It wasn't as slow as LAST Monday, mind you. It was CR, Jessie M, Jessie2, and Leanne. CR was fencing terribly because they had been doing nondominant work. I don't think it's all that good for adults to fence non-dominant. At least it's not for me. It's annoying, mostly, and it messes up my dominant-hand fencing. The thread on concentration reminded me of the benefits of a relatively narrow focus for the older fencer. Practice, lessons, bouting, and tournaments should be specific and should relate to my long-term goal.

Alexei arrived around 7:30 or so and I fenced him for a while. My knee started to hurt a bit and I think the problem with my right foot is Morton's neuroma, maybe. It feels like I have a lump in the ball of my foot below the third and fourth toes. Anyway, I don't want to push it too far. Must call the podiatrist.

It was a typical practice for when I've been out a bit--I was light, easy, relaxed, and sharp. I am cautiously beginning to think it's because I've been doing this pretty long now and it has finally become part of me. I finally really know that it's about footwork, distance, and timing, not about actions, and the actions I know are automatic enough that I can make them under pressure. Of course, it helps that I am less of a head case in competitive situations, though right now I've swung a little bit too far in the opposite direction. I said to AL, "I don't know why I'm going to Atlanta."

He said, "You're going to have fun and see your friends."

"Oh, that."