Well, I went to a tournament yesterday, didn't do particularly well. It doesn't help that on Thursday I ran two miles for the first time in 18 odd months and my legs were totally dead. I went 3 and 2 in the pools which isn't so bad (although I was fencing a lot of relative beginners so I should have done better) then I tanked my first DE to a pretty good fencer who was suffering from tendinitis so badly that he could barely lift his arm.) but he lifted it enough to beat me 15-14 and go on to take third in the open (and eventually be on the winning team in team event too)

In the team event I finally got my legs back and fenced well. It wasn't a serious event by any means, the young beginners came out with great enthusiasm. I really liked the fact that they did not let themselves get intimidated at all. If something didn't work they would try something else. (including at one point what can best be described as crouching lizard/hopping toad style fencing) Much fun was had by all in the team event.

Other than my personal sucking in the open the only down side to the day came from a young fencer from Canada by way of North Carolina. I have seen him at two tournaments. At both of them he has had a screaming hissy fit involving a great deal of stomping around and cussing (in French) as soon as he loses. The kid isn't a bad fencer but he really needs to learn to chill out a bit.