ROAR!

We've had some really nice weather the past week and it seems like everyone is in a good mood because of it. There is just something about feeling the sun on your face... without freezing winds accompanying, that makes you feel good. I had the opportunity to help out today at a family day winter carnival of sorts. It was more fun than I thought it would be, there were lots of cute kids and happy families. My own kids came and helped out with a few games of snowball toss, it was fun.

On another note, we rang in the Chinese New Year with another 1000 push ups and sit ups. My muscles don't feel it very much the next day like they used to. This was the hardest 1000 I've ever done in regards to my wrist joints though. I am uncertain what to do with the ever worsening wrist/hand situation that I have going on. Right now there is a lot of waiting and I feel like I'm chomping at the bit for a solution. Of course if I'd have gone to the doctor sooner, my six week wait would already be over. Lesson learned I guess. Take care of yourself and your injuries! Happy Year of the Tiger everyone!

The title is the worst part

After blogging weekly for over a year, it is still one of the hardest things for me to do. I always sit here and stare at the screen and end up catalogueing my injuries as a blog entry. Exciting!
So just an update then I guess. Just about everything is on track right now and what I'm behind on is going to be caught up by the end of the week. It feels good. Some of the students are planning on doing another 1000 push ups and sit ups day on Chinese New Year so it will be nice to beef up those totals before I head to Mexico next month. I have someone new to work on jui jitsu with thats my size. It's pretty great, my ribs and sternum are happy about it. I suppose practicing with someone almost twice your size is like running with ankle and wrist weights on, when they're off your light as a feather! So here's to another productive week. Cheers.

One down, 11 to go

Not much to say this week, I caught up a few of my numbers to finish January strong. The physout program that Adrien put out there for everyone has made all the difference.
There have been a few times this month where I've seen things happen that left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Just strangers at the grocery store or where ever. It still blows me away that someone can knock down a stack of something and just walk away from it even though there are people behind that can't get around it. Or people that litter... I just think, really? really? you honestly don't care? There are a lot of indifferent people out there, sometimes I forget, being around so many people that are actively trying to make a difference in the world. I know most people that see you fixing or picking up something that someone else made a mess of are surprised. Most of them stare for a minute and say in a kind of disbelieving voice, that was really nice. I hope all those people that are out there doing their acts of kindness everyday influence at least one or two people over the course of the year to do the same. You never know who's watching you or that you may have inspired them to be a better person. I think this is one of the most important things we do in the UBBT and life.

Normal? I forgot what that feels like

So I thought that this being my second UBBT that I would miss out on the wonderful seasoning process of burning muscles long unused and the accompanying aches and pains. This year seems to be starting out as the culmination to many small injuries compounding and turning into bigger injuries. This week I really realized how "out" I am. My upper back and shoulders haven't been right since I don't know when. There is a spot on my back that feels like there is a knife in it, in the sense that there is no relief or stretch that makes it feel better. My hands fall asleep before I shovel down the length of my walk, before I even get to the actual sidewalk. Last Tuesday seemed to be the last straw for my big toe. We grappled in San Shou class, which is the worst possible thing it seems for my sad little toe. The joint is so painful that I'm having trouble doing kicks and being in proper stances. I'm doing my push ups on one foot. Tape is no longer the answer. I know that one can expect to have aches and pains, bruises and whatnot being in martial arts, but there are some things that can be fixed. So, I am making next week the week to make appointments and figure out what the heck I can do to fix myself up, because as I have realized, although this has become normal for me, it shouldn't be. Despite my complaining it has been another great week, I find having my numbers on the computer and knowing others can see them really keeps me motivated at the end of a long day.

week 3

My sister got married this weekend, all the preparation, driving and late nights really caught up with me. I had my nephew and their two dogs at my place too which really adds to the craziness. This morning after I got the kids on the bus I laid down and slept through my morning class. I realized at work that I had signed up to do warm up today too. It was embarrassing to see Sifu tonight and tell her that I slept through it. On the bright side I think I've caught up on my sleep.

So we have started a new semester in the San Shou class and it seems that I am the only woman in the class now. I don't mind working with guys at all, in fact I think in some ways it's an advantage to have a bigger person to work with. My husband is my partner for all the extra training that I do and I feel comfortable working closely with guys, but it doesn't always go both ways. A lot of times I am hopelessly out weighed and I suppose if I was skilled enough that wouldn't always be the deciding factor in my matches as far as grappling and traditional san shou goes but for now it is. I know that a lot of the guys in the class like to train a little harder and that can be tough when your worried about hurting your partner. I would love to say that I can take as much as any guy in the class can, but I can't. Adrien has almost crushed my ribs a few times practicing moves... I just can't support the weight of someone almost twice my size. I would love to recruit some women for the class, but there aren't many that are interested. So I guess this means I just have to get really good. My biggest problem is remembering what I've learned while I'm rolling. Practice, practice, practice!

Keep on keepin' on

So it's been a great first week of 7. It's refreshing to have new goals to work on, not that I don't love doing kempo one two and three, but I was glad to be done that requirement! I like filling out the days blank spaces in my notebook with push ups, sit ups and the like, it feels good to have some physical evidence of progress made. Sometimes that makes a crazy day seem more worthwhile.

In the kids warm up tonight I did push ups and sit ups like I was flying off the ground, it felt pretty great. I love the days that you really notice all the hard work that you put in. I would love the kids that I help out with felt as fired up about kung fu as I do. I know some kids catch the enthusiasm and some don't seem to care no matter what you do. Its so awesome to see the ones that have the fire lit under them, or when you have a really high energy class. Those kids can really vibrate the walls when they want to.

Next week I will post my requirements, I can never seem to get the list and my blog together at the same time. Till next week!

GO!

Wow, it's 2010 and the beginning of UBBT 7. Started the new year off with 1000 push ups and 1000 sit ups, feels pretty awesome. It's a great start and makes me wonder why I have trouble getting in 150 some days.
It feels good to be starting a new set of requirements and have new goals to be working towards. I was a stay at home mom when I started UBBT 6 but I'm back working so 7 will have a totally different dynamic for me. I have to be smarter with my training and fitting my daily goals in where I can. I have been taking a pedometer to work with me and realized that I had been shortchanging myself with my kms. I had estimated that I walked about 4-5 kms a day depending on when I started. Turns out it's more like 15 or 16 kms just while I'm at work, pretty cool.
I've taken on less push ups this year and I will be adding in an equal number of rowing exercises to try and repair some of the damage I've done over the last year by strengthening one sided.
So, it's another year of aches and pains, bruises, and injuries but I'm proud of them because I know my teammates are just as tired and bruised and battered and we work hard to get there. yeah, it's going to be an awesome year.