Devon
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Woot! Nice work Dan and welcome back!
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Week 1
This week I want to keep connecting with running.
My life has been chaotic with being in and out of Vancouver. I have managed to keep a minimum training commitment to my swordplay throughout this time. In fact it has become easy to pickup a sword or stick and get it moving for at least 10 minutes if not more. But making space to run, get out in whatever weather, in whatever neighborhood, on whatever surface, has been difficult.
Questions I am pondering this week:
– What shifts do I need to work in my winter schedule to feel most in accord with my body?
– How am I using my back muscles to balance my extensions in swordplay?
– What can I put in place to help me get out running no matter where I am?
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Week 1 Reflections
I am really happy with the amount of training I got in and how sore I have felt.
The main thing I’m thinking about for this next week is how do I keep this same intensity of learning and practicing going while I am away in Victoria caring for my parents. I find that transition tricky to manage.
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Day 7
Did a lot of practice during workshops I was teaching including a rapier scholar skills workshop and a two sword private session. Was a good day for sword and it ended with 3 hours of fusion dancing — that really was a back workout. Felt it on Monday!
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Day 6
Got in a martial meditation in the morning with staff. Felt early today. Then taught a couple classes one on quadrant defense for our youth instructors, and one on grappling entry for Ben.
Then went and saw Dune!
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Day 5
Whew it was a big day!
Martial meditation in the morning moving with the staff. Then an hour sword workout with Nicky. Worked on doing a rotation between two sword patterns, hanging crunches, and spear flow. It was great.
Then taught my sidesword class. And then later in the evening I planned to do just an hour of open floor, sincerely I was really tired. Then an hour stretched into three hours. My sweaty gear is hanging over all the things.
Good day.
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Day 4
So to get my runs in and some extra training I’ve been doing this thing with my running app 5k runner. I put on a program that has runs and walks, then during the runs I run and during the walks I pickup my sword and do cutting patterns and movement.
This morning I did a 36 minute program and focused the cutting sections on longsword patterns of single and double cuts, accordant and discordant cuts. All of it in the studio. Ran barefoot, then tried to get in some extra calf stretching at the end.
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Day 3
Dragged myself out of bed at 7:30am (only snoozed twice today!) then went down into the basement of the relatives place to get my sword in hand. Put on some nice music and worked through 10 minutes of play building forms. Planked for 10 slow breaths, then meditated for 10 minutes.
A note on my plank: I’ve been focusing on tilting my pelvis slightly inward in order to more fully engage my lower abs. It’s really burning so I must be doing something right. 🙂
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Day 1 & Day 2
I’m really noticing the shift in the light. Waking up at 7am and feeling like I should go back to bed for another hour. It’s dark and cold. In a week when the time shifts I hope that will help.
On Monday and Tuesday I started with meditation while in bed. A guided meditation. Sometimes just sitting up in bed and meditating can be a gentle transition into my day. Then I got up and did my martial movement while listening to an Italian lesson.
My focus was on sending the sword forward rapidly while engaging my back at the end of the range of motion. it was a good workout.
Tuesday after my morning routine I got out for a run. I felt super winded throughout. It wasn’t until 3/4 of the way through I realized I had been running uphill the whole time. That made me feel a bit better.
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Week 3 and 4
Well got a bit behind on things.
Week 3 was good. Stayed on track with training.
This week I’m excited about my program. I’ve. blocked off 2.5 hours for learning every morning and I’m spending part of that time training while listening to an audio book or simply training and working out with partners. Also back into my running program. Decided if it’s crappy and not a great running space outside I’m just going to run at the studio. It’s been a good answer and in my resting walks I do sword cutting.
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Sometimes life is like that. Good job getting back on with a small commitment. Build it back up as time and mental space become more available to you.
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Week 2
Update on this week’s training.
The first few days were at my parents house so I spent time with a long walking stick that they have doing staff forms. Both spinning and well as working through quarterstaff and spear techniques. Main focus in that training was structure and leg strength.
Later in the week back at the school I have spent some time in the morning working on longsword forms. Then last couple days working on two sword. Spent a lot of time working on back strength in extension — ongoing job for me and making some good progress still. Two sword is a fantastic shoulder stability workout.
Tomorrow I’ll be getting together for some practice with senior students here. Looking forward to it.
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Week 1
Focus: Getting a weapon in hand each day.
Plan: Morning practices on days that I’m not actively practicing and teaching.
Contingency: Reading the Anonimo Bolognese or Ricardiano.
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Days 1-4
Was in Victoria, brought my sidesword with me and got it in hand each day in the morning or evening before bed. Working on back stability and shoulder position particularly with the left hand.
Day 5
Two sword class followed by 2 hours of shooting a video about approaching and controlling with sword and buckler. This mean a bunch of drilling and sparring with Ben. Was a joy.
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yay!