This Female's "Fight Think"
So I was asked today, after stating that I have a torn ACL (six plus years old), "you're taking up heavy weapons... why?" Laughingly, I said that I've been fencing with this condition for a few years already. Which is true. Most times, I don't even wear my knee brace while fencing - indoors, mind you.
I'm currently reading "Women in the Martial Arts" and coupled with a conversation I had with Bry before fight practice, fully realize just *why* I've decided to take up SCA heavy weapons (or armoured combat) at this point in time.
I've been swimming (a bit haphazardly regarding number of times per week) and am slowly getting more fit - better physical health and definitely increasing my endurance. I'm currently (as of this past week) swimming three days and managing 600 yards in about 40 minutes (plus or minus about five minutes). I'm hoping to be able to get my time down to 30 minutes and then increase the distance. That's basically 12 full laps (one lap consists of going to one end of the pool and back, to count). The pool is 25 yards - per 'half' lap. So, here I've been competing against myself, testing my limits and pushing forward. Honestly, the third day of doing laps in a week gets to be a bit of a challenge - "Can I make it to 600? Only 5 more laps to go. All right, lets just get this next lap down." - is some of my mental conversation with myself.
So anyway, the reason I've decided to take up heavy weapons - is for my own self and simply to have fun. I'm learning something new and testing myself. Fighting is a dance. Sure, I get bruises from good blows, but when I block them successfully, and land a few good blows of my own, it's all good. I'm not looking to win tourneys, or get "noticed." No, for me, this is simply another way of working with myself to become the strongest I can be and to challenge myself. Oh yeah, and to have fun. :)
I'm currently reading "Women in the Martial Arts" and coupled with a conversation I had with Bry before fight practice, fully realize just *why* I've decided to take up SCA heavy weapons (or armoured combat) at this point in time.
I've been swimming (a bit haphazardly regarding number of times per week) and am slowly getting more fit - better physical health and definitely increasing my endurance. I'm currently (as of this past week) swimming three days and managing 600 yards in about 40 minutes (plus or minus about five minutes). I'm hoping to be able to get my time down to 30 minutes and then increase the distance. That's basically 12 full laps (one lap consists of going to one end of the pool and back, to count). The pool is 25 yards - per 'half' lap. So, here I've been competing against myself, testing my limits and pushing forward. Honestly, the third day of doing laps in a week gets to be a bit of a challenge - "Can I make it to 600? Only 5 more laps to go. All right, lets just get this next lap down." - is some of my mental conversation with myself.
So anyway, the reason I've decided to take up heavy weapons - is for my own self and simply to have fun. I'm learning something new and testing myself. Fighting is a dance. Sure, I get bruises from good blows, but when I block them successfully, and land a few good blows of my own, it's all good. I'm not looking to win tourneys, or get "noticed." No, for me, this is simply another way of working with myself to become the strongest I can be and to challenge myself. Oh yeah, and to have fun. :)