Days 114, 115, 116, 117, 118 and 119 - Well it was all looking so easy.
Indeed, I was worried the thread kinda peaked too early with the 24 hour thing. All throughout the 4 months, it was never looking certain if I would manage or not. After last Saturday, that all changed. Bookies were no longer taking bets, the remaining tournaments looked like they'd be a walk in the park. I even made a decision to not update the last week, thought it might build up a bit of much needed tension. >:?
Just like it was at the beginning, so it is at the end. After putting together a good long string of positive results, all of a sudden the wheels have come off. I know there will be downswings of course, but I'll confess to falling into the trap of believing I was invincible (again).
Perhaps a certain amount of complacency kicked in. On day 114 I took it easy, playing next to hee-haw. There followed on Days 115 and 116 two disatorous sessions where I couldn't seem to buy a 1st place. I became discouraged and had to gear down the next couple of days. I couldn't seem to play much at all without getting uncharacteristically frustrated and having to pause.
Yesterday, I still had 260 to complete. This has probably been the longest week of the challenge and today was definately the longest day. I had to physically force myself to play. I think I'm just fed up of the things.
So I was fed up and pissed off. Every gambling book ever written (even that hack, John Patrick's works) advises doing the same thing when in this frame of mind (Stop fookin playin!).
Alas, that was a course of action I could not afford to take. To get the job done I simply had to put in a 14 hour sesh to leave me an attainable target for Day 120.
At one point we were $3k down from where we since the last update. That sesh was 10 times harder for me than the 24 stint. I had to keep going, but at the same time didn't have to keep going (if that makes any sense?)
There will probably be those who think I've got my priorities a bit skewed. To them I'd say this...
"You don't understaaaaaaand"
By that I mean, it's been such a long grueling journey, how could I look myself in the mirror (something I love to do, according to the bus) if I bailed out now. Sooooooo close to the end.
I think I managed to sorta keep it together, there was an encouraging late rally of the score.
Days 114, 115, 116, 117, 118 and 119 Results : -$1,612 (+$16,996 total)
ROI : 7.2% (after 3,878 flippin sit n gos)
RDRR : 122 ( Act V, Scene VII )
I have a
real tournament to play tonight, Mad Marty's £150 freezeout at Cincinnatis. As soon as I've finished, its off home to commence the remaining 122 tournaments. Although it's been a loooooong week, I think I should manage ok.
The final 5 miles of a marathon may be grueling, but once you turn the corner into Pall Mall, and see that finishing tape, you find those new reserves. (Or so I've read whilst my arse was sat in a comfy chair.)
Has it just been a shoddy set of cards, or am I getting fuzzled out with sit n gos? Perhaps a bit of both. I really wanna finish this on a positive note. The late rally was a good sign.
Officialy I'm out for 122 1st places, but unofficially I'll be happy with any result that ain't red to bow out with.
The PRO has already been booked for 6pm Sunday to see out the 4,000th, that's an appointment I intend to keep. I'm not superstitious but.......please nobody bok me by saying the 'c' word too early
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