Went to BotN Regional Practice for the Eastern Region

[Aaron]

Hi,

It was good overall. I learned a lot. My injuries are mostly self-inflicted and recoverable. I learned I can bounce off of AstroTurf ten or twenty times with minimal concerns due to my armour. My armour must be upgraded and fit better, but it does protect me well.

There is a nasty strap burn on the inside side of my left knee (not back of the knee) that burned and bled yesterday. I thought it was a sword blow, but it wasn't and couldn't have been. The angle is all wrong, and there is no tendon damage.

The most noticeable self-inflicted injury is my sunburn from being a marshal for some parts of the event.

I'm aiming for 2014, and this was just a quick sampling to see how I'm doing. I need to work on many issues IMO if I intend to be a competitor for 2014.

The comradely among the troops was amazing.

And my "light" suit fits many sizes of people apparently. A SCA knight from Florida was up to visit, and brought his gambeson. He's ~5'6" and I'm 5'11" and the suit fit, and he did well IMO.

I'd flown in at 10PM on Friday from Albuquerque, and drove up at 5AM for the practice, expecting that I would help out where I could, and observe. That they let me get in armour was a bit of a shock and honor.

Weapons don't seem to matter, but position, mass, awareness and kinetic energy is everything.

My axes were not finished yet, and I couldn't use them. Next time I will have them ready.

Some might be interested in BotN for the glory of going overseas but I felt I had plenty of glory and fun just going to practice. IF I get to go in 2014 that's GREAT but the violent, friendly brutality was a joy to experience and watch. Sir Tash took a hit that would have been replayed on NFL Presents for at least a year. He was at least three feet off the ground from a side tackle, but he's fine. I regret not using my video camera. There were many good hits. I probably bounced 20 times total.

There was a lot of give and take, and the caliber of the troops is astounding. I would assign myself last place, but honored to be even ON the list. I’m thankful I was given permission to fight, given the astounding resume and caliber of the troops. I felt like an old village idio on a donkey with his grandmother’s soup pot on his head as a helm, joining the Knights of the Round Table on the quest for the Holy Grail. It was an honor

Next time I need to bring more medical gear, as well as freeze 20 or 40 bottles of water (it was hot enough to make hot tea in the shade). The local population in Philadelphia was enthralled and asked a lot of questions and cheered "Team USA!!" and cheered every fighter on.

It was a good day, and I will be back...with better weapons, better armour and the knowledge of what I need to focus on next.

The five vs. five bouts last about one to two minutes, and while endurance running helps a little, this is more like sprinting in armour. So this evening I will be doing ten one-minute sprints uphill (30 degree grade) on my street, with my two year old daughter in the stroller as my "armour" simulation.

Sir Andre is an excellent leader, and knows what is needed and what is not needed. This is a rare trait and we at BotN need to exploit this and listen and learn.

With respect,

-Aaron

[Joseph]

Glad to have met you and I am glad you had a good time out here.

[Aaron]

Thanks! It was a good time, and I plan on returning better prepared than I was on Saturday.

One odd thing is that I only have bruises on my left side.

One on the base of my thumb (holding the pollaxe too hard)
One on my elbow (bad fit for the arm harness)
Several on my bicepts (strap burn)
Several on my inner knee (strap burn)

All "self inflicted" injuries IMO. If had been fighting a pell with that intenstity and time (and sprinting around) the injuries would be the same. Nobody did this but me IMO. It just looks like my "sinister" side went out for a party and ended up with burns from sweaty leather straps, and the right side of my body went to church instead.

I'm looking forward to better fitting, spring-steel armour.

You did a GREAT job organizing this effect Joseph, and I'm very impressed. I'd like to work with the local Medieval Times Restaurant (in the Anne Arundel Mills complex) and get a practice there. It would be a longshot IMO, but there is BWI, good hotels, Ft. Meade, micro-brewery IN the complex, Bass Pro, etc... So you could fight until you drop, then walk in the mall to the microbrewery, and then stumble in armour to your hotel...


With humor,

-Aaron

[Joseph]

Thank you very much Aaron. I'm glad you had a good time.
I like the idea of the combination trip and I think it works well.

[Joseph]

http://www.vice.com/read/a-bunch-of-guy ... is-a-sport

[Aaron]

Totally cool!

[Aaron]

Any other pictures floating around? I'm looking at making five tabards (for a team of five) and installing "tabard cams) and get it on video...