was there, and the more awe-inspiring the monuments and churches I accidently came across, the more I realised the reason for the lack of red-tape and protection: all of Rome is still very much lived in, acknowledged and understood by its citizens in a very real way. The people of York are no more like Vikings than I am, but the Romans are still as Roman as Julius Caeser himself. Indeed, graffiti is Latin for “scratching” and refers to rude words scratched by Roman soldiers, so the graffiti merely confirms their roots.
So did I conquer?
They train hard, as do we, and perform well, as can we. Whilst this meant I did not leave Rome with The Answer, it has also revealed to me that, in the wise words of B.O.B (feat. Bruno Mars) “they got nothin’ on you babe”.
So Doha – bring it on!
Just had a brilliant week of great fencing and even greater pasta in Rome, together with my team mate, Mary Cohen, (@fencingmary). Decided to go there to conquer the tensions and stiffness I get whenever my opponent is wearing a national kit NOT containing the union flag. Italy are currently ranked sixth in the world, and Rome being one of the best clubs in Italy, was a great place to train, focus on the season ahead and conquer my unjustified nervousness when fencing other nations.
Unlike British clubs, Rome fencing club has it’s own building within an Olympic sports venue and so is open throughout the day for training and fitness. Because of these “office hours” it certainly has more of an air of professionality about it. Both the fitness and the fencing is in one area, unlike my training which is split between various fencing clubs and Fitness First, and so the atmosphere they create is relaxed but meaningful and, more importantly, their own. Although it has provided me with some new ideas for training, in a paradoxical manner my greatest surprise was what I had really known all along: there is no magic formula to their fencing skills.
In between morning and evening training we got several opportunities to have a look around, and the hospitality of our host allowed us to gain true Roman experiences such as a midnight drive to the pastry factory and a real home-cooked Roman meal with friends.
When asking a twitter friend (@BudgetTraveller) –I have those now, you see- what there was to see when in Rome, I was told it was an open air museum so it would be best to walk around and stumble upon its history.
First impression was the contrast of modern graffiti scrawled upon ancient buildings, which suggested a lack of respect and a run down environment. However, the longer I was there, and the more awe-inspiring the monuments and churches I accidently came across, the more I realised the reason for the lack of red-tape and protection: all of Rome is still very much lived in, acknowledged and understood by its citizens in a very real way. The people of York are no more like Vikings than I am, but the Romans are still as Roman as Julius Caeser himself. Indeed, graffiti is Latin for “scratching” and refers to rude words scratched by Roman soldiers, so the graffiti merely confirms their roots.
So did I conquer?
They train hard, as do we, and perform well, as can we. Whilst this meant I did not leave Rome with The Answer, it has also revealed to me that, in the wise words of B.O.B (feat. Bruno Mars) “they got nothin’ on you babe”.
So Doha – bring it on!
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Swedish Camp
This is a brief account of my recent trip to Sweden consisting of a satellite one-day competition which we took as a light start to the season followed by a five day camp with the Swedish and Estonian national teams. The competition was a bit of a disappointment with inconsistency in my performance resulting in my coming 31st out of 55, but also gaining good competition practice .
We arrived at the camp at what felt like midnight due to the early Scandinavian sunset and, seven Chinese buffet plates later (I had reason to commiserate), the five of us piled into our week's accommodation in the form of a log cabin made for three. Training with the Swedes (Estonians, a Kirghizstani and a Norwegian) was a fun affair of doing footwork drills to the rhythm of Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" and fencing to Metallica and Linkin Park.
Our free time was often spent in a (possibly, no I'm going to say highly likely) neo-Nazi cafe about a kilometre’s cold walk from the camp, in Uppsala as this was seemingly the only place for wifi and cheap hot chocolate. We also visited Uppsala Cathedral whose only significant feature to me was the St Lawrence door located in the East Wing.
All in all, the Swedish trip was a success, providing competition practise and increasing my confidence and fight for next time I come up against the six foot, blonde, gorgeous Swedish team.
P.S I am writing this in a Roman cafe and look forward to telling you aall about that too!
We arrived at the camp at what felt like midnight due to the early Scandinavian sunset and, seven Chinese buffet plates later (I had reason to commiserate), the five of us piled into our week's accommodation in the form of a log cabin made for three. Training with the Swedes (Estonians, a Kirghizstani and a Norwegian) was a fun affair of doing footwork drills to the rhythm of Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" and fencing to Metallica and Linkin Park.
