Tag: mca

The last few days leading up to MCA were brutal. It seemed like there was a ton of stuff to do and not a lot of time to do it, and then there were days when we couldn’t work ahead, so we had all this idle time. It’s hard to explain.

Anyway, I left off on Wednesday. Let’s get caught up.

Thursday: I didn’t have much time, so I did 15 minutes of cardio (elliptical with the mask on) and then met up with a handful of people for extra fencing practice. We all kind of phoned it in, but I fought a few passes with everyone.

Friday: We had regular club practice and then did a few hours of setup. We didn’t have time to go to the gym, but I definitely got my steps in (and then some).

Saturday: THE BIG DAY. I fenced every tournament that I was eligible for (minus the sword and dagger tourney). I did good fencing but didn’t advance very far. I did have some issues with fighting my gear, but I mostly stayed in my headspace. I had taken off and packed up most of my gear when the King and Queen came to me and asked me to participate in the championship tournament at the end of the event. I was honored and gladly obliged. Again, I didn’t advance, but I did good fencing.

That’s me on the right.

I took it easy yesterday. Today I’m headed back to the gym. Everyone in the club is pretty spent, so I think we’re going to check in with the club fencers and then go lift instead of fencing. My legs are really sore, so I feel like a day off won’t kill me.

In other news, I compiled a bunch of superhero-inspired workouts to share with my friends, and I took photos of some sample workouts from a book I got from the library. I’ve deleted BodySpace since it wasn’t really meeting my needs. We’ll see if compiling workouts helps or if it’s just another form of research rabbit hole that I can fall down without doing any actual work.

I ended up not stopping cardio yet. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical with the mask on and had an average heart rate of 144

After a short rest, I went to club practice. I got to fence with Nik’s mentor Mikolaj. He’s an extremely skilled fencer, so I felt like I was doing good fencing when I gave him a good fight, even though I didn’t make a lot of touches.

I got a lot of stuff done today (you know, like my real job and sewing projects and whatnot).

I went to the gym and did my 30 minutes of cardio with the mask on. I clicked up a level on one side. I don’t remember my average heart rate, but I am maintaining rigor.

Tonight I got tipsy and did some timing, judgment, and balance drills. It was not as much of a disaster than one would think.

I have two more real practice nights and one more extra fencing night until MCA.

Today, once again, I skipped cardio. I’ll do my 30 min tomorrow, and that will be my last with the mask until after MCA.

I finished a sewing project and did some mending. I’m trying to squeeze out one more shirt to sell at the event. We’ll see.

Tonight I went to UWF fencing. I didn’t fence a lot of people, but I did move around a lot. I feel pretty good about that.

I sewed fencing clothes all day. Nik kindly did some timing and judgment drills with me tonight.

We’re in the final stretch. I’m ready for the event to be over, but I’m not ready for the event to begin, if that makes sense.

This morning I hit the gym with Tiny Nick, Emmers, and one of our new fencers. We did chest & triceps today. Here’s the set list.

Our new fitness friend is used to playing team sports and is super encouraging. It’s pretty cool. I realized that I generally do individual sports in the vicinity of other people (fencing, swimming, etc.), so that was a nice change.

I also worked on some cardio between sets. I like the amount of time I spend at the gym and don’t want to spend an extra half hour on an elliptical, so between sets, I jogged in place, did box steps (since I’m too scared of jumping), and did some weighted walks.

My fitbit still isn’t acknowledging my physical activity, so I guess I’m still not doing enough cardio. I’m considering getting a second one that will measure my heart rate when I have a little more disposable income (maybe a Charge?). The one I have now (Flex 2) is swim proof, and that was a huge factor when I decided what I wanted. Now that I’ve had it for a year, I’m open to trying something new. Besides, I can always sync the one I have if I want to wear a fitness tracker in the water.

I wasn’t up for fencing practice tonight, so I didn’t go. Tomorrow I’ll work out again in the morning. On Wednesday, we start our 30 days of #fencingeverydamnday to gear up for Meridian Challenge of Arms. I’ll be ready then.

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.

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This week has been wild. I hardly even know where to start.

I guess I’ll start with skipping practice on Monday. I hate skipping practice, but my finger really hurt from being in the splint, so I took the splint off, took my pain meds, and rested.

On Tuesday I thought I’d get back into things slowly with yoga, but yoga was cancelled when the campus closed because of inclement weather. A storm system with a lot of tornadoes was headed our way. One of those tornadoes touched down in my neighborhood. I lost power for about 36 hours, but my neighbors weren’t so lucky. I am grateful for my life, my loved ones, my pets, and my home.

On Wednesday morning I saw the orthopedist. He confirmed that the finger is not broken, told me I didn’t have to wear the splint anymore (yay!), and cleared me to fence with caution (double yay!). I’m buddy taping most of the time and slowly and carefully working and massaging the finger to get my range of motion back. I still have trouble picking things up, and I swear everything around me wants to bump into it, but I’m seeing some definite progress.

I went to UWF fencing on Wednesday night and practiced left handed (and took a hot shower). When we went to bed that night, we had no idea how our weekend would go. Fortunately life got back to normal on Thursday, so Nik was able to pack us up on Friday, and we headed up to Atlanta that night.

We woke up bright and early on Saturday for Meridian Challenge of Arms (MCA). This was the first ever MCA, and the turnout was fantastic (over 60 fencers!). Before the fencing started, my longtime friend and mentor took me on as a formal student under the new rapier peerage. Then the real fun began! I signed up for every tournament, and I fought all day with my left hand (with my finger back in the splint and refused as much as possible to protect it). I had some really awesome fights. Then I had some fights that I lost and just couldn’t figure out how. Then I had some more good fights. Then I had a few more not-so-good ones. It was an erratic day, and at times it was frustrating, especially since I had trouble looking back and figuring out what went wrong (more on that in a couple of paragraphs).

That evening at court, however, one of my dreams came true. I don’t care if it sounds cheesy – it happened. I was induced into the Meridian Order of the Blade. 

If you aren’t familiar with the SCA and its awards, the MOB is “an armigerous [meaning it bears heraldic arms] polling order given in recognition of excellence in skill, instruction, leadership, and service to the sport of rapier, the rapier community, and the Kingdom.” In other words, a bunch of people I really respect voted and decided that I am on their level. I’ve aspired to this honor since I heard about it because I wanted to be part of that group of elite fencers. They recognized me and welcomed me as one of their own last night, and I’m just floored.

Today I have felt every movement I’ve made with my left arm. I try to condition both sides, but I used those muscles in a way they haven’t ever been used. I think I was having a decent amount of fatigue, but I was so hyped I didn’t recognize what it was. I’m home now, though, so I see a bath with Epsom salts in my future.

Tomorrow I should be back to my normal routine. Thanks for staying patient, and I’ll try not to be such a slouch about updating (no promises until after War).

I smashed the index finger on my right hand learning about getting out of headlocks on Thursday night, so bear with me. It still moved, so we kept training (falls and rolls), and then I iced it, buddy taped it, and went on my way.

It still hurt Friday, so I visited the ER for an x-ray. It isn’t broken, but I need to follow up with ortho to be sure.

Nik and I also presented multiple panels

and participated in a couple of demos at Pensacon this weekend. I fenced left handed and wore my splint (except on Friday – then I fenced left handed and hoped for the best).

My plan for the week is to fence rather than go to Krav to get ready for Meridian Challenge of Arms this week. Fingers crossed… or not.