I’m finally back!

On Monday, I helped teach my first Krav class of the new year in the new venue. I had my usual first day jitters, but Eddie and Michael were there with me, and we made a great team.

On Tuesday, I hit the gym after class and did 30 minutes on the elliptical with the mask on. I did half the run set on 2 on both sides. I did the next 15 minutes at settings 2 and 3 and the final 15 with both sides set on 3 (the max is 4 on each side – I’m not sure what elevation that mimics).

Today Nik and I woke up early and hit the gym (like we meant to Monday). We lifted weights. Then I went to the beach with Emmers and took a walk. Tonight Michael and I took lead (with Eddie mixed in as a very enthusiastic student) at Krav. It was a busy day.

Tomorrow my plan is to do another 30 minutes on the elliptical after my office hours.

There hasn’t been much to report.

The attendance in my Krav class tanked to the point that it wasn’t worth it to have regular classes. I’m looking forward to some seminars last month, but that was kind of a downer.

The good news is that I can fence more now (remember that Friday Knight Fights were keeping me from the only day per week that I could practice). I’ve held a regional SCA practice, and I’ve participated in fencing and conditioning with the UWF group (there’s lots of overlap). Fencing at UWF is great, but my SCA classes are poorly attended. I can’t help but wonder if I’m doing something wrong since my classes keep drying up. I have to remind myself that life gets in the way. I’m not necessarily a bad teacher.

There’s an SCA event coming up this weekend. I haven’t competed since MCA.

I’ve been hitting the gym with Nik – weight lifting mostly. He wants to go to the gym daily, and I tag along when I can. I was having trouble fitting workouts in with these ten-hour days. However, my job situation is about to change, so I’ll be able to (at least temporarily) devote more time to fitness.

I still take lots of walks on the beach.

I’m not doing yoga (my old yogi kind of spoiled me), but I have been taking acro classes here and there. I took an acro chair class and learned some neat poses. I’d like to do that and Lyra again. I’ve caught wind of a hand stand conditioning class, and I may try that out too.

I hate to boil down months of working out to a few short paragraphs, but it would be tedious if I didn’t. I will, however, brag that I worked out enough to earn my free movie tickets through my workplace’s employee fitness incentive program. One month of working out for at least 30 minutes per day 3 times per week gets you a water bottle; three months gets you a bag (this time – last time it was a pedometer); and six months gets you two free movie tickets. Last time I got the first two prizes but not the movie tickets because I lost my incentive sheet and didn’t know where to pick it back up (also I think I lost a week when I was sick).

Anyway, I have some changes coming up in my life soon – change in employment, going back to school, etc. – so I have no idea where my journey will take me. Literally I’ll still be in Pensacola, but aside from that, I’m not sure. I think we’re going to try to get a Krav class going again, and I’m looking forward to a new school year and recruiting new fencing club members at UWF.

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.

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.

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 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.

#30daysofkrav isn’t going the way I planned. It doesn’t work like #fencingeverydamnday because I have such a small pool to draw from. I haven’t been fighting daily. However, I have been preparing. The new hashtag is #countdowntocic .

Wednesday: teaching, review with Michael
Thursday: light sparring with Nik
Friday: elliptical, fencing, watching videos
Saturday: lots of walking
Sunday: weight lifting, fencing

I hesitated about including fencing in the above list, but being in that headspace, in “fight mode,” benefits my Krav training. It gets me up and moving around, even when I want to stay home.

I’m looking for a freestanding punching bag so that I can practice by myself. I’ve gone for a walk today, and class will happen tonight. Eddie is subbing for Michael, so I’m hoping to go over some of the advanced skills with a different partner after class.

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.

Last night was another slow night at Krav, We had only two students. I’m not sure why attendance is dropping and whether or not we need to adjust what we’re doing to draw in more people. However, two nights does not a pattern make, so I’m still in “wait and see” mode.