Our free time was often spent in a (possibly, no I'm going to say highly likely) neo-Nazi cafe about a kilometre’s cold walk from the camp, in Uppsala as this was seemingly the only place for wifi and cheap hot chocolate. We also visited Uppsala Cathedral whose only significant feature to me was the St Lawrence door located in the East Wing.
All in all, the Swedish trip was a success, providing competition practise and increasing my confidence and fight for next time I come up against the six foot, blonde, gorgeous Swedish team.
P.S I am writing this in a Roman cafe and look forward to telling you aall about that too!
Monday, 3 January 2011
Christmas
So this was my first Christmas as a full-time fencer. No exam revision, no essays and no working Christmas Eve and Boxing Day shifts at Pizza Hut. What a blissful prospect ... but not reality. Christmas as an athlete has actually been one of my biggest challenges yet and has demanded all the self-discipline I could muster.
The festive season is largely about the excessive and unnecessary consumption of food and drink. Mince pies, bread pudding and mulled wine aren’t really required, but they do seem to be a vital element of the celebrations and boycotting them opens one to accusations of party pooping. Finding the willpower to avoid these things, together with the requirement to train throughout, is enough to make one reach for the sloe gin.
I won’t pretend I didn’t enjoy a massive sense of smugness sitting down to Christmas dinner after running 3k. However, my satisfaction was challenged when I realised the public weren’t impressed by my dedication. Instead, the few dog walkers looked at me with wariness, confusion and humour as I slid and gasped my way across the frozen grass and mud of Holmebrook Valley Park.
I did have a particular story to inspire me though - not only through Christmas, but over the next few years. Lance Armstrong went on a ride on Christmas morning and another one later in the afternoon. Then, on hearing a fellow cyclist was planning on training that day, he undertook a third ride in the evening, to ensure he had done the most training that day. Armed with this knowledge, he came to the start line of the next competition, confident that he was the strongest.
One thing is certain about “professional” fencing – it consumes your life in a different way from an average graduate job. True, it does allow for afternoon naps, but every other rest moment is devoted to either sponsorship and promotional ideas, or psychology and equipment checks. On the few occasions I have a chance to socialise, I have to watch what I eat and drink before retiring to bed early to ensure I’m well rested.
And Christmas is no exception.
The festive season is largely about the excessive and unnecessary consumption of food and drink. Mince pies, bread pudding and mulled wine aren’t really required, but they do seem to be a vital element of the celebrations and boycotting them opens one to accusations of party pooping. Finding the willpower to avoid these things, together with the requirement to train throughout, is enough to make one reach for the sloe gin.
I won’t pretend I didn’t enjoy a massive sense of smugness sitting down to Christmas dinner after running 3k. However, my satisfaction was challenged when I realised the public weren’t impressed by my dedication. Instead, the few dog walkers looked at me with wariness, confusion and humour as I slid and gasped my way across the frozen grass and mud of Holmebrook Valley Park.
I did have a particular story to inspire me though - not only through Christmas, but over the next few years. Lance Armstrong went on a ride on Christmas morning and another one later in the afternoon. Then, on hearing a fellow cyclist was planning on training that day, he undertook a third ride in the evening, to ensure he had done the most training that day. Armed with this knowledge, he came to the start line of the next competition, confident that he was the strongest.
One thing is certain about “professional” fencing – it consumes your life in a different way from an average graduate job. True, it does allow for afternoon naps, but every other rest moment is devoted to either sponsorship and promotional ideas, or psychology and equipment checks. On the few occasions I have a chance to socialise, I have to watch what I eat and drink before retiring to bed early to ensure I’m well rested.
And Christmas is no exception.
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Being a fencing "blogger"
I fence for Great Britain and - although I'm provided with some funding from UK Sport, I am raising my profile with potential sponsors to enable me to continue training for London 2012. For the most part, I grew up in Chesterfield which may be why The Derbyshire Times have kindly asked me to become a "blogger" for them. What an honour! A fantastic opportunity and a chance to put myself in the public eye! But hang on - what is a blog?
Well, an early memory I have of the term "blogger" is the comedian, Josie Long, putting them into Room 101 on TV. As a recent graduate of Sociology from Manchester University, I have written essays and dissertations on new social media and discussed the benefits and drawbacks of the internet in public discussions. I've read journals outlining the irreversible changes the world wide web has foisted on society and future generations. I've debated whether networked computers have supplemented or substituted real life, but have I ever read a blog, joined internet debates or been on twitter? The answer is no. In the past I only ever visited three websites: hotmail, facebook and thetrainline.
