Ironic that the week I head off to the hip specialist I'm feeling fan-bloody-tastic!
I've been working really hard in the gym, training legs and doing intervals 5 - 6 days a week along with TKS training and I'm feeling very strong and very fit - just the way I like it :)
The visit to the doc on Thursday is to get myself booked in for hip surgery.
I know there is no good time for surgery but I am training so well I really don't want any distractions!!
I know my hip is unreliable and I can be cruising along with no problems and then BANG so I know it needs to be done but boy it is frustrating to have to stop what I am doing whether it is in 4 weeks or 4 months (I have to work around school hols because I need to be off my hip for 2 weeks and teaching kids means I have to be active and hands on during the school term).
Today I smashed out 1000 cal doing weights / spin bike hill intervals / treadmill intervals.
Felt a bit flat today because I thought I would try training without breaky first but the quality of the workout just wasn't there. I had a rest day yesterday so I should have been super fresh but wasn't so back to breaky first.
I've put Jiu Jitsu on the backburner until I have a date for surgery. If it is in 4 weeks I don't want to start and stop but if it is 4 months away I'll get back this week.
I have decided I am going to enter Max's Muscle Up Challenge this month to see how much muscle I can put on if I really focus on it.
Up to date I lift heavy, put on some muscle, feel good about it and then get sidetracked!!
I always lift weights but rather than the 4-5 days I need I instead elect to run or swim or cycle etc all the stuff that eats up my muscle.
I'm interested to see how much I can pack on by following their hard core program.
I have roped in a friend of mine and she is super keen as well.
It will be nice to have someone to train with while I do it.
She is a maniac and mucks around and makes me laugh out loud much of the time we are together so I'll have to crack the whip a bit till she gets into the swing of it - training serious / coffee afterwards mucking around :)
Should be an interesting 12 weeks beginning at the end of this month.
I turn 43 this month so what an excellent way to get started.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
On a roll
The last few weeks have been awesome as far as training and nutrition and some joy in finding a BJJ club to train at BUT 2 weeks of severe DOMS took a bit of the fun out of life!
I have been pushing it the last little while because I see the specialist about my hip surgery on the 8th March so we can schedule in my surgery and I want to be as strong as possible before the big day but man-oh-man have I been sore!
Sunday I took myself into GNC and had a good chat to one of the guys there about my recovery (or lack of!) and $200 bucks and few days later and I feel a million bucks - money definitely well spent.
Getting older sucks as far as recovery goes, it just takes forever but this has definitely taken the edge of it.
I've been hitting the weights hard 4 x week and finishing those sessions with 15-20 minutes of intervals on the bike or eliptical and really smashing it.
I also have my taekwondo training twice a week and now BJJ twice a week.
I am holding off on the running for a few weeks even though I am itching to get stuck into it as I have signed up for the Puffing Billy Great Train Race in May.
I love running hills and that baby is all hills so there will be plenty of hill repeats in my future in the coming months.
The BJJ class I did on Friday night was awesome.
I had no idea what I was doing so it was all about defence when I got to spar the first night!
A great bunch of guys and I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to head back this week.
My training with Mr Oh was postponed from Monday because the roads were horrific with accidents, I sat for 20 minutes and got about 2km so I had to call and let Mr Oh know I wouldn't get there which was extremely frustrating but not much I can do about it. I'll make up for it this coming Monday.
I'm feeling very strong and very fit and my hip has behaved itself for the most part so right now it is all good!
I have been pushing it the last little while because I see the specialist about my hip surgery on the 8th March so we can schedule in my surgery and I want to be as strong as possible before the big day but man-oh-man have I been sore!
Sunday I took myself into GNC and had a good chat to one of the guys there about my recovery (or lack of!) and $200 bucks and few days later and I feel a million bucks - money definitely well spent.
Getting older sucks as far as recovery goes, it just takes forever but this has definitely taken the edge of it.
I've been hitting the weights hard 4 x week and finishing those sessions with 15-20 minutes of intervals on the bike or eliptical and really smashing it.
I also have my taekwondo training twice a week and now BJJ twice a week.
I am holding off on the running for a few weeks even though I am itching to get stuck into it as I have signed up for the Puffing Billy Great Train Race in May.
I love running hills and that baby is all hills so there will be plenty of hill repeats in my future in the coming months.
The BJJ class I did on Friday night was awesome.
I had no idea what I was doing so it was all about defence when I got to spar the first night!
A great bunch of guys and I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to head back this week.
