Tag: krav maga

CIC 2 Day 7

Today we worked on lifted bear hugs in the morning. We learned some tools for working with tall people who are unlikely to be picked up off the ground during regular practice.

We also did a mock test. I understand the skills we covered, but I get nervous and make bonehead mistakes. I hope that doesn’t trip me up on Monday.

I led the afternoon warm-up. I felt much more like myself today than I did yesterday. It was a good warm-up, and I’m working on being more mindful with my language.

After that, we took turns doing stress drills and final drills from the lessons we prepared. Finally, we studied the curriculum. I studied some skills that I haven’t practiced very much but are crucial to my test.

We received our assignments for our teaching test. I’m fortunate to have drawn a skill that I’m comfortable with. I started on my lesson plan tonight, and I’ll do the rest tomorrow.

All in all, I’m nervous because I want to do well. I need to trust my abilities and trust my principles, and I’ll be fine. All I can do is my best.

We’re down to the last few days!

CIC 2 Day 6

This morning we did some challenging techniques. I finally did a successful machine gun takedown! I didn’t have it done to me (by happenstance); it’s a little scary to be tipped over like that. If I can’t face my fear on test day, I’ll make sure she knows. I did fine with the big leg sweep and with having it done to me. That’s a big step for me.

We worked on defending ourselves against an attacker with a stick. Those were challenging and demanding.

After lunch, we took turns teaching. Everyone was kind of out of sorts. We all had our worst classes. That kind of stinks, but I’m glad we all hit the rut together.

My roomies and I came home and “defragged.” My homework for tomorrow is done, and I feel pretty good about my lesson. I want to feel like myself again to do the after lunch warmup.

CIC 2 Day 5

Today was less physically demanding, but it was mentally exhausting. I didn’t use the inhaler at all!

We covered several techniques in the morning. In the afternoon, we went over the principles of Krav Maga, and then each student taught part of a lesson. We did only the introduction and exposition, no drills. Every person had a turn. It was kind of tough to cut off part of a lesson like that, but we all did pretty well.

I’m still working on being comfortable with teaching a single combative. I’m really struggling with the simplest things. I overthink for sure.

After all that (but wait, there’s more), we studied the curriculum in small groups. We stayed later than usual (until at least 6 p.m.). The instructor stopped us only when our brains couldn’t absorb any more information.

Oh, by the way, lunchtime today was the halfway point of CIC 2.

CIC 2 Day 4

Today I was a little listless, a little unprepared. However, I made it through most of the day without using my inhaler (more on this in a bit, but I’ve been using it preemptively once or twice daily), and I felt pretty good about the techniques we trained.

The class that I taught went pretty well, but I was out of my comfort zone. I’ve been teaching techniques on how to deal with a situation in multiple steps (defending against a front choke or defending against someone covering your mouth with both hands). Today I focused my lesson on straight punches. There’s actually a lot to cover with a simple technique, and it was a challenge to break down something simple and cover the material in a dynamic way.

At the end of class, we did a drill called EVA. We were given two lists of numbers: 150, 120, 90, 60, 30; and 50, 40, 30, 20, 10. The first column was jumping jacks, and the second was situps. This exercise is timed. I got partway through the list and had an asthma and/or panic attack. I’ve never experienced this in my life. I was wheezing, but I was keeping up, but then it was harder and harder to breathe. I eventually bailed out to get my inhaler and jumped back in, but I didn’t get any better. My classmates were trying to cheer me on, but then I started to tear up, so I got worse. I did a half of the third set (45 jumping jacks and 15 situps – she told me to cut the sets first) before the instructor pulled me. One of my classmates had some canned oxygen, and that helped. I was super embarrassed. Everyone was super nice and supportive, but I still cried a little bit (during the exercise and when she pulled me but not after we left). Apparently, at CIC, Day 4 is when I cry.

That being said, if last year is any indication, I will come back tomorrow stronger, and even though the work will be hard, I will get through it.

CIC 2 Day 3

Today we literally kicked off the morning. We practiced front kicks and defenses from straight kicks. I hadn’t practiced some of those defenses, and I fine tuned the ones I had done.

