Author: fencingmarie

On Thursday I rested.

Friday after work I tried out my new sneakers on the outdoor track. The results weren’t promising, and I was super apprehensive about the run. I went to fencing practice that night and went over some basic I.33 with the class. I’ve also been helping CC find her fight and become more aggressive (because of her stature, she really needs to get in close and fast if she wants to win). I’m seeing some progress and am proud of her.

On Saturday I did the McGuire’s 5K with my friends from Krav. Michael and I ran together (and walked a few stretches). The ship in my identification bib didn’t work, so I don’t know my exact time. I know I crossed the finish line at 9:50. The starting gun went off at 9, but it took us some time to get to the start line. Unfortunately I didn’t think to look at my phone when we started, so suffice to say my 5K took less than 50 minutes. I’m okay with that. I spent the rest of the day hanging out with my friends, enjoying adult beverages, and watching the bands play. That was my last hurrah until CIC. No sweets, fast food, or alcohol until I get back.

Sunday I was super miserable and sunburned because I forgot to wear sunscreen (at least I wasn’t hungover). I spent my time getting ready for the week ahead and working on a project for my job. Nik took me for a Poke-walk at the nature trail around dusk so that I wouldn’t be further harmed by the daystar.

Last night was Krav night. Michael lost his voice, so Kita taught with me. We had only two students this time, so we each took one and went over some skills; then we switched to do some review. That’s one hell of a student/teacher ratio!

I intend to visit the gym after work today. I like the camaraderie of going with Nik, but I also know that it’s faster if I go by myself (he likes to workout for a couple hours at a time). I’m still deciding what I want to do.

Tomorrow will be one month to the day before CIC starts. To prepare, I’m going to do what I always do and fight (or study) for 30 days.

Tuesday’s “run” was terrible. I used the indoor track because it was overcast outside, and I knew that rainfall would stop me in my tracks. I’ve been working on pacing myself (I tend to run or walk – nothing in between), so that was my focus – go 30 minutes at a steady pace or with minor variations. My body did NOT cooperate. I barely got any cardio in because my legs kept cramping. Like I could not get to the aerobic portion of the run for the life of me. I left the gym and bought new shoes. I’ve been breaking them in the past couple days.

Last night was Krav night. We had another low attendance night. Michael and I talked about the class – most of our students have other things keeping them away on certain nights or for a given amount of time. However, we’re working on finding a sweet spot between teaching an active and engaging class and scaring away new students by overwhelming them with activity. It’s not easy.

On the health front, I stopped buddy taping my finger yesterday, and I didn’t wear a bandage on it today. It’s a little sore, a little stiff, but I think it’s fine now. I had my one-month LASIK post-op appointment. So far so good, but he wants to see me in another two months to make sure I’m equalizing the way I should be. For the most part, though, things look the way they should

Today is a rest day, but I’ll probably review some DVDs or something. I’m just over a month out from CIC. I think I’m ready, but ooooh boy does that not sound like a lot of time.

Last night was another slow night at Krav, We had only two students. I’m not sure why attendance is dropping and whether or not we need to adjust what we’re doing to draw in more people. However, two nights does not a pattern make, so I’m still in “wait and see” mode.

Michael and I didn’t stay late this time since last night was my and Nik’s anniversary (we ate terrible food and went to a late movie – no regrets).

Today I’m back on the wagon. I’ll be running for half an hour after work to get ready for the 5K this weekend.

My fingers are still taped together, but when I let the, breathe yesterday, I was able to move the injured finger a little further than I could the day before. #progress

Wednesday was a quiet day at Krav because of the holiday. Some of our students were at Ash Wednesday mass, so it was just me, Michael, and two students. We got to jump in during conditioning, so that was nice. We watched the P5 video and feel pretty good about our understanding of the content. At this point, we just need to practice more.

Thursday was a much-needed rest day.

On Friday, I went to the gym after work for a quick run (30 minutes on the elliptical). Then I met up with Tiny Nick! and Nik to go to the fairgrounds to set up the tent for Ren Faire. Then we ran back to the university for practice. We had practice and ate dinner with our students (I did some sewing) – nothing too outrageous.

Saturday and Sunday were Pensacola Renaissance Faire. I was present for two demos on Saturday and one on Sunday. I managed to smash a finger during a long sword bout (while wearing full gauntlets, I might add). It isn’t broken, but I am buddy taping for support for the rest of the week. I went to a memorial service on Sunday afternoon, so I missed the second demo and most of the take-down. I arrived in time to load the car and head home.

I think I need a weekend to recover from my weekend, but tonight is Krav. I’m hoping that moving around and doing some hitting will help me blow off some steam and reduce my stress. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed today.

Thursday was a rest day last week, and Friday was a travel day. Nik and I took a bunch of our students to the Meridian Challenge of Arms (which took place Saturday).

I don’t even know where to begin. Our “kids” fenced so well and were so awesome… they made us look really good, and they weren’t even trying to. They were there to compete and do their thing, but they were just so awesome at it. One won a tournament, two others made it to semi and quarter finals. Some were competing for the first time and winning fights I’m not sure I could win. Nik and I each got taken out of tourneys by our own students. It was an amazing weekend.

