I keep having this "Failing ANW" dream.

[Ninja Chris]

This is something that's been bothering me for a while. Last night was the 3rd time I've had the dream, and it's really getting to me now.

I approach the Arm Rings in the middle of night, disgusting water below me. I'm expected to hold on while wearing Boxing Gloves, and both bars are going uphill (About a 30 degree incline) for quite a distance.

The fabric in the gloves prevent me from wrapping my hands around the rings, so when I step off of the platform, they start slipping out of my hands while I'm hanging. Eventually, I slip off into the water, pissed off.

Then David Campbell, Levi Meeuwenberg and Ryan Stratis do it with no issues whatsoever. Like it's a frickin walk in the park.

I think the reasoning behind the dream, is that I spent too much time training for Upper Body and Grip for ANW, and neglected lower body (Such as legs, which I've been working since last time). The dream also brings back the feeling of helplessness I had between the walls at ANW, where all I could do is keep re-adjusting my grip, and the end is always so close yet so far.

It's really getting frustrating having this dream so many times now, but I just wanted to write it somewhere I could put detail, in hopes it would go away.

[arsenette]

I'm sorry you are going through that.

It's fear that your dream will pass you by. I used to have that right before important things (sports AND non-sports related). The only advice I can say is just concentrate at the task at hand and make sure you are prepared. Your mind will do crazy things to you. Things like Sasuke have a tendency to test the mind of the person as well as if not more the body. I've seen athletes fail and normal people succeed. It's all about mental preparation coupled with physical preparedness. As for the dreams there's not a whole lot I can say other than that's the manifestations of your fears. It's perfectly normal Just know that you are doing what you can. If you know you are not.. then this is the impetus to step up training. Spend time calming yourself down though.. you don't want another ulcer.

[Straticus]

Dang man no way! I've had 2 ANW dreams this week as well! First one was about ANW being broken up into 4 parts now, first 3 stages were obstacle themed much like the actual competition and then stage 4 was back on the beach. The dream was about me doing well until one part and I blew it there but then every thing kind of did a rewind and I did good and moved on to the finals. Kind of like a mental warning saying "Hey, better keep training or this is what could happen." I woke up and worked out harder than I have in a long time! So it may be a bad dream but consider it more ammo to push yourself harder so it never comes true! Or try and turn it around and make it a good dream, lucid dreaming baby! But thats a whole other topic, haha!

[jfeathe]

It never fails that before an important test, a competition, or even a vacation, I have a dream that something goes horribly wrong.

Just think of your dreams as a comedy ;D

Really though, if you dedicate yourself to training hard, you'll perform well no matter what dreams you have.

And as silly as it sounds, a cup of chamomile tea before bed helps relax you.

[Oti]

I think the reasoning behind the dream, is that I spent too much time training for Upper Body and Grip for ANW, and neglected lower body (Such as legs, which I've been working since last time).

I don't think that's quite it. I think you're simply feeling regret (shame, even?) that you trained so much but still failed so early. It could also be a lack of confidence. Maybe you feel now that even though you've trained so much, it's not enough because it wasn't enough during ANW. The mind is tricky like that. Logical (usually), but tricky.

Then David Campbell, Levi Meeuwenberg and Ryan Stratis do it with no issues whatsoever. Like it's a frickin walk in the park.

This could have something to do with the fact that you all train and attended ANW, but they all did very well and you didn't. If I had to guess, I'd say your subconscious groups you with Levi, David and Strat (and probably others) because you're all on this "quest" "together" (training for Sasuke). That covers their presence and ease with the obstacle that you found impossible.

The gloves are interesting. Are you the only one who has to wear them? If so, maybe you also feel that it was unfair for them to do well when you failed. You can wish them well and support them all you want, and you can REALLY mean it, but if your subconscious mind thinks you got ripped off, that's it, end of story.

If you really want to get to the root of things, I would recommend meditation. None of that BS, sit down with your legs crossed while burning incense crap. Just get comfortable, chill and try to relax your mind. Ask yourself how you're feeling and why these dreams keep bothering you. Wait for things to come. Listen closely. See what your subconscious has to share with you.

Psionics techniques FTW.

[Ninja Chris]

Hmm... Interesting thought on the gloves. Never thought about it before. I couldn't say, really. For some reason, my mind wants to say yes, I was the only one wearing them, but then again I don't know.

Although your reasoning makes sense, I hope that's not the case. I've always thought nothing but the best from everyone, especially those three.

---

On a second thought as well, I wonder about the regret/shame part too. I always like showing my video to friends at work as well as family at home, but always get hot in the face when I fall. I've honestly never figured out why.

Up until ANW showed, I abhorred my run, and solely wanted the clip to put in my next entry to show how I've progressed. But once I had the clip, I slapped it on YouTube, Facebook, Myspace, G4 forums, here, my PSP... everywhere I can think of. But inside, I hate watching it. Each time, every time.

