Curses, Foiled Again

I did my brown belt test on Friday night and it went well, if not as I expected. There was only me and two others testing and the other two were going for yellow and orange belts. So in essence I did the majority of my test alone.

I was expecting a 2 hour marathon and instead got a 1 hour sprint. It was a lot of material to cover and I had to do it bang-bang-bang without much pause. I managed the hold escapes very well, and the come-alongs and takedowns with relative ease, but sort of whiffed on the ground defense as I forgot half of them (4/8) on the first try.

I was supposed to get get my brown belt yesterday at class but I had to no go as work got very busy. There was some team shuffles and I had meetings in the afternoon that forced me to stay and get ready for. Curses, foiled again. I should have no problem going to class tomorrow though.

Brain Freeze

There are a lot of techniques you have to remember in Jiu Jitsu. Usually its stuff from last belt you have the hardest time remembering but sometimes its stuff you didn't expect that you've been doing for years that trips you up.

Last night I was in a review session for my belt test later this month when I was asked to do an inside bent wrist comealong. This is a technique from white or yellow belt and one I've worked on over the years a lot. However, I haven't looked at it or thought about it in 6 months since it has not come up in classes.

I screwed it up. Then I got confused with the Outside bent wrist comealong which is taught at the same time in the cirriculum and totally brain froze. Just blank.

After a quick reminder demonstration from the instructor it started to come back to me but it was so embarrasing. Fortunately I had little trouble with the rest of the comealongs (except as usual, completely forgetting what technique the reverse wrist long comealong is... I can do it, just never associate name with technique).

This is why we do review: to find out what we've forgotten and to fine tune everything. Belt test is on the 24th.

Training

So I've have continued my Jiu Jitsu training and I'm approaching my Brown Belt test next month.

Part of the training for this test and the following period where I work on my black belt is to really get my stamina up once more. This past summer I admit I enjoyed the good life through food a bit too much and it was really starting to tell in my endurance. This didn't affect tennis as much as JJ since my reflexes have remained ok and I was alright for short bursts of running, but any long term stuff drained me quickly.

So the past weeks since the end of vacation I really put my foot down and worked on it. It seems to be working as I feel better and the jeans are not as uncomfortably tight as they were getting. Last JJ class was vigorous but I managed to stay on my feet, and last night at tennis I had a lot of problems but my body was not one of them and seemed ready to go on had I had more time.

Speaking of Tennis, my record against Andrew has not been stellar last couple of weeks. After a fairly equal June and July, my record against Andrew in August has been bad, losing 6-3, 6-4, 3-0, 6-3 before finally tying him 4-4 in the second set last night. Like I said, I don't feel slower but it seems to be a combination of Andrew really hitting the back of the court well with his strikes while I lost a bit of swing on my forehand the past month and ended up giving him a lot of bouncy crap up the middle that he just pastes. I tried working on that last night and the second set started to bear fruit before we called it due to time. The truth is I have to hit it low and hard to keep pace with him; he'll kill me if I let up to much.

Long Time, No Post

I've neglected this blog mainly because it seemed it was becoming a blog all about the Boys and I'm wasn't sure I was happy with that.

After a few weeks of considering I've decided to carry on with my one or two posts a week, usually detailing the trials and tribulations of raising the twins.

So, where were we? Last post was just after Easter, eh? Well, since then the boys had their first birthday including party and cake, they are progressing well in standing and crawling and are inching closer to toddling, and then last week came down with a new head cold that wasn't quite as severe as the one at the end of April but was still the cause of a couple restless nights.

Then, just as the weekend was arriving and the colds seemed to have run their course, Kim's lower back went wonky and she is in pain and has trouble lifting the boys. She is seeing the chiropractor today and my mom is up to help out with the twins, and Kim's mom will be up tomorrow if Kim does not stage a massive recovery. Since she was out of commission on the weekend, we never made that trip to town to get new shoes that we wanted to. I desperately need new shoes.

