switching clubs
So I decided last week that I am switching clubs, now I'm fencing for the New York Athletic Club. This was a decision I've been thinking about for awhile that was catalyzed in part by my coach breaking off from Fencers Club and forming his own club.
First, the decision was financial. I'm going to save approximately $3,000/year because of this. That is enough to get to three world cups.
Second, I like the training at the AC and I've enjoyed the times I've practiced there. Third, I feel like there is potential to have some good institutional support there, which is important to me.
Certainly there are pluses and minuses to all the clubs in NYC, the AC included. I wish we could all work together in a coordinated fashion and have one super-club that helps everyone. But that is a pipe dream, especially in the US.
I dont want to go into too many details beyond this on a blog because this is a small world and things get personal when they shouldnt be. It was not an easy decision to make, I'll just say that. I think I'm going to miss fencing with Lauren on a regular basis most of all. Having strong women to fence with is really important to me -- and of course she is a good friend as well.
I will also say that I emailed my coach to tell him my decision and to talk about the possibility of still working together in the future. It was a pretty long email and I also told him about my bike accident. His response was two word: "GOOD LUCK!" Perhaps he was angry that I told him this in an email. Perhaps he had nothing more to say. Perhaps he never cared that much about me in the first place. I'll never know. It does make me sad in thinking about the last five years.
But I'm happy with my decision. Now we'll see where it goes from here. First, I have a lot of recovering from the accident to do before fencing even enters the equation....
First, the decision was financial. I'm going to save approximately $3,000/year because of this. That is enough to get to three world cups.
Second, I like the training at the AC and I've enjoyed the times I've practiced there. Third, I feel like there is potential to have some good institutional support there, which is important to me.
Certainly there are pluses and minuses to all the clubs in NYC, the AC included. I wish we could all work together in a coordinated fashion and have one super-club that helps everyone. But that is a pipe dream, especially in the US.
I dont want to go into too many details beyond this on a blog because this is a small world and things get personal when they shouldnt be. It was not an easy decision to make, I'll just say that. I think I'm going to miss fencing with Lauren on a regular basis most of all. Having strong women to fence with is really important to me -- and of course she is a good friend as well.
I will also say that I emailed my coach to tell him my decision and to talk about the possibility of still working together in the future. It was a pretty long email and I also told him about my bike accident. His response was two word: "GOOD LUCK!" Perhaps he was angry that I told him this in an email. Perhaps he had nothing more to say. Perhaps he never cared that much about me in the first place. I'll never know. It does make me sad in thinking about the last five years.
But I'm happy with my decision. Now we'll see where it goes from here. First, I have a lot of recovering from the accident to do before fencing even enters the equation....