However, I have one BIG problem with laddering, and I feel that its pretty much bound to the race I am playing (Protoss). I will lose PvP if I'm not in top shape in real life. Hmpf. Why? Well, it actually is kind of simple: one mistake in this matchup and you. are. dead. This is something that increasingly becomes a problem as I actually become better (not good, mind you) at this game.
Reflecting over this made me think of an old Day[9] daily and something Sean was talking about. I think he mentioned it in quite a few of them, but mainly in daily #100, where he speaks about his life of Starcraft. Of course the episode as a whole is really interesting (check it out if you havn't!) and all, but one specific thing, namely him talking about his practice routines as he wanted to become one of the best players was something that I personally felt made a lot more sense the more I practiced.
So what did Day[9] do? Well, basically he practiced with his shoes on, with his shoes off, in different temperatures - just trained himself to be able to play no matter what circumstances he had to deal with at whatever LAN or tournament he was going to.
I feel like this is kind of the way that I have to approach laddering, (and losing due to me not feeling in tip-top shape). I have to see it as a different form of practice (training), where my main focus can't really be to at all time improve my gameplay, but being able to focus and play "well" no matter what circumstances I have to deal with. (...damn you annoying headache...)
Leek out.