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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More