Swordplay

Here is a report on the Elderly Swordsman’s most recent practice session:

I headed for Adiantum practice on Wednesday evening last with a bit of an agenda (for myself, that is). I decided to work on a particular tactical ‘thing’. As in: “Watch the sword hand; step (diagonally) towards the sword hand; attack an opening as soon as it appears; if no opening appears, cut anyway, to force a response.”

I am happy to say that I was not completely unsuccessful in the execution of the plan. I fought one, two, three, four, opponents until each called a halt. I took a very short break, then went out and practiced with Thane Durin.

That was my bad for the night. First, his style is not amenable to attack by that tactic. Second, I could barely move. I felt so old, slow, and tired. And yes, my foot was hurting. After a bit I gave it up.

Next I found myself facing Sir Ruland. Well, he cut me up good for a bit. Then I got a bit of a second wind, and fought him even for a short stretch. He called for a break, and then I faced Squire Sverre. “Five fights.” I told him. I won one of those, by trickery: attack at the sword hand, move to the left and attack off-side (he is a lefty).

By the time that was over, I had completely forgotten the first four guys; all I could think about was how tired and out-of-shape I was, and that, “This is unacceptable!”

Two days later, I remember that I did fight pretty well at the beginning of practice; I executed my plan with some élan and skill; I learned from my mistakes. So I’ll cut myself a little slack, and say: B- for the first part of practice, C- for the second.

AND I am still unacceptably out-of-shape, so a D- for that. I need to find a low-to-no-impact aerobic exercise that will keep me fit when I am between fights. I do have an idea about that, too…

Gotta go. See ya.