Heeee’s Baaack

First day back to fencing after the Thanksgiving holiday. My plan was to just do footwork until after the new year, but I’m pretty willing to jump into anything. We did some more great footwork again. A lot of squat jumps again and some different advance/retreat exercises. One drill, in which you tap your partner on the front, back or both shoulders to induce a particular action was really useful as it made you focus on the present. A tap on the front shoulder meant to retreat, on the back shoulder to advance and a tap on both shoulders to lunge. This really echoes what I recently learned from yoga pertaining to being in the present, not thinking ahead or dwelling on the past. Then I had some small group time with Gary that worked on precision hits. Basically just extend advance distance from the wall for a touch. Then extend lunch distance. Then Gary got really cocky and did some parry 4 and 6 drills and then some quick disengage exorcises. Finished off the drills with the infamous “touche the falling glove” drill. Spent about 20 minutes fencing a fellow named Richard. I believe he’s fairly new, but seems to have good “present” responses, meaning that he seems to be responding to what is actually happening, rather than what he thinks will happen…which happens to be my problem. He had a lot of very simple, but aggressive attacks, particularly seemed to like flushing (where you extend and then run toward your opponent). But I started to focus and got better at the “present” fencing so that by the end of our bout, I was scoring most of the touches. For not planning on doing any fencing for a while, I was pleased with my fencing. Next step is to start with epee lessons. I also need to start my fencing journal to keep track of opponents for the long run.

Back in the saddle again

After two weeks away from riding, I had to spend a lot of time catching back up. I spent most of the night doing leg yields and transitions from walk to post with a little canter at the end.

Lunge at long last

Finally made it to fencing class again. And they were there! I went to the instructional hour at 6:30 and quickly surmised that I was advanced enough to forgo the classes. Did some fun drills though, including amoeba tag. Footwork with Gary was intense. A lot of squat jumps, and some good drills again.

On the Road again

After being off for a week due to illness, I hid the road again in the evening (didn’t make it up in time to do it in the morning.

Friday feet

Another running session with Rob. My cardio failed first this time out and Rob has definitely surpassed my in the run

Where’s the fencing?

Tried to go fencing again tonight…no luck. I need to get on that darned email list so I’m told when practice is canceled!

Intervals...again

Got a new battery in my workout watch so was able to run intervals with Rob again. Just started over with the 2 minutes off, 30 seconds on. It was pouring rain, but overall a good workout. Need to remember not to wear too many clothes though, I am just too warm blooded (or used to being cold from crew). No riding tonight.

Whoops

Had a YMCA ESC meeting, but tried to stop by fencing class afterward. No one was there though, so I must have missed a message about a change in location or cancellation.