Michael and I leave for Indiana tonight after work. My bags are packed; I just have a few “last minute” items waiting to go into my bags. Most of my stuff is waiting by the front door. This is happening!
The plan is to get in late tonight / early tomorrow morning and spend Thursday getting settled in and orienting ourselves to the area. Friday is the Big Day.
Starting weight: 178.4 lbs. We’ll see how much comes off during ten days of near-constant activity.
It’s almost time. Here’s what I’ve been up to since my last update.
I hit the elliptical after work Friday (3/31). I went to fencing that night as well. We had a good time even though we had a little scare – at one point the gym staff asked that all patrons stay where we were since there was an incident outside. It sounds like some people had a beef at the outdoor basketball courts, and a firearm was involved. I’m glad we have a safe indoor space to practice.
That Saturday I went to work and played with kids.
On Sunday, since most of the people in my SCA group were at an event, I called practice off and went stand-up paddle boarding with Nik instead.I did end up in the water once – not on purpose! The wind was pretty strong, so paddling was a challenge. We had a great day.
Monday and Wednesday were Krav nights, as usual. Michael and I worked on getting Jacob ready for his P2 test, and we brushed up on P3 materials as well.
I usually hit the gym on Tuesdays, but I was exhausted and needed sleep more than I needed cardio, so I took it easy that day. Thursdays are usually rest days, so I had two last week.
On Friday I got back to the grind and went to the gym after work. Then I got home, had a little rest, and was walking out the door to go to fencing when anxiety hit me. I did NOT feel prepared for CIC. I sent my apologies to the fencers and stayed home packing and getting organized. I was more prepared than I thought, and Nik and I went to the store to pick up a few more supplies as well, so I feel much better about it now. I kind of feel silly for missing the fun at fencing, but it was worth it to have some peace of mind.
On Saturday I walked around the island before work, where I walked around some more when I wasn’t playing games.
Sunday morning was the moment of truth. I woke up bright and early to be at the gym in Gulf Breeze at 9:30. Eddie, Kita, Michael, Jacob, and I were all there to test. Everyone did really well, and I got over half my steps in before noon. Michael dropped an elbow on my back a little too hard at one point, so I’m getting a neat bruise back there, and Kita clipped my chin with a hammer fist, but I DIDN’T GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE. This is a first for me.
After that I went home and changed clothes for fencing. I took it easy-ish and kept enough gas in my metaphorical tank to fence everyone who brought gear. I was mostly in teaching mode, but that doesn’t mean that I wasn’t moving around a lot!
Tonight is my last Krav class before I leave for CIC. I’m debating going to the gym tomorrow after work (it’s only half an hour). I’d like to have more time to pack, and I’m already incredibly sore, so I would like to rest my muscles before I go murder them for a week, but I also kind of want to keep the hype train rolling over here. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow.
No promises on updates while I’m on the road.
I’ve been too busy to blog. Let’s look back on the past week and a half.
Last week was Spring Break. I spent Monday morning at the beach, where I resumed my walks to the pier and back. That night was Krav practice with Eddie. He couldn’t stay late to work with me, but it was good to have him there for practice since he sees nuances that I don’t.
On Tuesday I went to the gym with Nik. We lifted (arms) and did cardio.
Wednesday was another beach day (with a walk). Michael was back at practice that night, so after teaching, we had some time to work on P3 and higher skills.
Thursday was another gym day with Nik. We had chest and shoulder day and then did cardio (I think – I’m getting my days mixed up, but I know I went twice last week). That night I went to a fun and challenging Beach Body class with Eddie and Kita. That was definitely a full body workout!
On Friday I tagged along to the beach partially to enjoy my vacation and partially because I needed to fill out paperwork for my new job. I did a lot of walking that day.
Saturday was my first day at my new old job. I’m a pirate again, so I get to spend a couple hours on the weekend doing stage combat and playing games with kids. I have second shift, so I still get to hang out at the beach and go for my long walks in the mornings.
On Sunday I helped at a Krav seminar Eddie and Kita were running on my side of town. Then I picked up Nik and headed to the park, but we didnt fence. We planned to get some cardio in, but the gym was closed, so we took a Poke-walk instead.
This week I was back to the grind at work, so my routine is back to normal.
Monday: Krav
Tuesday: cardio
Wednesday: Krav
I’m gearing up to do the P3 test with Michael in a couple weeks. I’ve already passed, but I’ve been asked to do it again. I didn’t ask why. I’m happy to have the practice and confident that I know the material.