In other news, I got my second stripe for the purple belt so only 18 more classes until I get my third, then review all the material from white to purple for my brown belt test. I figure sometime in the fall that should happen. Then, a year of training for my Black Belt. Woot.

Busy Busy Busy

Sorry for the lack of posts. Work has been busy. Here is a rundown of the major points of the past few days.

Friday:
I went for and got my Purple belt in Jiu Jitsu. Now I'm half a year away from brown belt, and then another year to Black Belt first degree. I'm very excited. The test went well and I felt very good at the end, like I could go for another hour. Which is good because the tests only get harder and longer.

Saturday:
Kim left for a Mother-Daughter weekend with her mom and aunts and I had my first 24 hour period alone with the boys. They were perfect for me, happy, napping, and eating just fine. There was a couple of times when it got a little boring in the afternoon and a walk would have spiced things up, but it was raining and we stayed in. They went to bed fairly easily (Sean seems to be learning the new routine very nicely) and I had a quiet evening on the computer.

Sunday:
Nothing exciting happened. Did some pumpkin pictures with the boys... they didn't like it.

Going for Purple

I completed my "red tip review" in Jiu Jitsu class today, and I am scheduled for my purple belt test this Friday evening at 7pm. I'm confident I'll pass the test with no problems, and I'm looking forward to the next phase of training for my brown belt.

Physically my ten pounds of weight loss coupled with improved conditioning leave me confident I will get through the test without collapsing, but my main concern continues to be my breathing. I just get out of breath so quickly. Give me a minute and I get it back but sometime you don't have that option. My muscles are OK and I can go for hours with quick breaks to catch my breath, its just the burst activities that slow me down.

In tennis its not a problem because I get chances to catch my breath between rallies with the serves and fetching the balls. In normal classes its only a problem during sparring or grappling, and in grappling I can usually do fine anyways with using technique over strength. But reviews and tests with all those punches, kicks, techniques, getting up, going down... sometimes there is not a good chance to rest for 30 seconds.

I don't anticipate a huge problem this test because my green belt test was easy, but going for brown and black is going to be a different story and I'll need to get this breathing thing under control or its going to be a very long test.

Purple Belt Incoming

Today Jiu Jitsu class was me and the dojo owner and a black belt who sometimes instructs. They suggested I do my third stripe review since its scheduled for Monday night and there were no other students and I said "Sure!"

It was over in short order and I'm set at third stripe blue belt. Now I have to do my red tip review and then test for the purple belt, probably in October.

Jiu Jitsu Update

I think its been a while since my last martial arts update so I figure its time for one.

The weight gain of the past year coupled with stretches of time off due to the pregnancy and then the boys has been telling especially in class. Warm ups that were mildly tiring became huffing and puffing extravaganzas and they were what prompted me to get really concerned with the weight. I knew I was getting out of shape and I knew I needed to be in far better shape to continue progression.

I got up to my second stripe in Blue but it took a long time. Now that work, life, and everything else is settling down I'm getting more classes in. Coupled with lowering weight (currently 223.5, down 4.5 so far) and more effort at conditioning and already the past week of classes have been easier and less stressful.

Regardless of the weight and shape, I am finding that my skills have been improving and are getting to the point where I don't feel totally uncoordinated all the time any more. My kicks are improving in height and speed, punches are easier, and throws and breakfalls are more natural. I'm actually starting to feel like an advanced belt.

Its a good thing too. I should be going for my purple belt in September or October, and getting my brown belt next spring. Then it will be more intensive training for my black belt which I should have in later 2009 or early 2010. Black belt. Me. Wow, its starting to feel real.

Just gotta lose this weight first!

Jiu Jitsu Update

I'm still attending Jiu Jitsu classes twice a week when work does not interfere. Today I got my second stripe for Blue Belt, and I should have my third stripe in about two month's time, and my purple belt a fewweeks after that! So say mid to late September.

