Walking my own path

Okay, so as of January, I'm a card-carrying member of the Chicago Swordplay Guild. Or I would be, if they actually gave me a card. Instead, I wear this awesome green shirt with the guild logo emblazoned on it. I'm a "green shirt," and it fills me with a sense of pride. On to the part that is driving me crazy. I am at the absolute bottom rung of the whole she-bang. Everyone else (a) has martial arts experience (b) has 3+ years sword experience and/or (c) is at least 10 years younger than I am. So, they're all quicker, more experienced, and more resilient. I am trying hard not to be a crybaby, but, man ... I do not like getting injured at all. I feel every bruise and minor injury keenly. Then again, they appear to laugh off the injuries as badges of honor. I think I'd rather make it into old age without permanently losing feeling in an extremity, requiring surgery, having muscles separate from bones, severing tendons, getting stabbed in a kidney (did I mention they all carry folding knives?), bruising bones, getting an injury that requires stitches, or explaining the origin of bite marks. I really want to learn medieval long sword as a martial art, and I understand it involves getting whacked occasionally ... but, damn. I've got to find my own path, where I can enjoy what I'm doing, be able to learn, but also be able to sleep at night because I'm not waking up in pain!