To say I was on cloud nine was an understatement. But, my trip wasn't over yet, and in reality, had just begun. I still had 8-ball singles, 9-ball women's teams, and 8-ball women's teams to play.
My first Women's 8-Ball Advanced Singles match was at noon. Because I'm still on Texas time, I get up real early again. I had so much time before I played, that I walked the entire way from Harrah's to the Tropicana (a full 45 minute crisp walk), with enough time to rest and cool-off an hour before my match started.
My view, walking the strip that morning.
I wrote already how in my very first match, my opponent might have psyched herself out accidentally, by asking me questions. I won that match 7-2. I thought I felt pretty good, even though the race to 7 is tough and daunting.
The Advanced women's division race to 7 (we are all ACS Master and ACS Advanced players). I have to admit, I was SPENT already. I used a lot of mental energy playing in the 9-Ball singles event and I didn't know just how mentally tired I really was until my second match.
Next, I played a girl I recognized, but not sure from where. I could tell I was the better player, but I didn't play well anymore for some reason. I was missing kinda easy shots that I was nailing the day before. And I admit, she would get out from nowhere and I definitely second guessed her ability. But, I was so mentally taxed, I didn't put up a fight. I tried, but I just could barely function. It was brutal.
I guess this is what Joe Salazar was talking about. Physical and Mental exhaustion are for sure two different things.
Kinda remind me of a couple of examples. When you are hungover, you can still play pool for some reason right? Obviously not as well if you were well-rested, but still function-able. But when we mental exhaustion is tougher to overcome.
I was mentally exhausted from the long weekend to even make simply shots and safes. I was drained!
Before I even lost that match, I decided to not even stick around to play my next match. Yep. I forfeited. Yep. Me.
I was disappointed I even thought of it. But, my next match wasn't until 6pm. If I won that, then 8pm. Then come back the next day. I didn't think I could overcome my mental exhaustion in 3 hours anyway, and I honestly would rather rest up for a day and a half to be very well-prepared and well-rested for my women's team event that would be 3-days long. Plus, they depended on me and I wanted to be in tip-top shape for them - not mentally or physically exhausted. Resting up meant more to me than trying to race to 7 in 8-ball. DANG that's a long freaking race!
I honestly don't think I can give my all to both events. It's just mentally tough. It may not seem like a lot, but 4 full days of constant competition really is. Not a lot of breaks. And long, tough races.
Not sure if I will do this next year.
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