My training with Mr Oh was postponed from Monday because the roads were horrific with accidents, I sat for 20 minutes and got about 2km so I had to call and let Mr Oh know I wouldn't get there which was extremely frustrating but not much I can do about it. I'll make up for it this coming Monday.
I'm feeling very strong and very fit and my hip has behaved itself for the most part so right now it is all good!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
BJJ
Friday night I went and tried my first Brazilian JuJitsu Class and loved it.
I am pretty sure that this is the style I want to grade in now.
The club I trained at was really good and the instructor was excellent and they have said to come back another 2 times for free to be sure this is for me.
I only have one reservation about this and that is that the instructor is someone hired by the centre and this is notoriously a bad idea as the instructor can move on in the blink of an eye.
Because I plan to train long term and grade in this new style I am more interested in finding an instructor with their own club because it is a more solid set up.
There is a school closer to home that I will also check out for this reason.
Anyway about the class itself...
The class was a 2hr class and in no way as challenging physically as TKD (well yet anyway) because of its technical nature.
I had to stop myself from being impatient and wanting things to move along at a faster pace.
The instructor said I was very easy to teach and picked things up quickly.
I expected that and was glad this was the case.
I have to say that with some of the holds etc I was asking myself "surely there is a more efficient way to get from A to B" and know that I would do it differently - again the temptation to disregard some of the techniques was strong but I am keeping an open mind.
I am pretty sure that this is the style I want to grade in now.
The club I trained at was really good and the instructor was excellent and they have said to come back another 2 times for free to be sure this is for me.
I only have one reservation about this and that is that the instructor is someone hired by the centre and this is notoriously a bad idea as the instructor can move on in the blink of an eye.
Because I plan to train long term and grade in this new style I am more interested in finding an instructor with their own club because it is a more solid set up.
There is a school closer to home that I will also check out for this reason.
Anyway about the class itself...
The class was a 2hr class and in no way as challenging physically as TKD (well yet anyway) because of its technical nature.
I had to stop myself from being impatient and wanting things to move along at a faster pace.
The instructor said I was very easy to teach and picked things up quickly.
I expected that and was glad this was the case.
I have to say that with some of the holds etc I was asking myself "surely there is a more efficient way to get from A to B" and know that I would do it differently - again the temptation to disregard some of the techniques was strong but I am keeping an open mind.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Growing Pains
Anthony Robbins says to welcome frustration because it means something is going to change.
I hope so!
I'm so frustrated with my growth as a martial artist right now I can't even tell you!
My training under Mr Oh starts again in 2 weeks and I can't wait to get back to that and I hope Mr Oh can share some wisdom around some questions I have.
My training with Mr Oh takes care of a one side of my training.
The side that wants to know more about my martial art, hone my day to day skills and my skills as an instructor and this side is as equally important as the others but now it is taken care of it highlights the areas that feel empty.
One side that is missing is what I call the mongrel.
This is the side of myself as a martial artist that I have always given the most credence too because it hits the sweet spot for me.
The mongrel is the side of me that loves to fight, loves to throw up when I train and basically just hurt.
I need this side fed.
The other side that is missing is the white belt.
Once you have some time under your belt you never, ever get to experience the utter gift that beginning is.
When you begin there is so much to learn, so much to take in and try to perfect.
My brain loves a challenge and those early days were frustrating as hell at the time but now I look back on them as a precious gift.
Well.. I want that again!
I have played from time to time with learning another style to be a pure student again (or at least to see if this is possible!) and this time I think I have it.
Friday night I am going to go and do a brazilian jujitsu class.
it is a great compliment to our stand up skills in tkd and will no doubt be very challenging.
This time though I swear I am going to love the frustration of learning something new and having to figure it out!
The last 2 weeks I have been very unsettled because of this feeling of not knowing where to go next but having made the decision I am feeling better.
I need to also find a tkd sparring coach to work with who will push me hard and make me vomit :)
Then I'll be happy!
On a good note though I have been training with my students since term began and I am feeling light and fast and lose so my body is behaving as it should *touch wood!.
I hope so!
I'm so frustrated with my growth as a martial artist right now I can't even tell you!
My training under Mr Oh starts again in 2 weeks and I can't wait to get back to that and I hope Mr Oh can share some wisdom around some questions I have.
My training with Mr Oh takes care of a one side of my training.
The side that wants to know more about my martial art, hone my day to day skills and my skills as an instructor and this side is as equally important as the others but now it is taken care of it highlights the areas that feel empty.
One side that is missing is what I call the mongrel.
