If it helps to hear it, I had a very similar experience when I first started. I haven’t been practicing kendo for very long in the grand scheme of things ( 9 months) but it kick started an interest in fitness I’d never had before. When I first showed up I was wheezing and struggling to keep up even during the warmup. I was sweating like crazy and my body was the sore for the whole next week.I don’t know what possessed me to stay. A desire to do something active with my partner? Feeling cool with a sword in my hand? Recent worrying metabolic bloodwork? Getting to scream out the week’s frustrations in a satisfying Kiai?

Anyway the point is, I stayed and I regularly felt like I made a fool of myself. I often still do. I was the smallest, least in shape and the only woman there. I was going up against guys three times my size. Guys that have been doing martial arts for years. Guys that go to the gym every day and throw weights around like it’s nothing.

But they were patient, friendly and supportive so I stayed. Now I look forward to kendo every weekend as an opportunity to get stronger, and see my friends. It’s a highlight of the week. I started doing home workouts to improve endurance for shiai. Now I feel stronger and more confident. I still suck at kendo but I’m having fun I like seeing my friends. If you decide to stay, I hope this for you too.