Tag: sca?

Day 29

Since I was still very bruised from Krav practice on Wednesday, I opted to restrict myself to non-contact practice until next week. I went to club fencing practice and did 100 lunges. I also did the around the clock drill and worked on some footwork. Mostly I stretched and observed.

I think that even if you can’t fully participate, just being at practice is good for you. I didn’t really want to go since I knew I couldn’t fence, but I still like being around my students (my team).

We had intended to go to an SCA event today, but Nik is sick, so we’re staying in. We’ll be back at it tomorrow (he fencing and I observing).

Day 28

Today was my first SCA rapier practice of the new year. One of the ladies who used to fence with us is back, and I’m super stoked to have another day of practice each week. Some of the students from UWF joined us as well, and we had a new(ish) face – or maybe old-new faces, people who used to fence and are coming back.

I started with a review of hand positions and footwork, and then I did 100 lunges. It was a good way to talk about the mechanics of a lunge, hand placement, and recovery.

I spent about an hour and a half drilling, reviewing, and fencing, and then I put on my armor for the first time and tried out armored combat. I’m completely out of my element, but I like trying new things, so I’ll keep at it until it makes more sense. Everything I know about blade mechanics is irrelevant since we’re using rattan simulators. The pedagogy is also totally different – you learn by trying it out and figuring out what works. There isn’t a lot of instruction, so I have my homework cut out for me in the meantime.

Last night was my return to Krav after two weeks off (except for one fencing practice and practicing my blocks with returning combatives with Nik twice during the break). We didn’t ease back into things, either. We jumped in with full force to get ready for testing. We reviewed, but it was constant repetition with no breaks. We closed class with zombie drills at the end.

Testing is at the end of the month. We’d originally been told that it would be two weeks in, so I’m glad to have more time to prepare. I’m not too thrilled about giving up pasta, booze, and sugar for an extra two weeks, but I’ll be healthier for it, so I won’t complain too much.

All joking aside, it was a good class, and I’m looking forward to Wednesday. This test will be hard, but I’m confident that I can do it.

After the big test (read “In February”), we’ll be resuming the ladies’ class on Thursdays. I’m pretty stoked about that too. I like helping teach but not being in charge of the whole class. It’s a good day to work on technique, even if it’s mostly by watching and seeing which mistakes to be wary of instead of by doing.

In addition to training my ass off in Krav, I’ll be going back to UWF’s fencing practice on Fridays, and (perhaps even more of a big deal) I’ll be resuming regular SCA fighter practice on Sundays (teaching fencing and learning armored combat).

Here’s to fighting five days per week.

Boy, have I been busy!

Magna Faire was a success! I showed up Friday evening in time to prepare for Francois’ vigil (For you non-SCAdians, that’s when someone who is about to be presented with the highest award in his field sits in quiet reflection and invited people to visit and give advice and well-wishes. Also there’s usually some sort of food.). We went to bed at 6 AM because Francois is a popular guy.

I slept in a tiny bit on Saturday but was on the rapier field around 10 AM. I participated in three tournaments and did a lot of pickup bouts. I felt like I did good fencing, and the advice I got from other fencers was specific and helpful. I conked right out at an embarrassingly early hour and slept like I needed it until Sunday.

Nik, Francois, Lucilla, and I literally spent all day Sunday packing, unpacking, and repacking. I made it home around midnight on Monday morning.

Naturally, I went to Krav last night. I hate that I missed so many classes last month, but I’m back, and there’s plenty of fight in me. I need to train as much as possible if I’m going to test at the beginning of the year. At any rate, we reviewed inside and outside defense and then added knives to those actions. Knife defense is my jam, so I had a great class. I’m looking forward to Wednesday night; we’ll be doing ground work.

Other than that, there isn’t a lot else left to report. I’m exhausted but in a good way. Things should be calming down soon since everything shuts down for winter break all at once.

I have been ridiculously busy doing non-fencing things to get ready for my next SCA event. I did make it to Krav this week (after having been out for two weeks), and it felt good to be active and fighting again. I have a few bad habits I need to break, but other than that I’m doing well in class.

After Magna Faire, I’ll finally be able to breathe for a bit!

Day 26

Today I did 100 lunges.

More importantly, I went to UWF fencing practice and fenced almost everyone there. I worked with some young men who missed a lot of practice time and then had some fun with the usual group.

I have a fencer with something weird going on. I think it’s biomechanical. It seems like no matter how her sword is balanced or how heavy her sword is, there’s a weakness in her wrists. Her attacks are super wide. If you’ve seen anything like this, please hit me up. I’m at a loss here.

Yesterday I went to SCA practice in Birmingham. I got to fence with people I don’t see a lot.

After practice, Nik and I talked about ways to offer advice to someone who has been doing this longer than you have without being condescending. Everyone received us well, but it’s hard to offer help if you’re worried you’ll come across as a jerk. Again, if you have any insight, please send it my way. I love fencing, and I don’t want to piss anyone off or chase anyone away.

I’m really looking forward to this weekend.

This weekend I went to Castle Wars. The only one-on-one fighting I did aside from the prize fight consisted of pickups. Most of what we did was melee fencing.

My friend received the highest level rapier award one can get in the SCA (Master of the Order of Defense). I missed the vigil, but I was happy to fence with him in his prize. He told me he’s seen my “murder face.” I feel like that’s a step in the right direction.

I had the chance to lead a small army in several bridge battles. When we weren’t doing organized fencing events, I did pickups with several fencers I don’t see very often.

I’ve decided to revisit the lunge challenge since someone pointed out that I don’t commit to lunges. I’d rather that be a choice, not a limitation. I’ve always felt like I shouldn’t play the distance game because I’m short, but I know plenty of short people who do killer lunges, so I should adjust that mind set.

So I ended up not going to fencing this Friday either. I’m not going to post about going to practice any more. I’m jinxing myself!

Instead I hung out with one of my fencing friends from out of town. We cooked for the fencing club kids (okay, he did the cooking, but I chopped veggies).

Saturday I went to Panhandle Skirmishes, a melee event. My group brought a lot of fencers, so we split up and fenced each other. I think everyone had a really good time. There was a lot of good fencing, and I felt really good about leading my team.

The rapier program in the south is growing. I think the new faces I saw will be sticking around.

Tonight I had the chance to introduce five lovely ladies to Krav Maga. They had fun and felt empowered. I’m really looking forward to next week’s class.

Even more than that, I’m excited for fencing. Practice is tomorrow, and Panhandle Skirmishes is this weekend. I can’t wait to see my friends and on and fight some melee scenarios!