This is the side of myself as a martial artist that I have always given the most credence too because it hits the sweet spot for me.
The mongrel is the side of me that loves to fight, loves to throw up when I train and basically just hurt.
I need this side fed.
The other side that is missing is the white belt.
Once you have some time under your belt you never, ever get to experience the utter gift that beginning is.
When you begin there is so much to learn, so much to take in and try to perfect.
My brain loves a challenge and those early days were frustrating as hell at the time but now I look back on them as a precious gift.
Well.. I want that again!
I have played from time to time with learning another style to be a pure student again (or at least to see if this is possible!) and this time I think I have it.
Friday night I am going to go and do a brazilian jujitsu class.
it is a great compliment to our stand up skills in tkd and will no doubt be very challenging.
This time though I swear I am going to love the frustration of learning something new and having to figure it out!
The last 2 weeks I have been very unsettled because of this feeling of not knowing where to go next but having made the decision I am feeling better.
I need to also find a tkd sparring coach to work with who will push me hard and make me vomit :)
Then I'll be happy!
On a good note though I have been training with my students since term began and I am feeling light and fast and lose so my body is behaving as it should *touch wood!.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Hill Repeats
Headed out for a light run after being at my desk all day but was feeling so good I decided to add some gentle hill repeats.
I felt great!
The heat really helps my body feel less sore and stiff so bring on the next couple of days of 32 and 36 deg!
Tomorrow is New Years Eve and I'm looking forward to spending the day reflecting on 2011 and pasting everything I have been collecting onto my 2012 Vision Board so it is ready to go for Jan 1.
This is my favourite day of the year without a doubt.
I felt great!
The heat really helps my body feel less sore and stiff so bring on the next couple of days of 32 and 36 deg!
Tomorrow is New Years Eve and I'm looking forward to spending the day reflecting on 2011 and pasting everything I have been collecting onto my 2012 Vision Board so it is ready to go for Jan 1.
This is my favourite day of the year without a doubt.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Change of pace
When I first set this blog up I was hoping to juggle taekwondo and triathlon again but instead of going to plan it threw up a whole bunch of injury issues that just wouldn't settle.
It was a rough end to the Year but I learned a lesson, albeit (as usual) the hard way!!
The lesson is this....
I cannot do everything.
I know!! Who would have thought!!
So what to do??!!
In the end the decision was not a hard one, no more tri training.
My hip and SIJ just can't handle it, once I have surgery I'll revisit it but for now and for this year no more tri stuff.
The focus this year is on 2 things:
1: Get my body fighting fit.
I am playing with the idea of the Masters Games (taekwondo) but aside from that I only truly feel fit when I know I can spar round after round.
This also means being flexible and injury free.
2: Be a student to become a Master.
I graded for my 5th dan earlier this year and at 5th dan a lot of instructors would call themselves Master (whether they really should or not!!) but I feel strongly that if you wish to see yourself as a Master, you need to BE a Master.
I have no desire for my students or anyone else to call me Master it is more about buckling down and starting to take my rank seriously.
Each time I have graded for a dan level I don't think I really took on board what it meant, I just get on with the task of training, instructing and trying to find new and better ways to ensure my students progress and learn the ways of taekwondo.
I'm still not a 100% sure what I mean but I have faith I will know it when I see it.
In late November I began one-on-one training once a week with a 9th dan Master (Master YY Oh)
and this is exactly what I have been missing in my training.
I have missed being a student but now I am again and it is very exciting and very humbling at the same time.
So now this blog will be more about taekwondo and my journey towards my 6th degree black belt in 4.5 years from now and all that encompasses.
It was a rough end to the Year but I learned a lesson, albeit (as usual) the hard way!!
The lesson is this....
I cannot do everything.
I know!! Who would have thought!!
So what to do??!!
In the end the decision was not a hard one, no more tri training.
My hip and SIJ just can't handle it, once I have surgery I'll revisit it but for now and for this year no more tri stuff.
The focus this year is on 2 things:
1: Get my body fighting fit.
I am playing with the idea of the Masters Games (taekwondo) but aside from that I only truly feel fit when I know I can spar round after round.
This also means being flexible and injury free.
2: Be a student to become a Master.
I graded for my 5th dan earlier this year and at 5th dan a lot of instructors would call themselves Master (whether they really should or not!!) but I feel strongly that if you wish to see yourself as a Master, you need to BE a Master.
I have no desire for my students or anyone else to call me Master it is more about buckling down and starting to take my rank seriously.
