Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Long needed update and explanation…

First of all the knee update is good. I haven’t had much trouble with it for a week or so even though every attempt to schedule a run has not worked out. FireGuy has been sick with a head and chest cold and so previously scheduled runs during the week with him turned into just hanging out and running to grab cough medicine. I know I could run without him but if it’s at night I need to go to the gym and then it’s in the wrong direction from checking in on him. The weekends have ended up suddenly SUPER cold or rainy or both and I have been trying to be a big baby and not make the first run on my funny knee when it is cold and hard to warm up. So there we go.

I will run again. And this break has been both good and bad. After the Marathon I thought I would never miss this ever. Now I do. I let the new semester start without a running plan in place and so now I have to make the room. And I will. I promise…..BUT FIRST!!!….

Next week is Gulf Wars!! For those of you following my other activities this is the big event of the year for us. It is a week long event with the SCA – the medieval reenactment group that I have told y’all about. There are “Battles” of all kinds. There is Equestrian, Rapier, Arts, and of course the heavy weapons fighting that I have told you I participate in!!

This is a picture of one of the big battles this is fought in a ravine in a capture and hold the flag sort of situation.




Here is everyone getting ready for the fort battle. We are listening to safty rules and the instructions. Everything is much safer than it looks




Here are some of the “Nobility” hanging out probably before court. I have no idea what is off to the right that they are all looking at.




There are classes on all kinds of stuff like actually spinning your own wool and fibers with a hand dropped spindle (took that class one year) and costuming classes, calligraphy, black smithing, almost anything. Food is cooked, dances are held, parties that go all night. And shopping till the cows come home. Lords and Ladies everywhere and all being nice to each other and having a good time. (Ever want to be treated like a princess?)

For those of you wondering what we look like when we are all dressed up I don’t have too many pictures but here is one taken at a weekend event recently. There was a tournament and FireGuy won. He gets to hold the Trident for a year. That is the prize. Next year he will run the tournament and pass the Trident on to the new winner. A friend, DG, of ours won a second tourney that day and with his prizes came the toy trident he is holding here. They were comparing…tridents…. I’m the one in the middle laughing at them both. (FireGuy on left DG on the right)




So there ya have it. This is what I’m getting ready for. It really is a lot of fun and I can’t wait to go. Also all in all it is a rather inexpensive vacation.

We will return to you to our regularly scheduled running blog after the War.
(maybe I'll have pictures from this first)

7 comments:

Bre said...

1) You look so cute and happy in that picture!
2) Fireguy is absolutely a hottie
3) There actually seem to be an awful lot of hotties in those pictures... perhaps this is an untapped market!

:)

Runner Girl FL said...

Thanks Bre. I think FireGuy is. :) He is in the thrid picture with long hair. He is mostly in the back so I didn't point it out. (Middle wearing red, purple and blue)

It is an untapped market and they ALL treat you like their queen. It gets to be a pain that I can't ever help carry anything. (NOT REALLY)

The biggest event each year for the whole SCA is in your back yard Bre. It's a big war in PA every year. The war is fought and the loser gets Pitsburg. No really. :)

Thomas said...

Glad you are doing better.

JustRun said...

Wow, I was intrigued before but now, with pictures, I just want to come and watch! We have a Reniassance festival here every year and there's a little, little bit of that same regalia (or whatever one might call it) but your stuff looks like a lot more fun. Also, I agree with Bre, some good looking uhhhh, Lords there! :)
Have fun!

anne said...

This is so fascinating to me. Maybe I didn't read close enough, but there are events around here as well?

Anonymous said...

Coming from Italy they entertain these type of festivals all summer long throughout Europe. Maybe you guys could do a cultural exchange group. What better excuse to travel! So swords, tridents and mace...do you really beat the crap out of eachother or what?

Runner Girl FL said...

gg - yeah we really do. :) It's great!! Not everyone fights...but I do. ;)