SHould I compete in nationals?

Question

I am 21 and have been doing karate since I was a kid. But now real life is getting in the way, school, work, family, etc. and I really have had no time or energy to train in the past 2 months. My job is also physically demanding and my knees and ankles bother me. I really dont want to miss nationals even though I haven't had time to train. It is in 2 weeks and I still haven't started training and will only have a few days free to train. WHat should I do? Should I go even if Im out of shape?

Answer 1

you might aswell what do your really have to lose just because you had a short break in training. u might not go aswell as if you had been training but you dont really know how well you go till you get there.

Answer 2

This is a pretty tough question...

In reality, if you had to fight tonight on the street, your "life" problems won't matter. Does your karate work or not?

But, the Nationals (I am guessing Canada's NKF) has a lot of young people competing and training pretty hard - so they are very quick. That speed advantage can be very tough to overcome in a point sparring scenario. (And again I am guessing for kumite versus kata... If it is kata - sharpness over "flavour" or style in kata is a common judging tendency, so again, the person training hard has a slight advantage...)

Then, there are the questions of who is paying for your trip. Is it wise to "waste" the money of your province if you are not ready? Will that affect your standing and perhaps your chances next year? On the other hand, will cancelling this year affect your standing and chances next year? You should ask your coaches with this one.

Next, how about your image among your peers and how it reflects on your sensei? If your teacher is fine with it, then it is ok to compete at less than your best. If your teammates want you there, then why not? These are all things you should ask your teachers, coaches and teammates.

I would tend to say that since you are only 21, you should miss this year. Apologize and explain your situation. Avoid wasting people's money and time and use this as a lesson to find a way to manage your time better. Most athletes are able to find the necessary balance. You are only 21, right? I am guessing you don't have kids etc, so your time problem is likely just a matter of poor management. You have mnay many years ahead of you, learn now how to fit karate into your busy life before you have kids, before you are a manager working 12-14-16 hours a day 6 days a week. (And then going home to change diapers, cook dinner, do laundry, and rush off to teach a karate class... suddenly Sensei gains another level of resect doesn't he/she?)

Wow, I better stop there...

Too long as it is...