Tag: sca fencing

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).

Hiatus = over

Aside from a few stray Krav Maga classes and my walks on the beach, I didn’t work out all summer.

Today I went back to the gym. Here’s the set list.

I also competed in a fencing tournament last weekend. I didn’t win any tournaments, and I had a panic attack after lunch, but I got back into the ring and finished strong. I did good fighting, and I was proud to watch my kids do good fighting.

Depending on my insurance situation in the upcoming months, I’m going to look into seeking formal treatment for my anxiety. It’s keeping me from doing the things that I love (things that keep me from being depressed), and my little tricks aren’t cutting it anymore.

All in all, though, I’m feeling pretty good. I think that being active and eating well will help. I’ll just need that extra nudge to be my best self.

Let’s see… I’ve been slacking with updates but not with exercise.

Last Monday I had a good Krav class. I don’t remember if I went to the gym or not. If I went, I did cardio.

I did go to the gym Tuesday. It was arm day. I cut my workout a little shorter than Nik’s so that I could run.

On Wednesday I did chest and abs and then went to Krav. That was a mistake. Conditioning was agony that day.

On Thursday I was sore, and we had company, so no workout for me. I skipped fencing on Friday because we had different company.

Saturday made up for it. I did a Krav seminar in the morning. Then I helped with a fencing demo in the afternoon and walked a 5K (in armor) at sunset.

I might go to the gym today; I don’t know. It depends on whether I can coax my feet into my sneakers. I have some pretty impressive blisters from yesterday.

On Friday I was up bright and early for a demo at Gulf Breeze Elementary. I got to fence on and off for 3 hours. I hadn’t fenced much since Gulf Wars.

After that I went to the beach and swam a lot. It was a fun way to cool down, even if I did get a little bit too much sun.

On Saturday I met up with Mike and Eddie for some Krav Maga practice in the morning.

I skipped fencing on Sunday because I was worried I’d be an asshole. I was productive around the house, though, so that helped.

Today we had a guest from out of town come to the park for fencing practice. Nik and I hosted him. He’s a lot of fun and a skilled fencer.

Today was my first fencing practice at the park since the panic attack. I only fenced one person, but I did good fencing and had a good time. I got to do I.33, which is my favorite.

Last week was Gulf Wars. Nik and I went and brought 9 students with us.

We rolled in Wednesday morning, and I and my students participated in the rapier field battle. There was some miscommunication regarding our orders, but once that was cleared up, we did our job efficiently on the field. We won one battle out of three.

On Thursday, I was a water bearer during the Champions Tourney and watched my leof fight well and honorably. After that, I signed up for the Women’s Tournament. I didn’t make it out of the pools (I was evenly split at 5 wins and 5 losses), but I felt like I did good fighting and stayed in my head space. I also got some feedback on weight distribution that I need to think about some more; apparently I’m over compensating and putting too much weight on the back foot now (where before I was too eager and putting too much weight on the front foot). After that, I participated in the Cut & Thrust Pas d’ Armes. That was hands-down the most fun I had all War. I received tokens from several combatants who fought with me. I actually had to be removed from the field to make it to court on time; I addressed my king in my armor and with my arming sword and buckler on my person. I absolutely love my I.33 fight, and I need to practice it more often.

Friday activities were rained out, so I did not get the chance to fight for Duchess Katrina at the Rose Tournament or do foolish and heroic things in the rapier ravine battle. I enjoyed taking time to visit with my friends, and I heard some things I needed to hear. It’s one thing to tell yourself you can’t do it all or be all things to all people, but having that sentiment supported by someone I respect makes a difference. I felt that telltale tickle in my throat, so when some of my crew talked about leaving early (Friday night instead of Saturday morning), I jumped on that chance.

Since we got home, I’ve been unpacking, ruminating, and fighting a sinus infection.

I still intend to take some time off from fencing to focus on Krav (one or two fencing days per week). CIC 2 is just around the corner. I hope that focusing on Krav while having the feedback I received last week in the back of my mind will make my fight stronger when I come back in June.

I lied in my last (real) entry. I went to Krav by myself that day. We talked out the lesson plan for the weekend seminar. Since attendance looked like it might be low, I bowed out. Now I’m working out when I can do regular classes on a weekly basis. It’s kind of a drive, but I need the practice – both doing and teaching.

I spent last weekend at the Renaissance Faire with the fencing club. I did lots of walking around and two fencing demos per day.

I didn’t go to fencing or Krav this week. I’m preparing for Gulf Wars, mostly making clothes for my students. We leave early Wednesday morning.

My spring break has started (as of the end of my office hours at noon on Thursday), but I feel like I don’t have any time off. I’m taking a break tomorrow to go to the beach. It’s too cold to swim, but I’m looking forward to having a nice walk and enjoying some time in the sun.

I get a great sense of accomplishment from doing these projects. They do bring me joy, but I’m also getting tired. Between sewing and school, I’ve felt like I’m just re-doing the same projects. It’s discouraging. It helps when I see a nice (finished) piece of garb that I’ve made.

I’m looking forward to War, but I’m also looking forward to the time after that when I can focus on Krav and school.

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.

Yesterday was leg day. Here’s the set list.

We’re on track to begin our next cycle in the program tomorrow.

Today was the shire birthday party. We had our annual shire championship. I made it through two rounds in the round robin, and then I had a panic attack. I have a lot of thoughts and feelings to unpack about this. It warrants its own post.

Tomorrow is chest day. My regular crew of gym rats will be there plus one. I’m excited.

Friday morning I met my fellow gym rats for leg day. The set list is at the end of this post because Tumblr is dumb.

Friday afternoon/evening, Nik and I drove up to Perry, GA, for an SCA event, Meridies 40th Anniversary .

On Saturday we had an individual tourney and a melee tourney. I went 4 rounds in the individual tourney, and I don’t feel bad about my losses at all. My team won the melee.

On Sunday there were several tourneys: an armatura, two single-elims, and a bear pit (plus a championship among the highest-placing fencers in each tourney). I do notoriously poorly in bear pits (statistically), but I did good fencing. The armatura was pretty good, but I found that I had a target on me during a few rounds (that’s a good thing). I went one round in the single sword tournament and two in the sword & dagger tournament. Again, I feel good about my losses.

I also watched my students and my spouse clean house and represent our school wonderfully. It was just a fantastic weekend full of good fencing among friends.

After two days of fencing, we came home and fenced some more. No kidding.

Tomorrow we’ll be back at the gym bright and early.