Ouch

I went to my first Jiu Jitsu class in 3 weeks yesterday. It was a killer of a class.

Not that we did anything too strenuous compared to normal, but I was so out of shape that I felt like my lungs were going to burst and I woke up in the middle of the night with aching calves to the point of requiring pain killers.

Today I'm just stiff as hell. Especially my thighs.

Fortunately if Christmas vacations are anything to judge by, I should be back up to speed by next week.

Side note: Tennis with Andrew starts this week.

Two Things:

1) Andrew informed me that my posts were showing up as authored by "Kirith Kodachi/Farseer Bill" which probably makes no sense to most of my small readership. I have a gaming blog where I post with those names and since both blogs are under the same account, there is some crossover. Since I am the only author of this blog, I changed the template to just show the posting time and not the author.

2) I got my first stripe for Blue Belt yesterday, probably the last advancement before the babies arrive and my free time becomes secondary consideration, which means I will probably not get my second stripe until late summer or fall.

That's it, carry on.

Sore

Its amazing how much and how quickly the body's physical fitness degrades. I was off from Jiu Jitsu for about three weeks due to my surgery and Christmas holidays. This past Monday was my first class back and I was exhausted by the end of it and sore the next day even though it was not an overly strenuous class.

Then today I had my second class back and I was practically shaking from exhaustion at the end of it. Sad really. Next year I'll have to work harder over the break at getting some exercise.

Regardless, its good to be back fighting the weight monster with a fresh exciting year ahead.

Blue Belt Test Done

Last night I went for my blue belt test and I did really well. I don't get my belt until next class which for me is next Wednesday, but I have no doubts I passed.

I actually found this test far easier than my last two. Normally there is a belt test night once a month, but due to scheduling conflicts I never made it to one and did my tests one on one with a Sensi. The difference is that when there are multiple people testing, like last night there were 6 of us, you have plenty of mini-breaks while others are doing their techniques and there is less attention on you as the instructors need to watch everyone. So I never felt overly winded and felt like I could go another hour at least.

The most worrisome part for me was the jiu-jitsu circle where you stand in the middle and people come at you one after another putting surprise holds on you and you have to remember how to deal with it. Last time I was quite winded by the end of the two parts (one with eyes open, one with blindfold on) but I've been working on my breathing and combined with the rest of the test being less strenuous I had no problems.

Which is good because I'm only just over halfway through the material for Black Belt.

Hey, I Can Do This

Well, I'm all set for my Blue Belt test next week, Wednesday evening. This is a big step for me.

A decade ago when I started Jiu Jitsu the first time, I achieved my green belt and had to quit as work forced me to move to Barrie. When I restarted last year in March getting back to green belt was something I knew I could do because I had done it before.

But now as I get ready for the blue belt test I'm entering uncharted territory and for the first time, getting a black belt is something I can actually picture myself doing. After all, blue belt is over half way there in terms of ranks and as the material goes by in class it because apparent that the requirements is a matter of memorization, practice, and dedication. There is nothing in brown belt material, for example, that is based on something you haven't before.

Its an exciting feeling, but first I have to get my blue belt. And then survive Kim's pregnancy. And the arrival of the twins. And raising them.

Oh boy.

Three Rules of Knife Defense

You are faced with someone attacking you with a knife. Here are the three rules of defending yourself.

1. Run.

A study showed that police officers were more likely to get hurt facing an assailant with a knife than with a gun. Why? Because you have to be a certain kind of crazy to threaten someone with a knife. A gun is very impersonal and disconnected; a finger pulls a trigger and then boom! Its a very disconnected process from action to result and as such a lot of people wield guns but don't necessarily mean to use them. But to hurt someone with a knife you've got to put your whole body into it, hand, arm, chest. You just don't accidentally stab someone to death. So when the police face someone with a gun, they might not mean to use it; but someone with a knife is more likely to be thinking "how can I cut you?".