I can’t brag on them the whole time. I did do some fencing myself. Like usual, I didn’t bring home the gold. I feel pretty good about my fencing, but there was a bout that I thought I should have put up more of a fight for and another that I think I should have won if I’d taken some chances earlier on. However, barring one exception, all of the touches landed on me were by masters or my own students (and I managed to take out one of the masters I fenced). I can’t complain about that.

Monday was a bit overwhelming after having been on the road. Michael really picked up the slack when it came to planning class, so I’m planning tonight’s class to pay him back. I got to jump in and do some conditioning and cardio with the rest of the class. That was great after being in the car most of Sunday (and eating whatever I could get my hands on over the weekend).

Last night Nik and I went to the gym. We lifted, and then I got in a run. My goal was a mile and a half. On the indoor track, 8 laps is a mile. I managed to run seven, but I broke and walked the eighth. Then I ran laps 9-11 and walked lap number 12 (plus two more to cool down). Even with walking interspersed, I managed to do a mile and a half in about 18 minutes.

It looks like my Krav friends are doing the McGuire’s 5K this month. I’ve been curious but never gone since the run conflicts with Gulf Wars. Since I’m not going to War this year, I think I’ll give this run a try. I’m supposed to predict my time when I sign up. I think 40 minutes is a safe bet. We all know I’m not crazy about running, but I need all the cardio I can get before CIC1. Plus there’s a decent amount of drinking involved after this particular race, so there’s some more incentive.

Last Wednesday I worked out at Krav along with the class and then put in some extra practice with Michael and the Three Bears afterwards to work on P4 skills to get us ready for CIC 1.

On Thursday I took a Lyra class. It was all bodyweight – no cardio – but a fun challenge for me. I was able to do the moves and felt super proud of myself!

Starting Friday after work, my students and I helped with the SCA demo at Pensacon… in addition to regularly scheduled practice. Tiny Nick! and I met at the Bay Center to do a very brief demo and then cut out to go to UWF practice. My kiddo came into town just in time to go with us, so that was pretty cool. We also had some newcomers that night.

On Saturday and Sunday, we fenced intermittently more or less all day. Demo fighting is fun because you can do weird and flashy stuff you’d never do in a tournament. I wore my “Merida dress” with chain maille under, and that seemed to be a big hit. It’s important to me that little girls see that you can be a pretty princess and still sword fight.

Monday was another Krav night. I let Michael take the lead on that once since I wasn’t really prepared after my busy weekend. We stayed after and worked on a few more P4 skills. We’re almost finished working our way through that level!

Yesterday morning I got some bad news and stayed home from work. I slept a lot in the morning hours, but in the late afternoon, I felt well enough to go to the gym with Nik. We fenced with Tiny Nick!, lifted some weights, did some cardio, and then met up with more students and fenced a little more. When I was working out, I wasn’t so sad. I really appreciate my friends and students – more than they know.

Tonight is a Krav night. I actually organized the lesson and feel pretty good about it. February seems to be moving as quickly as January did slowly (if that makes sense), so I want to get as much floor time in as possible before April!

I’m two weeks post-op from LASIK. I can get sweat and tap water in my eyes, I don’t wear the shield when I sleep, and I’m allowed to enjoy swimming pools and hot tubs. I still take eye drops more than usual, but other than that, it’s a dream come true.

Monday’s post-practice Krav practice went well. Michael and I burned through four skills fairly easily (without breaking a sweat). Then we talked about pedagogy stuff and whether or not we want to pare down how much we teach in a given day. I’m working on tonight’s lesson now, and I think I have a decent plan going with two skills plus a backup if the class is picking it up quickly.

Last night Nik and I hit the gym. We skipped the rock wall but will be back at it next week. I thought hauling my body weight up the sheer surface might count as strenuous lifting. Instead, I did very light weights but with more reps. I can feel it today, so I’m happy with it. I also did some cardio. I alternated laps (walk 1 / run 1) and did my mile in 13 minutes while keeping sweat out of my eyes.

After that we met up with a bunch of our students (I think there were seven of us total) for extra UWF fencing practice. It was a fun day – plenty of goofing off. I mostly took films, corrected form, and hung out, but I did get some Valentine’s bouts in with my loaf.

Today I am one week post-op. As of tonight, I don’t have to take the drops anymore, and I can get sweat and tap water into my eyes. Should the occasion arise, I can now wear make-up. My next milestone will be 10 days, when I no longer have to wear my super high-tech eye shield when I sleep.

On Saturday I went to extra practice at UWF with Nik and Tiny Nick! I did a long sword drill that didn’t require me to wear a mask and walked the track. Of the 8 laps I did, I jogged 3 (not all at once – I spread them out). No sweat.

Yesterday we had SCA practice. Because we had a lot of new people, I got to do some mask-off instruction. I sparred with a few of the more experienced students – again in short bursts.

Tonight I’ll be back at Krav. I expect teaching will be the same as usual, but my practice time after class may be limited.

I rested a lot on Wednesday night and had full sight on Thursday. I still passed up on fencing to nap. It seems like when I rest my eyes, I end up asleep.

Today I went to fencing! I was a little nervous, so I spent some time working with new folks. Then I put on my mask and was able to see! I fenced Tiny Nick! and my reaction time was so much better.

I could do only a few passes because I’m not allowed to get sweat in my eyes, so i called it in early and then walked a couple laps on the indoor track.

Today was a good day.