I dont mean to be a downer, but if you have not trained for ATLEAST 6 weeks, you will be in for some dissapointment. I dont know that much about the Judo Nationals, but I am sure that a martial artist competing at even the age of 35-39 in the nationals would be in very good shape. If you are not in form, do not compete, because you will injure yourself and hurt your pride. Wait till next year and start training now. If you do, Good luck!
Its not like I've been sitting on my @ss the whole time because I still practice and work out. I haven't trained though for going to a tournament though. I have been working and coaching collegiate competitors though.
Sishir, I respect you a lot, so let me just be honest with you. If you have to ask, then your heart is not into it and it would be best for you not to do it. I think mental readiness and commitment are two huge factors that lead to success in sports, and reading your posts here I am not sure you're mentally prepared for this even if you're physically ready for it. Just my $.02
I don't know why I thought it was at the end of May not April. I guess bigtexxx was right and I really can't read. I still say go for it. If you train super hard, and find that you can't work through the pain enough to compete once you in Houston, you can withdraw. But at least you will still be in Houston, and you will have some good hard training under your belt. Also I'm pulling for you to do it for the 30-somethings. I'm sure satisfying that wish of mine isn't the highest on your list of motivations, but do it for all the 30-somethings. Like I said it won't get easier to get into competition shape and compete later on. It might be possible, but not easier.
Thanks for your honesty. I think the heart / gut is willing but I'm not sure if the body is. If I just listened to my gut I would've kept on competing damn everything else. One thing you find out as you get older is the body just doesn't bounce back as fast so while I several tournaments last year I was playing injured almost the whole time. That said I'm about as healthy as I'm going to get now and am not looking to come back competing a lot. This tournament would be an exception rather than the norm.
Well the masses have spoken with a resounding yes for "Do it Your Wuss!" I had a training session last night that went pretty well. My body is feeling good so I've booked my flight and will be down in H-Town on the April 19th to take on the best in the US. Thanks for all of the comments and especially the honesty from those who told me I shouldn't do it. The heart is willing just have to see if the body will go along. Also when I'm down there I wouldn't mind getting together with some Clutchfans out there so I don't feel so isolated up here in the frozen north. I'll post something on hangout when it gets closer to the date.
