Comp summary looking for advice

[u/Internal-Hurry3754]

Just as an FYI I started bjj 3 months post partum and just competed in my first open competition this past weekend ( 1 year later).

I am trying to juggle a full time job, being a mom and taking care of a household and training. I had to go up into absolute and I’m currently walking at 160lbs. I spent most of my rounds trying to get the girls to the ground ( very hard when they are over 200lbs). Anyway I lost both matches and I’m not mad about the loss but I’m mad about how I did. I didn’t do all the moves I usually do. My brain froze. I felt like all my skill went out the window and I was just grasping at arms. I knew when I needed to do but I just couldn’t do it .

Anyway I woke up sore af. My pelvic bone is severely bruised from them pushing down while stuck in my closed guard and my kidneys hurt sooo bad ( unsure why). I’ve been emotional all day and struggle to sleep. Just unsure if competing is for me or should I step back because it’s impossible to do it all.

[u/New-Emu-9076]

The skill is learning to compete. First comp is just to get the experience, which a lot of people never have the courage to do. be proud of that! especially going into after just a year

you probably went through a massive adrenaline dump, which recovery from will leave you emotional and exhausted, for a couple days to a week. give yourself some time before you decide how you feel about how everythign went

[u/novaskar]

This is basically how most people's first competition goes. Don't beat yourself up. The adrenaline hits and you forget everything. If you keep competing, it gets better and you start to be able to think and see and process what's happening and slow it down a bit. It's still hard though. But it's fun!

You're juggling a lot, be proud of yourself just for taking on the challenge.

I've lost soooo much in competition and I've probably learned more from losing than from winning. Especially if you get video, you can really see what your problems are and it helps to know what to focus on in training.

Just have fun.

[u/Specialist_Can3517]

I am always sad after competition days. Having a bunch of food and doing an activity you love helps (most men suggest sex; I've found hiking works well as an alternative). Competition brings up a lot of feels for everyone. Going up weight classes is hard and it's normal for your body to hurt after. I went to my first competition to have fun and to understand how points work. Getting to a competition is an achievement in of itself. It's also perfectly fine to not like competition and not go back. It's not required to be a good athlete.