New Seasons for pain

The new year is approaching rapidly and with it the cold temperatures that have consistantly kept the attenance low at practices. I fought in my second tournament, this one a more high caliber than the first, and even though I did not make it off of my field, I felt I fought well and held my own against the knights. Down sides included an elbow shot that gave me trouble in my final fights and a bit of oil slick on the ground. Must focus more between fights, be careful of flat footing, and remember to rinse my mouth with water after fights for hydration.

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So Tired, worn out.

All the hard work. Practices, pell nights, and personal home fitness are starting to pay off. People are starting to notice improvement in my sets and today tell me I was kinda scary to fight since I can stand toe to toe with some of the chiv in attendance. I like the way that sounds. I do try to fight them well and improve when I can. Some day, when I grow up I'll be a knight; but for now I take slight awe and fear. It's all about the word fame right? I've got a long way to go.

Also: I suck at teaching. Words escape me, geeky scientist trying to teach fighting doesn't always work out. At least I can show them the movements while someone else narrates.

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Anybody out there?

Wow, the winter weather starts rolling in and there goes the attendance at practice. Both Thursday and Monday were sorely lacking in fighters, not enough to even put on gear (i.e. only two ppl and one of them didn't have gear). Off season my ass, the crappy weather only gives me more endurance.

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Concepts of a Fighter.

More of the head game from my Knight:

Think of three primary realms where the fighter operates, emotional, perceptual and physical.

* Physical provides the foundation without which perceptions and emotions do not matter. It is the process of mastering the physical that also allows us to master the perceptions and emotions. The physical realm encompasses our toolbox. More tools give us more options when on the job. We must continually sharpen the tools we own, while mastering additional tools to place in the box.

* Perceptual we develop through time-in-hat engaged in contests "that matter" to us. Our perceptions allow us to select the correct tools for the job, and to use them at the proper time. There can be an intellectual component that guides honing perceptions via studying the "body-language" of contests between others. This is not easy though and requires not watching as entertainment, but for analysis. Video is tricky too, being 3-D (width, height, time) rather than 4-D (adding depth) and lacks the perspective of the opponent (third person impersonal versus first person personal).

* Emotional is how our basic natures relate to contention, and our ability to make significant self-change. It determines if we get the job done efficiently, or at all. Uncontrolled emotions hinder our ability to learn when training, and give our opponents an unearned advantage. Lack of emotional involvement in execution or outcome leads to poor performance. Metaphysically - We could as well call this spiritual, I suppose, but spiritual can imply outside forces as much as internal forces - I see combat as mastering internal forces (emotions). The nature of your beliefs in external forces only matters in how it allows you to master yourself, and can be detrimental in self-mastery if it excuses making the effort (fate/destiny/this is my nature).

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Head Time in the Helmet.

Tonight I had some good sets with the knights in attendance and a good warm-up/practice drill with my soon to be squire brother. I made sure to keep myself moving, being smaller movement is a vital part of my developing style, to prevent crushing blows and resets during the fight. My goal is to keep my opponent on their heels and simply move out of harms way while setting up blows rather than fighting toe to toe. Small steps up!

There are a few things I need to improve upon. Upping the aggression, this will come with time and a little prodding from some pals. Others include more seamless transitions in and out of my opponents A and B ranges, more efficient sword recoveries, and remembering good form. For me exceptional form will equal good power and appropriate skill level for higher level tournaments in the future. I maintain my Squire Challenge workout but need to up my cardio to increase endurance. Running in the rain? need some rain pants.

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Welcome to Winter!

It may not officially be winter yet, but that doesn't prevent the temperature from dropping down or wind from whipping through the practice site. It's time for the winter long haul, freezing hands, numb limbs, and nothing to do but whine whine whine about it. HA!

I now pronounce the Fighter Winter Whining season open!! Please feel free to post those deepest and utmost desires to complain about everything and anything regarding weather, discomfort, and drudgery of dragging yourself to practice in those less than optimal conditions.

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Back to Basics

Fitness is of the utmost importance. A few years ago a Sensei, very traditionaly japanese, taught me that it is not only skill but fitness that drives advantage. What you lack in skill can be covered up by the frequency and athleticism. There is no restriction in your movements and thus, if you can not strick your opponent you can frequently moveout of the way until a clear opening presents itself.

I am resigned to my weights and cardio seeing as my ability to armor up is hampered by an unfortunately frequent necessity to visit cemetaries this month. Family first, but this doesn't hamper my ability to train on my own by systematically heading off my Squires challenge and hiking a few miles a day with the dogs.

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To Be a squire?

I was approached by a knight I sincerely respect to take up the mantle as his squire. While I can not ask for better, I must first step away from my Man-at-arms position to another knight.

The weather has turned cold, severely affecting my enthusiasm for suiting up in crappy weather at our outdoor covered practice sites. That quote "whatever doesn't kill you will make you stronger" is feeling a lot like one of those building character activities. I suppose my cardio and endurance will increase significantly but I foresee loads of silent grumbling on my part as well. I will resume practices as normal starting this week after a hiatus with family over this past weekend that was wrapped up with a memorial service down in California.

