Out of the Head, Into the Hands.

Tuesday was my first time back at practice since coming back from Pennsic.  I did ok, though my elbow is still twinging.

I've begun working with eight directional stepping.  Achilles Morrozzo refers to it as the Compass and it's very similar to the foot work I learned in my Gung Fu training.

I got some good lessons from Orlando and Owen on creating and managing what lines my opponent can see and how I'm exposing my arm during certain guards.

Tonight, I got together with Mike for long sword and messer practice.  It's been a while for both and it was a good practice.

Things are progressing well, but techniques and tactics are still in my head, having to be thought out, as opposed to being in my hands, where they are more instinctive.

Return to War

It's been a while since I last posted.  The tendonitis in my elbow flared a bit, so I decided to take it easy before my return to Pennsic.

It's been two years and a change in camps since my wife and I were there last. There were a few changes, but for the good.

We had insane heat indexes, turning an 84 degree day into a 102 degree mess.

First day of fighting was pretty good, myself and others held a ridge for the better part of two hours, stopping our opponents from flanking us and rolling into our backfield.

There were many delays and holds making all of this happen much later in the day and going on for much longer than it should have.

Towards the final half hour a combination of blood sugar crash and overheating took me off the field fro the day.  It was disappointing, but a lot of good work got done, our side winning the day.

Tuesday, I came back, feeling better and better supplied. Some fast fighting on the fly and another victory for us.

Good times.

Those were my only two days on the field.  My elbow was seriously over worked and we still had a camp to break down at the end of the week.

Since coming back, I'm resolved to work on better technique, better cardio and strength building.

There is a lot to strive for over the coming year and a lot of really capable fencers to push and test me along the way.

Early Birthday Present

I was waiting for this particular practice since last week.  Driving down to site with Aerosmith playing, I was feeling both nervous and jazzed.

I will be turning 48 on Thursday and I decided to set a goal for myself; a fight for each year.  Yep, 48 fights in two hours.

I went in and made my intentions known to everyone, no backing out now!

So it began.  Good fights, hard fights.  There were well earned wins and losses that were lessons learned.

In the end, I did not do 48 fights.

I finished at 50.

I'm exhausted and sore, and this is the best I've felt in a long time.

Happy birthday to me!

Tuesday Night

Lots of brand new faces tonight!  It was great seeing loaner gear and rapiers go into people's hands for the first time.

I had some good fights tonight, I decided to focus on my mobility and footwork.  Much of my Gung Fu stepping is starting to come back.  It is very similar to some of the European schools.

Worked up a good sweat, did a few melee passes.  Shower and crash time now.

Tuesday Night

Lots of brand new faces tonight!  It was great seeing loaner gear and rapiers go into people's hands for the first time.

I had some good fights tonight, I decided to focus on my mobility and footwork.  Much of my Gung Fu stepping is starting to come back.  It is very similar to some of the European schools.

Worked up a good sweat, did a few melee passes.  Shower and crash time now.

An Old Poem

I figured that I would open my new blog with a poem I wrote some years ago.

My Reflection or My Soul?

Earth and Air and Fire and Water, These birthed you.
Hundreds and hundreds of hammer blows, These shaped you.
Gliding ‘cross the oiled stone You first shared your voice.
The life giving killing edge, My sword is given life.
In my hands we learn One another’s language.
Cut and Thrust and Parry!
Hands blister, shoulders burn.
Advance, Retreat and Circle!
Legs ache, learning to walk.
Cut and Thrust and Parry!
Hands calloused, body stronger.
Advance, Retreat and Circle!
Bold steps, getting faster.
My reflection or my soul,
Which do I see in your sheen?
My reflection or my soul?
Stand for Justice, protect what I love!
My reflection, or my soul?
For Life, for Honor!
My reflection, or my soul?
Yes....

 Thomas V. Berger 2012