Tag: p2

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 passed!

I’m really excited and relieved because my training partner and I both passed our P2 tests. Last night’s class was pretty brutal, but I know working out harder and longer (now we help with P1 and P2 7-8 and train P3 8-8:30) will make me stronger and more adept. I am also very very tired.

I’m looking forward to yoga tonight. I’ve been working on correcting my posture this summer, and yoga really helps me keep everything aligned. I’m also trying to increase my flexibility in my hamstrings and lower back – that whole region can get super tight and (I think) cause cramps in my calves when I’m working out.

My Krav class is helping with a self-defense seminar on Wednesday. I’m thinking I’ll take the opportunity to fence that day at UWF, but I told my coaches to call me in if they’re short handed since the two practices will be close by. It would be kind of funny to show up in my fencing gear to Krav!

Last night I took my P2 test for Krav Maga. I drilled and fought for an hour and a half with no breaks except for those precious moments of slugging down water when the proctors were adjusting the room for us.

I honestly don’t know how I did. I walked into the test feeling really good about it, but I know for a fact that I had some techniques backwards. I know I missed some stuff and went the wrong way a couple of times. I think I managed to fix the little screw-ups along the way, but I honestly have no idea whether or not I passed.

I find out on Monday, and I’ll let you know when I know. Honestly, though, even if I didn’t pass, I’d call last night a success. I did my best, worked hard the whole time, and left with my head held high. If I need to re-test, I’ll re-test. I hope, though, that I get to progress with my partner. We have a level of comfort with each other that I don’t want either of us to have to re-cultivate with a new person. 

There’s no point in dwelling on what went wrong last night or what might go wrong next week. I’m proud of myself for making it through.

Last night was our last Krav review before the test on Wednesday (I said “next Wednesday” in my last post, but I meant this Wednesday coming up – I guess my brain was still in weekend mode!).

Tonight I’ll go to yoga after work. Then I’ll go home, get some rest, and wake up rejuvenated for work and then my test. Wish me luck!

My P2 test is next Wednesday! Last Monday and Wednesday, we went over the material in P2 without much review. I’m feeling pretty good about the test. I have one more practice (tomorrow), and then we’ll test on Wednesday.

On Friday and Saturday I went to the beach. I did my usual routine of touching the pier and beach yoga. This time I brought my snorkel gear with me and looked at the fish under water. I spent more time in the water, but I don’t think I did much swimming – I mostly just float when I’m snorkeling.

Today Nik and I brought the dussacks to SCA fencing practice. It’s super hot (heat index over 100 degrees), so we wanted some options for practice that don’t involve getting all armored up. Dussacks count as arts & sciences, and they’re leather, not steel, so we didn’t need to wear all the layers. We also brought the plastic foils for youth – the blade mechanics aren’t much, but you can still do timing and distance. I’m hopeful that we can have more days at the park without necessarily frying our butts off.

Last night my finger hurt so bad that I skipped Krav. The ambient pain was intermittent, at least. I was super bummed. I’m tired of being hurt, and I need to get ready for my test at the end of the month.

I did very little physical activity this weekend. I walked on the beach and swam in the gulf with a friend, but that’s pretty much it. Nik dragged me to the gym on Sunday, and it felt good to move around a little bit.

Last night was another review class in Krav. We trained for about an hour and a half straight. There are a few things I’m really having trouble with.

I need to practice my backwards rolls – I can do them pretty well over my dominant shoulder, but technically you’re supposed to roll over your non-dominant shoulder. I know it doesn’t matter much in a real fight, but I’m not in a real fight. I’m testing.

I also have an issue with leaving openings when I attack. I want to get in there and land some blows, but whenever I do, I almost always get hit. I know it’s unrealistic to expect to walk out of a sparring match unscathed, but I’m obviously doing something wrong with my defense. It’s pretty frustrating.

I need yoga tonight.

Last night was a wonderfully sweaty first night back at Krav class. We drilled through some of the P2 skills but decided collectively that we aren’t ready to test next week. I’m really working hard on this, and I want to succeed, so I’m glad to have the extra time.

That being said, it’s super hard to maintain my pre-test diet when the test keeps getting pushed back!

I survived the weekend!

On Friday I took my friend from out of town to the beach and made him go touch the pier with me. We swam out pretty far and saw a large sea creature. I’m hoping it was a dolphin because if it had been a shark, that would have been super scary. It was between us and the shore!

Saturday was Arabian Nights. I managed to get things started more or less on time, and while there were hitches, I did what I was supposed to do and was where I was supposed to be. I participated in one tournament, and even though I didn’t win, I had a good fight. I challenged myself and my opponent, and that’s really all I can aim to do.

Tonight I get back into the swing of things with yoga. I kind of stopped caring about my pre-P2 regiment this weekend because I had guests whom I needed to take to various food- and beer-related establishments, but I’m back on the wagon now. It’s time to buckle down! I’m looking forward to class tomorrow.