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slow and steady hits the pell

Off to a pals house for an evening of burgers, slow work and drills on the pell. The four of us did a few six point drills and discussed a few others like Sean's five point drill and speed rounds for other practices. Afterward we paired off for slow work changing partners after about five minutes to focus on control, form, tempo. I discovered a few bad habits like pulling my shield out of place and not returning my sword back to start. Small things but also something that can make a huge impact on the fight over all.

On a good note my back is alright albeit a little swollen and bruised. So long as I continue to use good form there is no ache. I've also a clear head now from the events of Tuesday night. The lessons I learn while training ring more true than they have before.

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Use and abuse.

For the past three weeks I've been a man-in-arms and until last night looked like the arrangement might work out. Being a vastly smaller and lighter fighter, than the grand majority of folks out there, I deal with being tossed around, shoved, pushed and upended a bit more frequently despite the footwork. However it also means that being Thugged can be a bit of a problem. While I loves me the thuggery there is a time and place and last night was not one of those times. My opponents lack of self control could have left me fairly injured last night had his blow landed somewhere other than my back. It was a good reminder of why we wear the armor we do and a good check on myself to see if I wanted to continue fighting in the future. I know my body can not take shots like that on a regular basis and stepping away may be the best idea in lue of that possibility.

On a lighter note I tested out my new arm armor, waxed leather bazubands, with great success! Lighter, smoother, with just enough difference to throw me off a little and expose some nasty habits that had been hiding the metal monstrosities. Had some decent sets with some of the other knights at practice and despite my lack of flow I hope that I gave them a bit of a challenge. I learned I need to practice shots with the new arms to rid myself of perpetual flatting, to stop blinding myself, and quit throwing single shots and resetting. I realized my mind set was not where it needed to be and my performance suffered for it. As did my abs for trying to engage them more. Fortunately, there were good friends and the soothing succor of drinks to finish out the evening.

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quick stop!

Quick thought: two days of intense fighter practice deserves a break.

Things To Look Forward To: new arm armor and the possibility of designing a new chest harness that gives me more protection.

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Journey to the North: My road show begins.

Yesterday evening I carpooled up with a few friends to the dragon's laire rose tournament. The format was three killing blows during the course of the fight, arms and legs counting as kills, keeping your legs. The knights present took the field while the remainder of the fighters challenged for the right to earn a rose for themselves or for the inspiration of the victor. Out of 5 holding the field I took home three roses, not a bad day at all. We had to fight quickly due to the rapidly fading light, reduced visibility makes for poor sparing, and pick-ups were fierce in the over head lights.

On the ride home we discusses a few things I needed to focus on in the future, and be aware of in the long run to avoid social faux pas both on and off of the field.

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Damn it.

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September Crown Tournament 2009

For once crown tourney was close enough to day trip. It was a relief to attend this event without the need to take an epic journey to the far corner of the kingdom. While this was a nice change I still feel a bit guilty considering the Canadians had to travel even further than normal to attend. I fought in the Squires tourney once again, this time with a different knight sponsoring me than normal, and found all that practice has finally begun to pay off. Even though I take my lumps twice to three times a week the desire to give a better fight has inspired me to be greater...mmm that is such a load of BS to make myself feel better but it sounded so good in my head. The fact is I've been working hard, practicing at home, events, and trying to prove that I am worthy of the attention my teachers have been giving me. It's not easy, I come home tired and sometimes discuraged. It's been heartening to hear from my fellows some of the blunders they've made in the past and it makes me work harder realizing that their skills are also hard won.

I was tickled to receive some excellent praise from a few knights on the field and now have a good outlook on what I need to practice and focus on in the near future. One thing is for sure, I need some stronger core muscles to make up for lack of size and upper body strength. Since winter is in the works its back to sit-ups, push-ups, and possibly swimming to take the place of the daily run. On the other hand I could just suck it up and run in the rain, makes you stronger right? I think I hear that snugly bed telling me to be lazy.....

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Monday practice 8/31/09

World of pain. Was having a terrible night fighting due to taking a week off from sparing, armor fixing, as well as any sort of fitness period. Starting to realize this whole getting better thing may include a bit more practice time at home and finding some where to work a bit on the pell to guide muscle memory and hone targeting. Fortunately several of the knights have been kind enough to spend a little time with me to fix some of the more sever armor and technique problems I've been experiencing. Knowing they support me so long as I keep an open mind, try to learn what I can, and get my helmet time I feel I can succeed in this sport. It's much more work than I realized and I'll be needing to treat it more seriously if I want to progress any further as a good fighter.

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Back to Bloging!

Haven't posted in a while due to a busy schedule. While my posting has been lax my attendance to fighting practices has not. I've been hitting two to three a week, one of which is considered the bum practice due o all of our unemployed statuses, which good success. I've reached another plateau where I my movement and blows are decent but run into a bit of a problem wanting to smash my pals into oblivion when I open them up like a can. I know I've been holding back the max abilities of my skill set in reserve for some occasion, which needs to be practice right now so I can ramp up for some of the more serious fighting events this fall and early winter, and need to work myself through this issue if I want to get any better.