I led the warm-up after lunch. I skimped on cardio (no surprise) because it felt monotonous (I did get some feedback on how to add to it in a dynamic way). My game was a disaster (equipment didn’t do what I wanted it to), and I wasted some time trying to fix it. That being said, my group was warm, and they did have fun. I had good presence, voice, and body position.

We learned about the timelines after that. The best way to explain is to show you.

The horizontal timeline explains how much time the threat has to get to you, and the vertical timeline describes when you notice the threat. It’s a very dynamic way to approach Krav Maga, and having it explained visually really helped me.

After that, we broke into groups to practice teaching. Yesterday we were in three groups of three. Today we were in a group of four and a group of five. I was in the group of five. I ended up being the last person to teach (which is cool with me – I can learn a lot from hearing others’ feedback). Since the other group had already finished teaching, I got to do the first student-led whole group instruction!

I was a little nervous, but my classmates said it didn’t show. I met some stumbles and flubbed some words, but on the whole I had a good lesson. I got lots of high fives and genuine compliments.

I’m working on my homework now. I’ll be teaching a simple skill, and that can actually be more challenging than teaching a multi-step defense. I’ll be asking some questions before class tomorrow.

CIC 2 Day 2

Today was a bit more active than yesterday. We worked on break falls and rolls in the morning and practiced teaching in the afternoon. Every student had a chance to teach a lesson to a small group today, and we planned a new lesson for tomorrow (for homework).

I haven’t led the class in a warm-up yet, but I’ve had one prepared for a couple days. I know I’ll get a turn, so I’m in no rush.

My teaching today felt good. I actually messed up the technique a little bit and added something that shouldn’t have been there, bit I’d rather add a step than leave out something important.

I slept like a log last night, and I expect the same tonight.

CIC 2 Day 1

Today I woke up before my alarm, even though I didn’t feel like I slept well last night (according to the FitBit, I got over 6 hours).

Day 1 started at 9 this morning. I finally met Megan, our instructor for CIC, in person. She’s a great leader, and I love her teaching philosophy. We all got to know each other and talked about our expectations. Then one of my classmates led us in a warm up. We practiced some basics and discussed how to teach them until lunchtime. After an hour lunch break, we learned about pedagogy. Our homework for tonight is to write a lesson plan for a basic skill.

We were supposed to work out some more, but we ran out of time because we had a women’s self defense seminar this evening. We all helped and watched Megan teach. After a quick de-briefing, we were dismissed.

I’m feeling pretty good. I expect tomorrow will be more active. I didn’t reach my step goal today. My back is really sore, and I’m not sure why. I used Michael’s foam roller before i finished my homework, and my treat for finishing my homework was a soak in the bathtub.

I’m ready for tomorrow.

My roomies are here!

I was awake when they got in last night. I’m sleeping a little better. It took me awhile to fall asleep, but I stayed asleep. I’m making a point to not take a nap today so that I can go to bed early tonight.

Today we bought groceries and found our way to the gym where we’ll be training.

This afternoon, Eddie and I went for a walk around the neighborhood. He convinced me to run. We ran about 4 minutes, took a break to walk, and then ran another 6 minutes. Cardio warmups take 3-4 minutes, so we wanted to hit that range and push a little further. Now I know for sure I can do it.

That being said, the run was fairly unpleasant. I did my best to control my breathing, but I still couldn’t get enough oxygen. At the end of the four minutes, I couldn’t feel the end of my nose. At the end of the six minutes, my ears felt all stopped up. As uncomfortable as that was, I stayed on my feet, I didn’t stop moving, and I didn’t pass out.

Day 0 of CIC 2 is a success.

Yesterday I hit the gym and had chest day with Nik. I’m sticking with the low weight with high reps. I don’t have a set list for you because…

…I’m in Colorado! I got on my plane yesterday evening and arrived safe and sound around midnight. I have a couple of days to acclimate to the elevation and utter lack of humidity, and then it’s time for CIC 2!

My plan for the day is to take it easy, maybe check out some stuff in my 5-mile radius. My hotel has a fitness center and a pool (with a hot tub), so I’ll be making use of those at some point as well. I’d like to try a little cardio up here to see what I’m in for before I’m in the thick of things.