I’m getting a little overwhelmed at work. It’s been a struggle to work out when I’ve been unmotivated, but I know those are the days that I really need to get up and move.
I’ve been too busy to blog. Let’s look back on the past week and a half.
Last week was Spring Break. I spent Monday morning at the beach, where I resumed my walks to the pier and back. That night was Krav practice with Eddie. He couldn’t stay late to work with me, but it was good to have him there for practice since he sees nuances that I don’t.
On Tuesday I went to the gym with Nik. We lifted (arms) and did cardio.
Wednesday was another beach day (with a walk). Michael was back at practice that night. He downloaded a workout from Sound Cloud: a professional fighter called out combinations for us to do on the heavy bags. We did 3- minute sets for about half an hour.
Thursday was another gym day with Nik. We had chest and shoulder day, but I think I skipped cardio (I’m getting my days mixed up, but I don’t have any aerobic activity logged in my Fit Bit that day). That night I went to a fun and challenging Beach Body class with Eddie and Kita. That was definitely a full body workout! I have no idea why the Fit Bit wouldn’t log it.
On Friday I tagged along to the beach partially to enjoy my vacation and partially because I needed to fill out paperwork for my new job. I did a lot of walking that day.
Saturday was my first day at my new old job. I’m a pirate again, so I get to spend a couple hours on the weekend doing stage combat and playing games with kids. I have second shift, so I still get to hang out at the beach and go for my long walks in the mornings.
On Sunday I helped at a Krav seminar Eddie and Kita were running on my side of town. Then I picked up Nik and headed to the park, but we didnt fence. We planned to get some cardio in, but the gym was closed, so we took a Poke-walk instead.
This week I was back to the grind at work, so my routine is back to normal.
Monday: Krav
Tuesday: cardio
Wednesday: Krav
I’m gearing up to do the P3 test with Michael in a couple weeks. I’ve already passed, but I’ve been asked to do it again. I didn’t ask why. I’m happy to have the practice and confident that I know the material.
I’m getting a little overwhelmed at work. It’s been a struggle to work out when I’ve been unmotivated, but I know those are the days that I really need to get up and move.
Today after work I spent 30 minutes on the elliptical (even though I really just wanted to relax). I’m glad that’s what i did though since I didn’t have much chance to do Krav tonight. Instead, I re-watched the P3 video. I figure doing cardio and reviewing the techniques is a good approach.
I lifted weights and used the elliptical on Tuesday – nothing to write home about there. It was my last night of non-Krav workout before CIC.
Last night my Krav activity primarily consisted of teaching. After that, Michael and I went over some ground work, and then he showed me how to use focus mitts to add to our activities. I was in kind of a rush because I wanted to take Nik out to dinner for his birthday, but Michael and I agreed to review a few skills and then either use the focus mitts or do some sparring (or slow fighting) each day after class.
Tonight I’m going to make Nik spar with me a little bit. I realized that I haven’t done any sparring since I got my eyes fixed. I’m a bit apprehensive since I noticed recently that I still act like my vision is impaired (trying to correct for depth perception problems that aren’t there, for instance). Because it’s been so long, I’m not used to hitting and being hit. That needs to change this month.
On Thursday I rested.
Friday after work I tried out my new sneakers on the outdoor track. The results weren’t promising, and I was super apprehensive about the run. I went to fencing practice that night and went over some basic I.33 with the class. I’ve also been helping CC find her fight and become more aggressive (because of her stature, she really needs to get in close and fast if she wants to win). I’m seeing some progress and am proud of her.
On Saturday I did the McGuire’s 5K with my friends from Krav. Michael and I ran together (and walked a few stretches). The ship in my identification bib didn’t work, so I don’t know my exact time. I know I crossed the finish line at 9:50. The starting gun went off at 9, but it took us some time to get to the start line. Unfortunately I didn’t think to look at my phone when we started, so suffice to say my 5K took less than 50 minutes. I’m okay with that. I spent the rest of the day hanging out with my friends, enjoying adult beverages, and watching the bands play. That was my last hurrah until CIC. No sweets, fast food, or alcohol until I get back.
Sunday I was super miserable and sunburned because I forgot to wear sunscreen (at least I wasn’t hungover). I spent my time getting ready for the week ahead and working on a project for my job. Nik took me for a Poke-walk at the nature trail around dusk so that I wouldn’t be further harmed by the daystar.
Last night was Krav night. Michael lost his voice, so Kita taught with me. We had only two students this time, so we each took one and went over some skills; then we switched to do some review. That’s one hell of a student/teacher ratio!
