Tag: fencing club

This semester’s #30daysoffencing is going rough. I’m dealing with some depression stuff, and this week, just in time for my birthday, I’m sick.

I had to miss a Krav seminar. I’m sleeping all the time, and I got winded putting on pants. I’m trying to rest up for Serfo (and my birthday do-over) next weekend.

Regarding my mental health, I’ve seen a shrink, and she intends to prescribe Wellbutrin for the depression and an as-needed anxiety medicine that I can’t remember the name of. I had my blood work done Thursday, so I should be able to get my prescriptions soon. I’m looking forward to enjoying my hobbies again.

Looking back further, Gatalop was fun. I did good fencing and enjoyed the melees. I talked to a Master of Defense about some of the hurdles I’m overcoming and how to work on that.

Fencing has been challenging for me lately. I don’t know if it feels like a chore because I’m trying to grind through 30 days straight or if it’s a symptom of my disease or what. I don’t know what’s next for me, but I feel like after Serfo and Castle Wars, I may need to take a step back (temporarily).

This morning I walked to the pier and back (I did on Monday too but forgot to mention it). Every step was murder on my shins and calves. I guess I was away from the coast for awhile because I am not used to walking on sand. I also went for a swim, but that was less exercise and more splashing around and cooling off.

This evening I went to fencing. I got to fence almost everyone at practice. I’m still readjusting to concepts like point control and keeping my weight balanced, but it’s coming along. I didn’t hurt anyone, but I’m also hesitant to come in quickly or otherwise be aggressive. I did short sets and took frequent breaks (legs were killing me – from not fencing or from beach walks?). I’m really glad to be back.

Last night at Krav we spent a lot of time on the ground. We learned how to get out of a choke on the ground from the side (we’ll cover a choke where the attacker is on top of you in the next level, I think). If you need a core workout, that’s certainly one way to do it!

Tonight the fencing club kids are coming by to hang out before leaving for Winter Break. I live in Florida, so we’re grilling out. In December. Be jealous.

Sorry about the non-fencing posts. I removed those so that I can stay on track here. Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Yesterday I did indulge in doing nothing until it was time for practice. At fencing practice, we ran through mock tournaments and took turns officiating. My students got to practice technique and also wearing all the required equipment and officiating. We’re ready.

The pools for two of the rapier tournaments have been published, so I know what to expect. Tonight Nik and I are resting, cleaning gear, watching find, and packing.

I’ll have my tablet on the road, but I’m not sure if I’ll have time to update before Monday.

Wish me luck!

Tonight Krav was cancelled because of bad weather, so I went to fencing instead. I worked with a student, and Nik worked with me on a hole in my defense. We played a game, and I experimented with tempo a little bit. I took a hard hit to the chest – not bad enough for paperwork, but it shook me up a little. That’ll leave a mark!

Yesterday I hit the gym with Nik and worked the left arm more than the right as much as possible. I figure if I’ve overdeveloped the muscles on the right side without trying over the course of 30 years, if I make a concerted effort to catch up the left side, then it should take less than 30 years. Wish me luck.

After our gym time, we did a demo with the UWF fencing club. The event itself was poorly organized but well-attended. Our students were awesome, as always. They were where they were supposed to be and doing what they were supposed to do regardless of how hectic everything got.

Even though I didn’t do my usual regimen of ibuprofen before and muscle relaxers after, I wasn’t in pain after the gym and the demo (which was short, I admit), so I feel like that’s a step in the right direction.