Break it to Build it

 The last few weeks in the black belt class have been great mind twisters. Taking what we’ve learned and practiced in our training and breaking it. Time to break it, so we can build it. Make it our own, and feel and understand what our bodies and movements are doing. The last 3 weeks have been rough for me with a pulled muscle in my back, and then being online last week due to working late. This adds an extra challenge to not always physically be doing what is being taught. I am always trying to take away the most I can and doing the best I can to grasp a further understanding of the knowledge being shared and passed to us. I struggle a bit more and find it to be bit more difficult than actually being on the mats and participating in live time. Many takeaways, and lots to learn. 

My back is finally feeling better, and I’m hoping to not have work interruptions for the foreseeable future! 

Push ups- 27,490

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 27,610

Form reps - Hand 672 Weapon 322

AOK’s - 826

Sparring - 495

KM’s - 1571

Blogs - 45

Some Relief

 My doctor appointment was good this week. Appears to be as thought a pulled muscle in the lower back. And some other small issues taken care of. She advised to take it easier for the next couple of weeks to heal. A disease diagnosed in my lower back at 16 years old has not given me many issues over the years, but the doctor advised as I get older it will be easier to pull muscles and injure. I’ll need to stretch more and be more mindful, but nothing serious. 

I was able to also improve some modified numbers this week as well, so it’s coming along slowly but positively. 

Push ups- 26,870

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 26,990

Form reps - Hand 665 Weapon 322

AOK’s - 809

Sparring - 485

KM’s - 1537

Blogs - 44

Back Pain!

 My back was feeling better and seemed to be on the mend. Tuesday we took advantage of the nice weather and time together and did some yard work getting the yard ready for winter (again). Nothing strenuous, no heavy lifting but some bending and picking up leaves. 

I paid for that Tuesday night. By nightfall I was walking around like a 110 year old. It hasn’t improved much and it’s been constant stretching, voltaren, and Tylenol for a week. Not much relief. Sitting, standing up, twisting is all very uncomfortable, and bending is worse. Getting dressed and undressed is fun. 

I have a doctor appointment booked for Wednesday and will hopefully get some answers, and hoping it’s just a pulled muscle that needs time to heal. It’s in the kidney area so better to be safe than sorry. Numbers this past week definately took a hit with every movement uncomfortable, and I’m cranky. 

Push ups- 26,530

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 26,670

Form reps - Hand 652 Weapon 322

AOK’s - 792

Sparring - 475

KM’s - 1503

Blogs - 43

Change is Growth

 As we hear some change coming upon the IHC team, I believe that change means growth. We live in an ever changing world, and change must happen to grow. We are always changing as humans, and sometimes the world around us changes faster than we can even keep up. Change can also bring new, exciting and fresh ideas. 

I am not good at articulating my thoughts and feelings when it comes to trying to get them accross on paper (so to speak). Lots rattles around in my head, and it makes sense, but then writing it down does not always come accross as I hope. Todai Vogt wrote an excellent blog, very well written, and articulated. She brought forth a lot of my thoughts and feelings better than I could hope to do. Try as I might (and it’s been many years of blogging) I have accepted I will not be that good. So thank you Todai Vogt for your blog and sharing. 

Numbers were better this week, and back is feeling better finally. 

Push ups- 26,320

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 26,460

Form reps - Hand 648 Weapon 322

AOK’s - 781

Sparring - 475

KM’s - 1472

Blogs - 42

Struggle

 It’s been a struggle as of late more than usual it seems. I’m struggling to keep up with everything it feels like. I’m not sure why, as life itself has slowed down some in other areas and commitments. My get up and go has got up and gone for some reason. I’m working on a lot of courses and certifications for work and that has been mentally draining, and maybe causing other areas in my life to lag. 

I’m trying my best to get energized and out of this slump, but for now I feel like a slug, only slowly chugging along. 

Push ups- 25,710

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 25,740

Form reps - Hand 635 Weapon 322

AOK’s - 768

Sparring - 450

KM’s - 1428

Blogs - 41

Board Break Challenge

 We had our board breaking challenge this past week and I feel it went well. I was happy with my breaks although I played it a bit safe using only the school boards. Still dealing with some achy joints and back. It was great to see others with some great breaks and wins they were working towards. 

Numbers suffering a bit still. 

Push ups- 25,450

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 25,460

Form reps - Hand 630 Weapon 320

AOK’s - 751

Sparring - 450

KM’s - 1394

Blogs - 40

Aches and Pains of Age?

 The past couple of weeks have been slower. Slower moving, slower moves. I pulled a muscle in my lower back/top buttock region. It’s been slow to recover. I’m still stiff in the morning, and through the day it loosens up. Stretching has been a constant, and hopefully it settles soon. 

We were doing punches on the heavy bag, which caused skinned knuckles and sore hands. And then a bump with a dragon pole caused soreness and some bruising. It’s been a week! 

The lessons from these aches and pains? 1. Always warm up and stretch before repetative workouts. 2. Grab my gloves/hand wraps before hitting the heavy bag. 3. Most importantly, I was definately shown areas of needed work and more practice! Recovery is slower as we age, and I need to remember I’m not a young spring chicken any longer!

Sit ups suffered this week due to the sore back, but pushed for a few slower ones. 

Push ups- 24,975

Sit ups and equivalent time with plank - 24,990

Form reps - Hand 626 Weapon 320

AOK’s - 737

Sparring - 440

KM’s - 1359

Blogs - 39