Change of Heart

[madmanike]

No, no, no, this isn't about the Yu-Gi-Oh card. This is about mindsets. Specifically on how people feel about the difficulty of the course nowadays. After reading Oti and Sam's personal tales of their trip to the NW Fan Day course, it brings to mind the statements of what some people have said in the past. Boasted by many on the NW boards, the claim of "I'd destroy the course on my first try!" rang loudly across the internet time and time again. No, this isn't a flame or insult to anyone. What my ramblings here lead me to is this. We know that Oti and Sam train hard for this, as well as others. And after reading on how they had struggled through the Fan Day course, does this change how you feel about the course's difficulty. Did you think it hard to begin with and continue to feel that way? Did you think it not so bad, but have changed your mind of the topic? Or did you think it would be cake and still think that way? Inquiring minds want to know!! Ok, it's just my mind. It gets lonely

[Oti]

I still don't think it looks that hard and believe I'd do well on it.

I'm extremely disappointed in my run at Santa Monica because now people think that's how good I am and that's simply not true. Something about it messed me up completely. I was unfocused and held back so much and I have no idea why.

I distinctly remember my focus completely dying when I reached the Jumping Spider.

Anyway, yeah. If I can get the mental thing down, I think I'll do much better on future replicas and the course itself.

[Ninja Chris]

To be honest, the miniature course was exactly as difficult as I thought it would be. The course was nerfed, but obviously still presented challenges. I surprised myself greatly that I beat it, but that never means you're good enough.

The first stage still worries me. I beat the nerfed Spider Jump, but only by a hair. If it was twice as long, or even a foot longer, I would have failed. That worries me specifically. Even more so, because there is nowhere good in town I can practice it.

I do however feel, though, that if I was able to beat that Spider Jump, then there might be some basic hope for me to beat the stage. I need to particularly train on my endurance, simply because of the time limit, but I feel I can beat any of the stage 1 obstacles. Mind you though, I still greatly worry about the time limit.

The time limit is my greatest obstacle IMO. It will either make me, or break me. Knowing that I have a limit of how long I have, drives me hard. Maybe too hard. The CA timer is what kinda made me rush through the obstacles as fast as possible, so me knowing that Sasuke's timer is meant to cut you close (Where as CA's timer was just for fun, and obviously not meant to work you as hard), I would be pretty much sprinting the whole way. That would tire me down, and possibly force me to fail at the 2nd new obstacle (Avoiding spoilers). However, if I would be able to keep a clear mind and breath, I fear I might overdo the resting, and possibly time myself out.

As Leon and others have said, the course is more mental than anything. It's purpose is to destroy the weak. Well, if someone's mind is the weakest link in the chain, then that's how you will be defeated.

I'm hoping to train this link. ChrisKetchum has offered for me to complete in his YouTube obstacle course show,
Kouen Supiritto. Seeing his show excites me, as if I have seen/understood correctly, no-one has beaten his course yet, which will put me in the mindset I need. From there, it's more training, and practice. More Salmon Ladder, Bouldering, Pull-ups, and whatever else I need.

On a strange side note, I almost wonder if playing DDR will help my legs grow stronger. I played with Jason and Chris last night, and I woke up in the morning feeling a tightness in my legs. I don't get that same feeling for anything unless I am working out on my legs specifically (Which I haven't lately). Who knows...

[Captain Obvious]

May 10, 2009 0:19:04 GMT -5 Oti said:

I distinctly remember my focus completely dying

This is a classic problem with game show contestants. There is good news, however:

(1) It seems to be less problematic if there is some sort of "dry run" before the taping that allows a bit of familiarity with the emotions involved. The Santa Monica event was probably good experience for this purpose (among many other things, of course).

(2) Comraderie with others before the event is another great way to ease nerves. Add in the G4/JetTV group dynamic and friendliness of the All-Stars, and there ya go.

I'd say things are in your favor if you ever get on Sasuke, Oti.

[Oti]

Why not build walls to climb between like I did? I only have trees at the park to climb up and down in, nowhere to go forward or backwards.

I'll post the video soon, by the way. Just being lazy, really.

I agree with your first point, Captain. I believe the more we expose ourselves to this stress, the more natural we'll feel on the course.

And about your second point, it REALLY is! I wasn't nervous at all until I got onto the starting point. After that, I was nervous until I began. Then I forgot everything. Talking to Ultimask8er, BigBlind and the other people really kept me grounded and relaxed.

And thank you for the compliment. I figured people thought I was just all talk, now.

[davidcampbell]

The way I feel is that the combination of the mental focus thing, with the nerves of being in frot of a crowd and the fact that you have one shot at the course and if you make a tiny error it's like
"ok thanks for flying to Japan, have a nice flight home!" is where the REAL challenge is.

I think many people (such as Oti for example) could easily beat each individual obstacle. But beating every obstacle on the first try one after another, all 4 stages in one day with no practice runs or anything. It suddenly becomes a much more daunting task!

Also something I may not have mentioned is what a psych out it is to see competitor after competitor fail as you wait for your turn! Definitely encourages you to be cautious.

[Badalight]

IMo the only obstacle that I psyichally can't beat is teh Shin-cliffhanger.

now, there are others which I'd have a hard time on and would definately not beat 100% like the jumping spider, but I know I can do it.

Chances right nwo are probably 1/3 times.

And as David said, it's not very easy to beat 4 stages in a row, with a time limit, and without making a single mistake.

[joemello]

Fun note: I am not in shape at all (although I'm not fat by any stretch of the imagination).

If time was not a (critical) factor, I think I could clear most of the 1st Stages from tournaments 8-17, provided I clear the Jump Hang. I'm actually a little less confident about the earlier tournaments because of those damn barrels.

As for the new courses, I need to worry about obstacles 4 and 7, but other than that, I still think I'd be okay.

[Badalight]

Stage 1 is WAY harder than before, and stage 2 is around the same difficulty. Salmon ladder is hard but they lost the balance tank and the time limit is a lot mroe leaniant.

As for stage 3, I'd say it's actually easier now.

Or, the 14-15 version was harder if i remember it correctly.

Rumbling Dice > Arm Rings

Curtain Cling > all

Pipe Slider > Gliding Ring

Jumping Bars > new jumping bars

Body Prop > Devil steps and descending globe grasp

At least in my opinion anyway, I definately would have much harder time on the curtain and body prop than any new stage 3 obstacle besides the shin-CH.