Now that almost a week has passed and I've had some time to think about some of the things learned, I feel more comfortable talking about the events of the Vet Sabre Camp/Clinic at Mr. Ma in South Jersey.

First, it was small. I'm sorry more vet fencers weren't able to take advantage of the opportunity. Second, small is not bad. We had more opportunity to discuss techniques and strategy and focus on what we each wanted to accomplish.

Saturday and Sunday, we began the days with talk and footwork. Wang led us through some discussion about how the calls have tightened and things we can do to make it easier for directors to see our actions. For example: a problem I'm having is that I'm leaning forward while attacking. When I lean forward, my arm either (1) pulls back or (2) looks like it pulled back. Thus, one of my main objectives is to stop leaning forward one fencing time before attacking. It forecasts my intent to the opponent and convinces the director that I just surrendered right of way. I've spent the last week carefully advancing and watching my reflection.

I note I also tend to stick my neck out, like a tutle poking his head out of this shell. Ouch!

Although the core group was small, more than a few fencers joined us for a single day. So may on Saturday, in fact, that I'm not certain I fenced all of them before they left.

Sunday, J and D arrived for fence for the day and after footwork, we traded turns fencing one another and offering advice. [Well... I listened, they offered advice. I'm really not at that level. Yet.]

Monday was the Mr. Ma Silver Cup and I lost three of my bouts 5-4, finishing one from the bottom. Ouch!

I was, however, trying (and not succeeding very well) to implement some of the things I'd learned.

I'm continuing to try to implement some of these minor changes. Watch the arm. Balance myself on one foot at a time rather than centering myself as I had in the past (which meant I didn't finish my attack until I felt "comfortably balanced", which usually resulted in missing opportunities).

Driving home was more of a challenge than the drive out since I'd left for NJ at 0445 while I left for IN about noon. It was a 13 hour drive and the last three hours felt like forever.

Now for the best discovery of the entire trip: My knee did not swell. I have not been able to sit for long periods without it swelling and working out usually means it swells. Yes, I took my cryo cuff with me and used it but still... I did far less preventive care than usual and my knee did not well.

It's not back to normal, but I think the worst of the problem is past.

Now if someone would just please explain to me why I fenced better when my leg didn't work than I do now that I can move again....