Tag: update

I think I pulled a hamstring on Monday. It isn’t serious, but I felt like someone jammed a golf ball in the back of my leg any time I flexed it. I stayed off it on Tuesday and spent pretty much an entire episode of Arrow slowly stretching it out.

Last night I was still sore, but I went to Krav anyway. I  can’t afford to miss practice right before P testing. Also, the muscle seems to like being used. It hurts less today than it did Tuesday or Wednesday.

We’re still working on getting into that mode for testing. At this point, I’m more worried about being a good partner than I am about taking my own test.

Other than that, there isn’t much to report. I have the usual bumps and bruises (including a really inconvenient one on my elbow), but other than that, everything is gravy.

Boy, have I been busy!

Magna Faire was a success! I showed up Friday evening in time to prepare for Francois’ vigil (For you non-SCAdians, that’s when someone who is about to be presented with the highest award in his field sits in quiet reflection and invited people to visit and give advice and well-wishes. Also there’s usually some sort of food.). We went to bed at 6 AM because Francois is a popular guy.

I slept in a tiny bit on Saturday but was on the rapier field around 10 AM. I participated in three tournaments and did a lot of pickup bouts. I felt like I did good fencing, and the advice I got from other fencers was specific and helpful. I conked right out at an embarrassingly early hour and slept like I needed it until Sunday.

Nik, Francois, Lucilla, and I literally spent all day Sunday packing, unpacking, and repacking. I made it home around midnight on Monday morning.

Naturally, I went to Krav last night. I hate that I missed so many classes last month, but I’m back, and there’s plenty of fight in me. I need to train as much as possible if I’m going to test at the beginning of the year. At any rate, we reviewed inside and outside defense and then added knives to those actions. Knife defense is my jam, so I had a great class. I’m looking forward to Wednesday night; we’ll be doing ground work.

Other than that, there isn’t a lot else left to report. I’m exhausted but in a good way. Things should be calming down soon since everything shuts down for winter break all at once.

I know it’s been awhile since I updated. I got a tattoo last Tuesday and am letting it heal, so I haven’t done much fighting.

I did attend a fencing event last weekend. I took classes and marshaled the field. It was nice to absorb knowledge without worrying about when I was supposed to be on the field to fence. It was lousy that I couldn’t fight, but my friends were all supportive even if they were disappointed. People I respect told me that I’m on the right track. I’ll be cleared to fight next Tuesday, and after that, I have some specific things to work on.

Tonight I’ll be co-presenting with Nik at the university tonight. We put together a panel for this year’s Pensacon about the portray of swords in the media versus the way swords were (and still are) used in real life. It was the most popular non-celebrity panel, and we actually had to turn people away, so we’re trying to make it more accessible to people who are interested. We’re hoping to have a bigger space next year!

So basically right now I’m all talk and no fight. I’ll let you know when I’m back.

I saw my GP about my shoulder today. He said that my issue is musculo-skeletal, not neural. That’s good. He said he could send me in for tests, but when I asked if anyone could do anything for me if those tests came back showing something, he said no, so I declined.

I’ve been prescribed muscle relaxers and given the broad diagnosis of “chronic injury.” Basically, I should take ibuprofen before activity and use heat to increase blood flow. I can live with this. I know people who fence way better than I do who have much more serious injuries.

I also feel that my doctor focused a little too much on the fact that I fence, no matter how many times I told him that I’ve had this numb spot significantly longer than I’ve been fencing. However, that doesn’t change the fact that he says I can more or less keep living my life.

I don’t think I really got any answers, but I did get some weak reassurance. I’m going to look for stretches and exercises for the upper back/shoulder region (the numb spot is on my scapula). If you know of any good stretches, please let me know (preferably with pictures). I’m mostly interested in back and shoulder (my shoulders are SO STIFF right now) stretches, but really, I’m interested in preventing injuries of all kinds.

I haven’t been doing much fighting, so I haven’t been doing much updating. I haven’t even attempted progress on my lunges.

I went to Krav on Wednesday and had a good and productive practice, but I was sore for days afterward. I’m going to both classes this week, but I’m going to tape my shoulder and tell my instructors what’s up. I think it’s pressure, not movement, that’s causing my problems.

I’ve been resting up as much as possible since then. It stinks, but it also really helps.

I see my GP on Thursday. Wish me luck.

I had an awesome night at Krav Maga. We did some HIIT at the beginning and end and spent the rest of the class throwing each other around in an alley.

Tonight I realized that I make weird faces when I fight but never had to confront them because of my fencing mask. Also, if you need to do sit-ups and are prone to frequent gas, next to a Dumpster is the best place to do it.

My right shoulder is fine, maybe a little tingly after practice. My left shoulder is tight. I feel invincible right now, but I’m not going to lunge until tomorrow. I think the ~2lbs of steel at the end of my hand is what’s worsening the situation, so I’m not rushing back in yet. There will be a sword in my hand this week.

Yesterday I did yoga and felt pretty good. The tingling on the right side hasn’t gone away, but it does seem to be lessening. The left side is super tight and almost hurts. I noticed the difference when I was threading the needle in reverse prayer. I could extend my right arm forward, but I had to keep my left arm flexed.

Since I felt pretty good, I considered trying to work in some lunges, but Nik told me to hold off for another day. His shoulder bothers him sometimes too, so I’m taking his word for it. Tonight I’ll go to Krav and spend an hour fighting my way out of bear hugs (surprisingly not too bad on the shoulders). Maybe I’ll try to lunge tomorrow or over the weekend. I definitely want to go to fencing on Friday.

I hate being laid up, but I know that if I don’t rest now, I’ll just be injured longer and more severely in the future. I’m really hoping my doctor will be able to help me with a minimally invasive option (home rehab routine, cortisone shot, etc.).

Also, for those precious few of you following me, I hope you don’t mind that this blog is shifting away from its focus on fencing. I want my injury to be visible so that people know there is a reasonable alternative to playing through the pain.  With luck, I’ll be back to my regularly-scheduled ass kicking in no time.