Each time I have graded for a dan level I don't think I really took on board what it meant, I just get on with the task of training, instructing and trying to find new and better ways to ensure my students progress and learn the ways of taekwondo.
I'm still not a 100% sure what I mean but I have faith I will know it when I see it.
In late November I began one-on-one training once a week with a 9th dan Master (Master YY Oh)
and this is exactly what I have been missing in my training.
I have missed being a student but now I am again and it is very exciting and very humbling at the same time.
So now this blog will be more about taekwondo and my journey towards my 6th degree black belt in 4.5 years from now and all that encompasses.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
On a roll...
So far the week has gone to plan so that's something!
Busy with work right now but having to be super organised means I am getting a lot done both training and work wise so things are good.
Last night I got some more training in after my excellent start to the week.
An hour of training with my students plus a bit more when Cam & I took the ladies self defence class.
Cam decided it was a good idea to do some boxing.
Good in theory but we have this long running thing where whenever Cam and I spar we box (Cams specialty - well one of them!) so I don't get to kick!
So as per normal he got me a ripper in the nose so I fired up and got a few in but it is all in good fun :)
Some of those ladies in class are so funny, they are so full on and when you see women with all guts and heart and not a lot of skill it usually always ends in tears when you have to let them know via the gloves they need to ease up. Didn't happen last night thank-fully.
Bunch of tough nuts and lots of fun.
I just got off the windtrainer.
20 minutes and I have to say 20 minutes too long on that thing - I don't know how the hell I was doing 2hr stints on it.
Am easing into the bike with my knee not being a happy camper after RPM - no twinges tonight at all so that is a good sign.
I'll hit Casey Fields on Friday and I'll enjoy that much more wind and all.
Today I did a 4wk check on my latest PT client and she is going great guns.
Her heart rate after the 3 minute step test was 128bpm 4 weeks ago and today it was around 90bpm!! Awesome fitness gains plus she has lost around 4kg in 4 weeks and a heap of cm's so I'm happy.
She hadn't been doing any weights at all so we can also count on a kg or two of muscle mass so to still lose 4kg is excellent.
I promised her 12kg in 12 weeks and we are on track plus her fitness is improving even faster than I anticipated so we are both pretty happy.
The other thing I love to hear is that she is struggling to eat everything I have asked her to eat so she isn't starving and she has had some social stuff to go to as well.
This is always really rewarding for me, so many women still think they need to starve or not eat carbs to lose weight and it just ain't true and every time my clients succeed using my methods it always seems like another win :)
Tomorrow is a run and weights and I'm going to try to squeeze some solo TKD training in as well.
Busy with work right now but having to be super organised means I am getting a lot done both training and work wise so things are good.
Last night I got some more training in after my excellent start to the week.
An hour of training with my students plus a bit more when Cam & I took the ladies self defence class.
Cam decided it was a good idea to do some boxing.
Good in theory but we have this long running thing where whenever Cam and I spar we box (Cams specialty - well one of them!) so I don't get to kick!
So as per normal he got me a ripper in the nose so I fired up and got a few in but it is all in good fun :)
Some of those ladies in class are so funny, they are so full on and when you see women with all guts and heart and not a lot of skill it usually always ends in tears when you have to let them know via the gloves they need to ease up. Didn't happen last night thank-fully.
Bunch of tough nuts and lots of fun.
I just got off the windtrainer.
20 minutes and I have to say 20 minutes too long on that thing - I don't know how the hell I was doing 2hr stints on it.
Am easing into the bike with my knee not being a happy camper after RPM - no twinges tonight at all so that is a good sign.
I'll hit Casey Fields on Friday and I'll enjoy that much more wind and all.
Today I did a 4wk check on my latest PT client and she is going great guns.
Her heart rate after the 3 minute step test was 128bpm 4 weeks ago and today it was around 90bpm!! Awesome fitness gains plus she has lost around 4kg in 4 weeks and a heap of cm's so I'm happy.
She hadn't been doing any weights at all so we can also count on a kg or two of muscle mass so to still lose 4kg is excellent.
I promised her 12kg in 12 weeks and we are on track plus her fitness is improving even faster than I anticipated so we are both pretty happy.
The other thing I love to hear is that she is struggling to eat everything I have asked her to eat so she isn't starving and she has had some social stuff to go to as well.
This is always really rewarding for me, so many women still think they need to starve or not eat carbs to lose weight and it just ain't true and every time my clients succeed using my methods it always seems like another win :)
Tomorrow is a run and weights and I'm going to try to squeeze some solo TKD training in as well.
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