I don't understand myself sometimes. Anyway, figured putting that might help someone tell me why I do that.

[ansem120]

If you really want to get to the root of things, I would recommend meditation. None of that BS, sit down with your legs crossed while burning incense crap. Just get comfortable, chill and try to relax your mind. Ask yourself how you're feeling and why these dreams keep bothering you. Wait for things to come. Listen closely. See what your subconscious has to share with you.

I agree whole-heartedly. I have just made it a point now that whenever something throws me off, I just lay on the floor in my bedroom with all the lights turned out, listening to the most calming music I can find.

It's really amazing what a little relaxation and meditation can do for your psyche.

[davidcampbell]

I had a Sasuke dream once, never an ANW dream though. It's kinda hazy now but I think I breazed through stage 1 like it was nothing? But then I constantly visualize myself doing that in my waking hours, so it would make sence when I have a dream I would see the same thing.

Maybe you should stop thinking about (visualizing) how you fell and start visualizing yourself doing it the right way?

About watching your video: Yeah I get a little of the same thing, even though I did really well I see little things like taking an extra bounce on the trampoline in the open tryouts or and extra swing on the jumping bars or my leg getting caught in the cargo net climb in the semi finals and I'm like "No don't do that, arrgh you coulda had the fastest time!!"
And don;t even get my started about my Sasuke run, I just wanna slap myself every 5 seconds for taking my sweet a** time everywhere! And also for not warming up before my run.

Arsenette: Did you used to play sports?

[Oti]

Although your reasoning makes sense, I hope that's not the case. I've always thought nothing but the best from everyone, especially those three.

That was what I was trying to point out above. You can be supportive of people and honestly, truly mean it, but there's a little angry, jealous, childish side to all of us. Even if it never shows, it can manifest itself (such as in a dream).

Now, I'm not saying this is happening. For all I know, your dream means nothing and you're no different from anyone else who has reoccurring dreams. Who knows?

I'm actually kind of surprised at all the thought I put into your dream. I don't believe dreams mean anything very often.

And I know how you feel. I hate everything about my Santa Monica run.

[arsenette]

Jan 19, 2010 17:13:10 GMT -5 davidcampbell said:

Arsenette: Did you used to play sports?

Yep I was heavily into sports being raised a Tom boy (Dad was upset I was born a girl... so he raised me like he would a son..). I wasn't allowed to practice organized sports (meaning get into teams) since I was a girl back in the 1970's.. yeah.. seems like a world a long time ago but that was the reality. I played mostly Football, soccer, volleyball and because my sister was a track star I did track... hated cross country with a passion though.. LOL I also did some gymnastics when I could get in school early enough and get some of the teachers to spot me.

Back also in the 70's we had a lot of obstacle course shows that were all the rage and I would climb stuff for the fun of it and enter races in school trying to get around obstacles placed in our way faster.. but then they call it parkour now:p LOL

[Deleted]

I had a dream that I went all the way to the 3rd stage in the actual Sasuke tournament.

However, one strange thing is that I had purple hair.

If I ever get to go to Japan, I'm going to have to dye my hair purple, otherwise I'll get superstitious.

Its weird I know, but oh well.

-----

Hopefully, if anything good is to come out of your dream, its that you will train more, so that way you won't fail at any of the obstacles. I'm kind of in the same boat, (When I'm older) I don't want to be a wannabe Sasuke guy, who thinks he's like Levi, but really isn't nearly as good as him.

Every month that gone by, this idea crept into my mind more and more, till the point where I just gradually started training more and more, and still to this day, I'm training a bit more and more all the time. (Including improving my diet, etc.)

Weather thats jealously, or maybe I just don't want to be embarrassed, thats the fuel that causes me to train more. Otherwise my brain will trick me into thinking I'm a Ninja Wannabe, while I'm on the damn couch playing Mirror's Edge...

[Captain Obvious]

The whole haunting dreams and thoughts of "what else I should have done" are actually pretty common among hopeful game show contestants.

What I've found helps me is keeping small goals to patch up my weak points and an encouraging note of "Next Audition: Success!" on the refrigerator.

Our goals may be wildly different for helping our chances of getting on our desired game shows, but the emotional effects are probably similar.

[artyfowljr]

pretty much agree with what everybody said before me.
Also, the gloves thing could be about the fact that your shoes kept slipping, but not Levi's, David's and Ryan's. Seems the most logical thing to me.
I don't know how to help you, besides meditating a bit, but I thought about a funny thing: buy boxing gloves, and try to hang from a bar with them or something like that, then see what happens to your drems
Who knows.

[VxJasonxV]

FWIW:

The programmer's variation of meditation is "Rubber Ducking":
c2.com/cgi/wiki?RubberDucking
It works for some people.

Cliff Notes:
Place a rubber duck on your monitor and describe your problems to it. There's something magical about stating your problems aloud that makes the solution more clear.