Michael and I didn’t stay late this time since last night was my and Nik’s anniversary (we ate terrible food and went to a late movie – no regrets).

Today I’m back on the wagon. I’ll be running for half an hour after work to get ready for the 5K this weekend.

My fingers are still taped together, but when I let the, breathe yesterday, I was able to move the injured finger a little further than I could the day before. #progress

Last night Nik and I went to the gym and climbed the rock wall. I made it about halfway up, got stuck, got nervous, and bailed out. Then I watched him climb to the top. I tried one more time and made it almost to the top (four panels shy) before I got stuck and bailed (I didn’t really give myself time to be scared the second time). I had a really good time, and I think I climbed pretty high, even though I didn’t ring the bell. We’re going to try that again for sure!

After the rock wall, we did some weight lifting. Then we met up with Marco and Tiny NIck! for some fencing. We planned to fence 8-9, maybe 9:15. We closed the gym at 10. I’d say that was a good practice.

We did some sword and dagger work and made the boys practice sword and dagger against case (or brace – two swords). We also played with the dussacks. I showed some “hand sniping” techniques as well.

Tonight will be my and Michael’s second day of teaching Krav unassisted. I came up with my lesson plan yesterday and feel pretty good about it.

I rested up and felt a bit better for the weekend.

First i assisted in a Krav seminar. The official instructors did the instructing, and I and some of my cohorts worked the room, helping people adjust form and answering questions. I committed to teaching P1 and P2 with my CIC partner. We start next week. I’m stoked and nervous – just like when I teach English.

After that I hit the road. Nik and I visited our friends in Castlemere/Jacksonville for fencing practice (shout out to Zhao for following my adventures!). I fenced a few rounds and made some new friends. I tried not to over-exert myself and had a great afternoon.

When we got back to Pensacola, we rested a bit and then went to UWF practice. I did much more fencing (but still took breaks). I’m still standing, so I feel pretty good and think I may finally be over this cold.

Tonight after work Nik and I are hitting the gym. I’m not sure what I’m going to try to do (light weightlifting? incorporating running? finally trying the rock wall?), but I’m definitely ready to get back to being active.

I’m back, baby!

I’m finally out of the sling, and I even got to fight!

Let’s rewind. I didn’t see much point in updating during my recovery. Mostly my life consisted of being uncomfortable in the sling, occasionally taking it off and doing light stretching, and icing it regularly. I had a few opportunities to go watch other people fence, which wasn’t quite as terrible as it could have been. I enjoyed little victories like being able to wash my own hair.

Then came Thursday. I wore my sling religiously, even the entire ride up to Atlanta. I was so very careful that I felt comfortable leaving the sling off all day on Friday. I attended a discussion about destreza that morning and then a practical lesson that night. To play things safe, I went through the drills left handed and avoided doing ringen afterward. I didn’t even do both halves of the class, partially because I wanted to keep some energy in reserve and partially because my friends had arrived in town.

On Saturday, I fenced for the first time since the injury. I rigged together a shoulder guard and fought in my pool in the women’s long sword competition. I met my goal of not embarrassing myself.

After that, I competed in the dussack tournament. I fought left handed and wore extra padding but didn’t deal with any hard blows to that side. Unfortunately I did smash my fingers and need to sit out the rest of the day, so I missed the first blood rapier tournament.

On Sunday I elected not to participate in the open long sword tournament, and based on some of the fighting I saw, I made the right call. I was able to compete in the conventional long sword tournament, and I made it out of my pools but washed out in elims (fencing right handed since the tournament was thrust only).

I went back to Krav on Monday without the sling. This time I got to participate since I need to catch up on my P3 skills. My Krav buddies marveled at my bruises, and I worked out three weeks’ worth of pent up energy.

Now I’m experiencing a delayed event hangover, so I’ll take it easy tonight. I’m looking forward to Krav practice tomorrow. I’ll let you know when I get to test.