Let's Fence!

[hamletta]

I went fencing last night, first time in almost four months.

The good news is, I managed to button up my breeches (that was a real question after four months of hardly any movement). 

The bad news is... Well, almost everything else. I walked straight into the club tournament. I still remembered which way to point, but my stamina was abysmal. I managed to do three bouts, of which one lasted maybe 30 sec... I did actually score a couple of points, but that was more of a lucky chance than any skill. 

But, I got reminded why I love it. In a way, it made the lapse in form and skill even more irritating, because I'm a stupidly ambitions and would like not to suck so totally. I keep reminding myself that I'm doing it for fun and can't expect to compete with boys half may age and ten times my level of fitness. 

Other than that, it was great... I do need to keep at it. It's such a fun sport!

(And yes, it's definitely going to feature in my next novel. Don't know the plot yet, but fencing will be involved!)

Comments

[yhlee]

Huzzah fencing!

I am still unable to fence due to sickness, but I will take vicarious pleasure in your exploits. :)

[hamletta]

I'm just trying to catch up! So one day we can have that duel! :D

(Seriously, sending best wishes. Hope it finally goes away!)

[yhlee]

Thanks, Mel!

I still think me fencing foil vs. you fencing epee would be the funniest thing ever. God knows, I cannot get my head around epee; the brief introduction I had to it, I was a trash fire disaster at it. Also it's heavier and I have wimpy arm muscles. XD

[hamletta]

That would probably be true if I were any good at fencing epee... But yeah, my approach now is "jab anything that can be jabbed and hope for the best."

I can sometimes score thigh or upper arm/shoulder, but really the torso is the best target, still. Forearm is the closest but the jackets are so slippery it's hard to get enough pressure for the hit to register. (It's way easier with the coach, because they wear extra padding and it makes it softer.) The same with feet -- great target, if they'd stay still long enough...

What I do like about epee is the absence of the priority rule. THAT was doing my head in. I never knew who started and who got the point...

[yhlee]

I can sooooooort of baby-steps handle priority, but my aim is terrible, which is why that epee thing where you aim for the underside of the wrist or, God knows, the foot touch is forever beyond me. XD Shoulder or torso it is for me...

What kills me in priority for foil is point in line. I am too chicken to try it out, although Joe has several times. I also don't have the reflexes/reach to pull it off anyway! XD