No, I'm not pregnant, fencing, and wow, the subways suck!

[rm]

Today I apparently need to wear a sign stating that I am not pregnant. Really. NOT PREGNANT. I mean, a Japanese woman on the subway offered me her seat and no matter how hard I tried to turn to down she and her "omg, you are pregnant and carrying fencing equipment" broken English/random sign language could not really be thwarted.

Speaking of fencing, do I go tonight? It's 95 here with awful humidity. I get out of breath walking a block in a sun dress in this, and our salle is not air-conditioned. It is hard for me to make reasonable decisions about this sort of thing, largely because I've never been an athlete before (am I even one now?). I do poorly in extreme humditiy because of my heart murmur and because it's important to me to refuse to accept physical limitations because they make other people more comfortable, it's hard for me to gauge what a reasonable amount of pushing myself is. Also because we train "as if preparing for a real engagement" it's hard for me to justify not going in terrible weather. I have to be able to fight in terrible weather! Of course, if I were a real swordsman, I'd just not leave the house on days like this. I mean, seriously. DO NOT WANT. So what do I do? Do people really train in weather like this?

Today the MTA fails! Aside from people in my neighborhood hitchhiking to get to work, I had to take the bus to the west side to get the train downtown, which took HOURS, and really, really shouldn't have. Perhaps LJ and the MTA should switch responsibilities for a week. It couldn't be worse.

But, excellent things just arrived from Amazon. Coast of Utopia soundtrack and Flyboys DVD.

Comments

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

Pregnant??

Whence pregnant?

[rm.livejournal.com]

I'm wearing this stupid GAP dress with a high waist because it's the lightest thing I own for the heat, but it gives me big tits and tends to billow....

[fuyukodachi.livejournal.com]

If you think you're likely to be ill because of the weather, stay in and practice your footwork and so on at home. There are various and legitimate ways and reasons to die for one's art, but I wouldn't really include heatstroke in the list.

[marcmagus]

I think this is the "correct" answer. I'm not sure I could live up to it:

First, above all else, you have to take care of yourself. If you can't get yourself there and back safely due to the weather, stay in.

Other than that, you should go, and trust your maestri to set you an appropriate level of work which won't be dangerous to your health and will help your training, no?

Don't die, it would make us sad.

[rm.livejournal.com]

They are very good about telling me to take it easy, but if I have to stop for 5 minutes after ever 2 minutes of work, and I know the weather will break tomorrow, it seems logical to just not go until Friday, I think.

[miep.livejournal.com]

also, if a duelling society is a polite society, wouldn't it follow that one would not be expected to meet a challenge that puts one at a distinct disadvantage? for pete's sake, fight your opponent in the a/c mall!!!

I second fukudachi's comment.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

for pete's sake, fight your opponent in the a/c mall!!!

..I'd kinda pay to see that, I think.

[miep.livejournal.com]

me too!

[rufus.livejournal.com]

yes, you are an athlete, no, you do not have to practice when doing so has the potential to cause you serious injury, even if your sport involves sharp pointy things that could cause you serious injury at any time. the sword you can control, the humidity, you cannot.

so: I also agree with fuyukodachi: stay home and practice your footwork, etc.

[rosemarymint.livejournal.com]

Yes, you are an athlete.

But as an athlete, you need to know and respect your limits. Knowing that heat can really harm you should be the sign that you don't go tonight. I'm used to working out for long hours in high heat and humidity and even I'm taking a couple of days off until this breaks.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

don't overdo it. heat will break soon.

could schedule a real engagement at night when it's cooler. read, wash gear, otherwise serve that master without busting your heart.

[beemerbike.livejournal.com]

miep and I will babysit when you hatch that thing.

hehe.