Veteran fencers

[mdcdoherty@comcast.net]

I fenced in my teens and twenties, and gave it up for about 20 years to
start a family and job. Now I'm in my 40's, in mediocre shape, and
getting back into it. I find that I can't fence the same way I once did
as a younger man. My question is, what advice do you have for a pot
bellied middle aged man as far as his style and technique?

[Joseph Kormann]

mdcdoherty@comcast.net wrote:
> I fenced in my teens and twenties, and gave it up for about 20 years to
> start a family and job. Now I'm in my 40's, in mediocre shape, and
> getting back into it. I find that I can't fence the same way I once did
> as a younger man. My question is, what advice do you have for a pot
> bellied middle aged man as far as his style and technique?

Zen answer: Find a fencing club and you'll find a technique.
Non-Zen answer: Get out there and fence. You'll do fine.

[Juan C. Gil]

Veteran fencer at forty-something? Nah!

Look for a couple of threads about *really* veteran fencers
some weeks ago; that will surely give the morale push
you need for getting back into it!

Juan Carlos---

[Colin B.]

mdcdoherty@comcast.net <mdcdoherty@comcast.net> wrote:
> I fenced in my teens and twenties, and gave it up for about 20 years to
> start a family and job. Now I'm in my 40's, in mediocre shape, and
> getting back into it. I find that I can't fence the same way I once did
> as a younger man. My question is, what advice do you have for a pot
> bellied middle aged man as far as his style and technique?

First word of advice: Lose the pot-belly. :-) I've been finding that as my
age gets closer to 40, fencing isn't keeping my gut as slim as I'd like it,
and I have to do other things to wear it down (cycling for me).

secondly, remember that old age and treachery _can_ overcome youth and
confidence.

Colin

[Fencergrl]

LOL... I STARTED fencing at 40!
You'll be fine.
Have fun!

[zap]

En garde
I started a club for veteran fencers and we fence to enjoy ourselves and to let off some steam. We also love the socializing part and at the same time lose flab. Enjoy it and I hope we meet at a veteran competition some time.
We would also love to travel to other countries to meet other veteran fencers.Are there any competitions especially for us abroad? If so, let me know.
Zap

[Fencergrl]

Zap, contact Peach (look under "Members List" and send her a private message). She's a competitive veteran fencer and would be a good resource.

[Peach]

The World Veteran Fencing Championships in Tampa, Florida are the beginning of September, but you have to qualify a team with the collaboration of your national federation.

I highly recommend the Veteran Challenge (http://j.altbush.home.comcast.net/vets2005/) a week later--September 10-11, 2005, in Massachusetts. It's an outstanding tournament and it culminates with a clambake.

There are other tournaments as well, and they are often listed on the US Veterans Fencing (http://www.usaveteransfencing.org/) website.

Check out the European Veterans Fencing website.

[Zebee Johnstone]

In rec.sport.fencing on 25 Jul 2005 17:30:39 -0700
mdcdoherty@comcast.net <mdcdoherty@comcast.net> wrote:
> I fenced in my teens and twenties, and gave it up for about 20 years to
> start a family and job. Now I'm in my 40's, in mediocre shape, and
> getting back into it. I find that I can't fence the same way I once did
> as a younger man. My question is, what advice do you have for a pot
> bellied middle aged man as far as his style and technique?


Going to depend a lot on what your original technique relied on.

IF your form was all over the place - and therefore inefficient - but
you could compensate by youthful strength and speed, then you either fix
the form or get into the gym

Start with the simple stuff, what makes you think you can't fence the
same way? What are you noticing?

Zebee

--
Zebee Johnstone (zebee@zip.com.au), proud holder of
aus.motorcycles Poser Permit #1.
"Motorcycles are like peanuts... who can stop at just one?"

[Coup de Grace]

I'm 42 and started fencing at 39.7587 :-)

My advice is not to focus how you used fence in the past but rather use that knowledge and experience to craft your new style today. Your muscle memory has to be re-defined to fit a 40 your body and not a 20 year old body. There is nothing wrong with that.

Additionally, consider that a emotionally mature 40 year old may have a mental advantage over a physically mature 20 year old.

Chalk one up for cunning and guile! Go for it and enjoy.

[Doug White]

Keywords:
In article <1122337839.056908.119790@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups .com>, "mdcdoherty@comcast.net" <mdcdoherty@comcast.net> wrote:
>I fenced in my teens and twenties, and gave it up for about 20 years to
>start a family and job. Now I'm in my 40's, in mediocre shape, and
>getting back into it. I find that I can't fence the same way I once did
>as a younger man. My question is, what advice do you have for a pot
>bellied middle aged man as far as his style and technique?

You need to consciously work on your technique to minimize your actions.
Parry only as far as you need to, retreat only as far as you have to. I
had an 80 year old coach who was lightning fast, incredibly crisp and
totally efficient in his motions. The highly athletic, chase people up &
down the strip approach will wear you out quickly.

Fence smart.

Doug White

[fencerbill]

En garde
I started a club for veteran fencers and we fence to enjoy ourselves and to let off some steam. We also love the socializing part and at the same time lose flab. Enjoy it and I hope we meet at a veteran competition some time.
We would also love to travel to other countries to meet other veteran fencers.Are there any competitions especially for us abroad? If so, let me know.
Zap

Do you know Marguerite Langton in Johannesburg? She has previously participated in the Veterans World Championships and may know how to get you entered for this year in Tampa. Her E-mail is:

pearljan@iafrica.com

Then you could come to our Veterans Challenge a week later as Peach suggested. Get a two for one trip.

The Vets World Championship has a gala and other opportunities to socialize. Bring T-shirts to swap.

Our Veterans Challenge is also an excellent opportunity to socialize. We have a Lobster Clambake at the venue after the first day of fencing. Also we have Team events as well as Individual so, even with only fencing one weapon. you get two events. We make up teams on the spot.

[vraptor]

I did the exact same thing, pot belly and all. My knees crackle and the shoulder on my weapon arm acts up, but it don't matter. Take it slow at first and let you muscles remember what they once knew so well. After a while, you will discover the pleasure to be had in using guile to soundly thrash someone half you age.