I got into Armor on Saturday. It was the first time in months. I wasn't sure what it would be like. I mean, if we're ever invaded by an army of pells, I'm all set, but actual fighting is another thing. I had not fought in six months, since Aedult Swim. Before that, I'd had three health issues last fall, missed Crown, and took two months off. Really, since Pennsic 2019 until last Friday, I think I had been in armor six times. So Saturday makes seven. That's a far cry from when I used to practice four times a week. I miss those days. I miss being able to do that.
I was in a new to me helmet, a heavy, large bascinet that I was able to pad up with some of the anti-concussion foam Icefalcon sells, plus the skull cap that Dag manufacturers. So an inch of padding, three densities. That worked well.
I took the train out to Duke Ronald's. It was just me and Baron Jonathan in armor. Jonthan is one of my favorite training buddies. He has very fast hands, so it's a great sword and shield workout. He's also good at other forms. We did three sets -- a long sword and shield set, a sword and buckler set, and then a single sword set.
I felt good in the helmet. He tattooed my leg (I was using Ron's shield, which is narrower and about two inches shorter). I felt my targeting off. I had some trouble figuring out what to do. My shoulders ached afterward from the work. I was using my heavy sword, which I really don't like, but it allowed me to use all sorts of Bellatrix/Flieg heavy sword tricks -- momentum shots, slow moving shots, etc. I had some really good leg shots, but my targeting was way off on my snaps. I was throwing right into the middle of the shield. That was probably the weight of my armor and of the sword.
I did not work on any specific technique. I was not using my footwork at all (odd, since I've been practicing it).
I felt good and had a very good time.
I don't know when my next time in armor will be. I'm not sure we will ever hold another Crown.