Care less about what ppl think and more about fighting personally. I need some motivation....STAT! I might hit those energy drink for a while just to get back into the habit of fighting harder.

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Jumping in the deep end...only way to play. Wish me luck.

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My very first...

This Saturday I fought in my very first tourney held at Bar Gemels. I was very nervous, I am very shy, and was hoping all of the practice time and advice I had been getting for the past few weeks would help me live up to the expectations of those around me. I enjoy fighting, it is a sport and I also enjoy winning that is why I compete. I was proud to have made it to the fourth round getting out only to two very well ranked knights of the kingdom. I made them earn those kills, I am proud.

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Up to my eyeballs in armor

Been hitting the practices pretty hard for the past two weeks trying to catch my body up with the tactics that are floating around in my mind. Yesterday I geared up with a few friends in a backyard to work on a few things free from the scrutiny of our teachers, here I learned that I fight much better with my contact lenses in rather than one eye blurry via my lack of glasses. Not a huge surprise but good to know in the long run. I've discovered that my muscles have begun to protest the strenuous use they've been receiving, with out much warning I'm afraid, leaving me a generally irritable and sore lump of flesh. I can't complain though b/c I enjoy it. I enjoy the attention, the practice, and the frustration of getting better. That is why I fight.

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Twas a dark and stormy night...

Bitterly cold is the only way to describe practice last night. The false facade of spring showed through with bitter cold winds and rain. There was a good turn out last night and I managed to get in fights with four different people, which is good for me since I tend to wear myself out against the first two. I've decided to take my time and only fight a few times against one opponent so that I could fight several. I must admit that the cold made it very hard to practice with my hands being numb and muscles refusing to stay warm despite my wool over clothes. I think I even might have bruised my hand a bit.....

My fights were fair this time due to cold, lack of enthusiasm as well as not wearing my contact lenses which tends to make my targeting off by about 2".....but practice is practice and the more helmet time I can get the better. I need to start cross training in order to keep up with the physical demands this sport is pulling from me. I can see more distinctly the lines distinguishing the levels of fighting as well. It is those people that spend the extra time working out, eating properly and utilizing the practices to implement things learned privately that eventually reach crown caliber abilities. I realize I have much to learn before considering myself one of that class.

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Turns out my starting position was all wrong. spent most of the time throwing shots incorrectly that lead to low power and slow shots due to over rotation of my sword. Who knew, I guess it really is the small things that make a huge difference when fighting. Now that that's figured out i'll need to build up some more muscle and endurance to offset the recoil from the sword.

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Lessons learned

Thursday's practice was both helpful and humbling. I was having a hard time with my footwork and it left me frustrated again. So a few foot work and slow work drills later I fought a bit, still without much success but thus is the price of sparring with crown caliber fighters. Was in poor spirits.

Come the end of practice was a bear pit. I managed to survive my opponent by dancing in and out of their range and attempting to find an opening. success! Around again and matched up with the same opponent to whom I again fought for a while and then managed to kill a second time. Unfortunetly since I was tired, my second fight was terrible and a bit full of BS but despite the beating I was satisfied with my fights.

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CDV Practice

Once a month I try and make it down to a southern practice, on the first Wednesday: Mid-Willamette and the third Tuesday: CDV. The Tuesday practice was added into rotation to give me more helmet time, but also allows my room-mate to spend some quality time with his knight; Who tries to come up our way on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. I'm sorry to say my presses are progressing slowly nonwithstanding although I've reached the heart of the matter at last.....instead of just throwing shots maybey locating targets and trying to hit thoses would be more productive. While fighting one fight for five minutes can be considered a wonderful thing, when it looks like two middle school boys flaying about it is certianly not. I need to work on incorporating footwork with shot combinations and switching my mentality from halting practice fights to a more serious tourney mode if I want to keep up my game. On an up note it was good to have actually spent some time dominating another fighter, with the caliber as high as it is at the monday and thursday practices I have a tendancy to get frusterated.

also...metal plates on my arm armor = awsome.

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Another Practice.

The combination of footwork, shield work, and sword work. Last nights practice I was able to slowly combine these aspects into a more manageable style and grace. However a continual press on my opponent is something I desperately need to improve upon. It is partially development toward a mindset to change the fight to my advantage through attacking and over coming the desire to disengage early, allowing my opponent to reset and close any advantages gained. I need more helmet time.

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Last night was the first practice where I realized that I need to make a serious effort to upgrade my gear. while slapping a few pieces of leather and metal together can get you started, once you begin to stratagize the mistakes start to show in lue of the bruises you gain when your gear isn't quite what it should be. My arm armor may look nice with leather bracers rivited to metal cops but wtihout interior padding and metal plates it really doesn't protect the way one would hope. Half-gauntlets with good thumb protection, in the form of metal plates, I've decided are also essential seeing as I tend to get hit on the hand more that once in a practice. I've narrowed this down to poor returns and bad timing on my shots. My solution to this particular problem is to crosstrain, strenghten core and upper body, as well as pell work to work on body form and combinations. I'm tired much to quickly and I know it is due to poor fitness and endurance.

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