I intend to visit the gym after work today. I like the camaraderie of going with Nik, but I also know that it’s faster if I go by myself (he likes to workout for a couple hours at a time). I’m still deciding what I want to do.
Tomorrow will be one month to the day before CIC starts. To prepare, I’m going to do what I always do and fight (or study) for 30 days.
Tuesday’s “run” was terrible. I used the indoor track because it was overcast outside, and I knew that rainfall would stop me in my tracks. I’ve been working on pacing myself (I tend to run or walk – nothing in between), so that was my focus – go 30 minutes at a steady pace or with minor variations. My body did NOT cooperate. I barely got any cardio in because my legs kept cramping. Like I could not get to the aerobic portion of the run for the life of me. I left the gym and bought new shoes. I’ve been breaking them in the past couple days.
Last night was Krav night. We had another low attendance night. Michael and I talked about the class – most of our students have other things keeping them away on certain nights or for a given amount of time. However, we’re working on finding a sweet spot between teaching an active and engaging class and scaring away new students by overwhelming them with activity. It’s not easy.
On the health front, I stopped buddy taping my finger yesterday, and I didn’t wear a bandage on it today. It’s a little sore, a little stiff, but I think it’s fine now. I had my one-month LASIK post-op appointment. So far so good, but he wants to see me in another two months to make sure I’m equalizing the way I should be. For the most part, though, things look the way they should
Today is a rest day, but I’ll probably review some DVDs or something. I’m just over a month out from CIC. I think I’m ready, but ooooh boy does that not sound like a lot of time.
Wednesday was a quiet day at Krav because of the holiday. Some of our students were at Ash Wednesday mass, so it was just me, Michael, and two students. We got to jump in during conditioning, so that was nice. We watched the P5 video and feel pretty good about our understanding of the content. At this point, we just need to practice more.
Thursday was a much-needed rest day.
On Friday, I went to the gym after work for a quick run (30 minutes on the elliptical). Then I met up with Tiny Nick! and Nik to go to the fairgrounds to set up the tent for Ren Faire. Then we ran back to the university for practice. We had practice and ate dinner with our students (I did some sewing) – nothing too outrageous.
Saturday and Sunday were Pensacola Renaissance Faire. I was present for two demos on Saturday and one on Sunday. I managed to smash a finger during a long sword bout (while wearing full gauntlets, I might add). It isn’t broken, but I am buddy taping for support for the rest of the week. I went to a memorial service on Sunday afternoon, so I missed the second demo and most of the take-down. I arrived in time to load the car and head home.
I think I need a weekend to recover from my weekend, but tonight is Krav. I’m hoping that moving around and doing some hitting will help me blow off some steam and reduce my stress. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed today.
Wow, I’ve been slacking. Sorry about that, friends.
Last Wednesday I taught Krav with Michael. That went well. I worked with the P1s while he took the P2s, and then we worked on some really sweet looking kicks (P4) after everyone left.
On Thursday Nik and I met up with our UWF fencing students for some extra fencing time. I didn’t feel too hot, but I went anyway. I figured some fencing was better than no fencing. I found a “hole” in my defense. I was also having issues with one of my toes. I dropped a book on my foot a little while ago, and apparently my toe decided to swell up on Thursday. I taped them together on Friday, and everything has been peachy since then.
Friday was a regular UWF fencing practice. Nik helped me deal with the “hole.” Knowing about it seems to help. Tiny Nick! and I have been exchanging lessons on knife fighting – mine from Krav Maga and his from Fiore. It’s a beautiful conversation.
On Saturday I helped teach a Krav seminar in the early afternoon. I had trouble generating volume when teaching; I don’t know if it’s because I was outside or if I was feeling froggy in my throat. It’s easier when we’re in the gym. I came home and swapped out my Krav gear for my fencing gear and headed to the gym with Nik for extra practice with the UWF fencers. We fenced a bit, and then I got in a quick run. I managed to squeak in a mile under 10 minutes, and I only wanted to die twice. Progress!
On Sunday Nik and I went to the park for SCA fencing. Tiny Nick! joined us and helped us show the basics to some new people. We had a pretty good turnout.
Yesterday was Krav night. Michael and I taught kicks (high knees and front kicks for P1; roundhouses and stop kicks for P2s). Everyone did the stomp kick because why not? After practice we worked on some P4 blocks.
Tonight is going to be a rock wall night. I’ve slept on it, and I’ve thought critically about my fears, and I think I’m going to make it to the top this time.
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