So now I am in the real world, engaging with businesses and media and ... blogging. All to follow my dream of fencing in the London Olympics 2012. This blog will cover the trials and tribulations of training full-time at a professional level, and the excitements and perils of travelling around the world with my four foot long fencing bag and my trusty team mates.
My name is Hannah Lawrence and I went to Brookfield Community School in Chesterfield. I was part of almost all the school sports teams and at my happiest running cross country in the mud and rain (although of course I pretended to dread and detest it along with all my classmates and friends). When I was about fourteen a friend asked if I wanted to go to a fencing club in Wingerworth and I agreed. But to my surprise, Wingerworth Fencing Club introduced me to a sport which I found boring and irritating. It didn't seem to matter how strong or fit you were, your opponent could often slip away from your sword and hit you square in the chest, seemingly by chance. Of course I kept going because I am not a quitter and spent most of the Wednesday evenings messing around with my friends and hiding from the warm ups.
Over time, the friends I began fencing with dropped away but instead of losing interest too, this gave me a chance to fence some of the stronger men instead of my fellow-beginners. Now I could no longer use my strength and win through a general sense of hand-eye-coordination and fitness. I had no choice but to understand the game and interact with the concept of swordfighting on a whole new level. And as I improved and began to beat the men, the satisfaction of winning became so much more rewarding. To cut a long story short (as I have been advised to keep my first blog to around 500 words) I went to local competitions, then national competitions, built up my national ranking to make the British Team, and am now a solid member of the Great Britain Epee Senior Team and have competed in many world cups this season including the World and European Championships. I now live in London and train full-time with the aim of going to the London Olympics in a year and a half’s time.
A bit of a jump in time I know, but I will fill you in with the details throughout my blogs and until then you can follow me on twitter for regular updates of the here and now at HannahELawrence.
And there you have it - my first blog.
Well, an early memory I have of the term "blogger" is the comedian, Josie Long, putting them into Room 101 on TV. As a recent graduate of Sociology from Manchester University, I have written essays and dissertations on new social media and discussed the benefits and drawbacks of the internet in public discussions. I've read journals outlining the irreversible changes the world wide web has foisted on society and future generations. I've debated whether networked computers have supplemented or substituted real life, but have I ever read a blog, joined internet debates or been on twitter? The answer is no. In the past I only ever visited three websites: hotmail, facebook and thetrainline.
So now I am in the real world, engaging with businesses and media and ... blogging. All to follow my dream of fencing in the London Olympics 2012. This blog will cover the trials and tribulations of training full-time at a professional level, and the excitements and perils of travelling around the world with my four foot long fencing bag and my trusty team mates.
My name is Hannah Lawrence and I went to Brookfield Community School in Chesterfield. I was part of almost all the school sports teams and at my happiest running cross country in the mud and rain (although of course I pretended to dread and detest it along with all my classmates and friends). When I was about fourteen a friend asked if I wanted to go to a fencing club in Wingerworth and I agreed. But to my surprise, Wingerworth Fencing Club introduced me to a sport which I found boring and irritating. It didn't seem to matter how strong or fit you were, your opponent could often slip away from your sword and hit you square in the chest, seemingly by chance. Of course I kept going because I am not a quitter and spent most of the Wednesday evenings messing around with my friends and hiding from the warm ups.
Over time, the friends I began fencing with dropped away but instead of losing interest too, this gave me a chance to fence some of the stronger men instead of my fellow-beginners. Now I could no longer use my strength and win through a general sense of hand-eye-coordination and fitness. I had no choice but to understand the game and interact with the concept of swordfighting on a whole new level. And as I improved and began to beat the men, the satisfaction of winning became so much more rewarding. To cut a long story short (as I have been advised to keep my first blog to around 500 words) I went to local competitions, then national competitions, built up my national ranking to make the British Team, and am now a solid member of the Great Britain Epee Senior Team and have competed in many world cups this season including the World and European Championships. I now live in London and train full-time with the aim of going to the London Olympics in a year and a half’s time.
A bit of a jump in time I know, but I will fill you in with the details throughout my blogs and until then you can follow me on twitter for regular updates of the here and now at HannahELawrence.
And there you have it - my first blog.
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