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I think I pulled a hamstring on Monday. It isn’t serious, but I felt like someone jammed a golf ball in the back of my leg any time I flexed it. I stayed off it on Tuesday and spent pretty much an entire episode of Arrow slowly stretching it out.

Last night I was still sore, but I went to Krav anyway. I  can’t afford to miss practice right before P testing. Also, the muscle seems to like being used. It hurts less today than it did Tuesday or Wednesday.

We’re still working on getting into that mode for testing. At this point, I’m more worried about being a good partner than I am about taking my own test.

Other than that, there isn’t much to report. I have the usual bumps and bruises (including a really inconvenient one on my elbow), but other than that, everything is gravy.

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.

Tonight Nik and I spent some time in the studio working on hand to hand combat. I’m working extra hard on my inside defense to get ready for my proficiency test next month. We had a lot of fun trying out different combinations, and I think I’m getting more consistent.

Monday and Wednesday were good training days in Krav. It looks like we’ll be testing in January.

It looks like I’ll have to make a choice: testing falls on an SCA event day. There will be another chance in February, but I have easily twice as many events in February as I do in January.

At any rate, I’ll need to train this month so that I don’t forget the material before the test. Don’t worry. I won’t neglect my fencing.

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.

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.