#PastebinMonday 05/17/2021 Talkin' 'Bout No Practice Edition

Hey guys, how’s it goin?

'I suppose I need to get back to practice if I'm gonna beat foxyman, huh.'

As first-world problems came tumbling down all over me—from treadmills literally falling apart on me to 'what you mean you didn't put in an order for that SIM card after I called?!'–those words echoed in my mind. Even with those thoughts, my motivation to play games, and my sleep schedule, really tanked. Every time I would sit down and have an opportunity to play, I would think back to what I did before my match with S1x. I put in zero meaningful practice before the day of the match and about one hour of warm up leading into the match. I averaged 8:24 over four races and set a new race record with only the tournament's second sub-8 V-Hard. (I also had the first back in the group stage.) Sleep-deprived, I ultimately decided to do the same again. One hour before my Winners Finals match with foxyman52, I loaded up my stream and got revved up.

First run, 8:49. Second run, 9:06. Third run... 8:09. Welp, I'm not getting that in a race. RIP me. Fourth run, 11:03. Good, I'm not getting that in a race, either. Wait, didn't my Tayman match have a 12:XX? Welp. Fifth run... 7:44. Dammit, I'm wasting my good runs on warmups! Okay, last run before the match starts and... 9:19. Okay, I think I'm ready.

Oh wait, I had 8:59 and 9:01 and got blown out. Now what am I gonna do? But suddenly, 8:42 to 9:29. Time to turn this ship around. Next run... 7:37?! That ain't normal. Game 5, 8:58 wins—with a 1:30 Bowser. Okay. Sure. Game 6, 8:31.

8:38 average. Third sub-8 of the tournament. Grand finals. I cannot understand this game sometimes.

So now either foxyman or FFRPro will have to win five races before I win four. We'll get to find out this weekend who will get that pleasure. It will be my last time on the mic for the tournament. Hopefully we get another great showing.

That’s my life story for the week. Until next time, everyone, thanks for reading!

--Cards