2. If you can't run, get something between you and the knife.

A pillow, garbage can lid, umbrella, another knife. Anything to move your body out of harms way.

3. Expect to get cut.

What happens when you prick yourself? You yell "ow!" and pull your finger back to inspect the damage, maybe squeeze it. If someone slices you with a knife and you have the same reaction, you're going to be in trouble as they wade in for the second, third, and fourth blows. You have to override your instincts and expect that shock of the cut so you can still defend yourself from the next attack.

Oh BTW

Speaking of Tuesday, the third stripe review for my green belt went fine and now I'm into studying for my belt test, probably next month. It will be tough, not only lots of stuff to remember but also a lot of stuff to practice and get right, and as always my stamina is a concern during the cardio activities. I can go a decent pace for hours and hours with burst of speed, but any "sprinting" for longer than a minute is a struggle.

Stripe Test Tonight

I barely remember my first stripe test for the green belt last spring. My second stripe I didn't really study for much with summer heating up and did the test in the middle of my vacation and it wasn't my best showing.

For the first while after that I didn't really concentrate on my third stripe due to IVF appointments and such but now that I've had a good month of regular schedule I've been able to get working and tonight I'm ready for my third stripe test. I'm pretty confident the review will be quick as I definitely have seen and practiced all the items on the list.

What I'm more worried about it what comes next: the red tip review and the subsequent belt test. White belt stuff I remember fine, yellow belt stuff not an issue, but orange belt material? Can't remember what it consists of, and early green belt material seems like a far off dream. Gonna be a long autumn. :)

Jiu Jitsu Update

Martial Arts is an interesting sport activity. While their are tournaments, they are the rare exception for most participants and their is no league or playoff "games". There is no season. Instead their is progress from white to black and beyond, and the progress is not a steady climb but rather a jumpy increase with spikes and plateaus.

The first six months of training when you begin any martial art is the deer-in-the-headlights time when everything is new and strange. How to move, how to take down, how to be taken down, every class is an eye-opener to things you never considered about fighting and self defense. The first three months you work every class and its a steep climb to your white belt as your confidence grows and you start to feel a little more comfortable. The next three months as yellow you have a bit of confidence but you are still working on the basics from white while getting the next set of basics for yellow.

All of this training in the first six months comes to a head in your test for your orange belt and when you succeed in that test you hit the first plateau. You can step back, relax, and enjoy being an orange belt student, an indication that you are familiar with the martial art and got the basics at least familiarized if not memorized. Eventually you get to the first stripe review and the plateau comes to an end as you begin really working on the next belt level. Steady progress is made as you learn new techniques that seem familiar as they build on the basics learned in white and yellow. After a while you do your next two reviews and then you are back in intense training for your belt test just like your first six months when you started. You review all the material, doing everything several times over a few weeks (or months for higher belts) and then doing it again. Finally you go for your test and achieve the next belt colour and enter a new rest period, a new plateau.

Last night my plateau for achieving the green belt came to an end as I had my first stripe review. It went very well with the exception of me deciding against trying breakfall 14 which involves doing a handstand and then curling and falling on your feet and across your shoulders. My back was twinging and I opted not to aggravate it. Now I start to work harder on green belt material and get ready for that Blue belt test in the late summer.

Green Belt

I did my green belt test last Friday and I nailed it. Only a few missteps but some things I've been having trouble with I really got spot on. I was very happy and my instructors gave me high praise.

My biggest worry going in was stamina but that wasn't an issue. However breathing during cardio techniques such as Jiu Jitsu circle or sparring is an issue. The Sensi thinks I'm breathing too shallowly and therefore not using enough of my lungs as a result. Definitely need to work on that.

Next goal, get my Blue belt by the fall!

Belt Test Booked

My green belt exam is scheduled for next Friday afternoon so I'm booking the half day off work so I don't feel rushed. I also lined up my uke Patrick who is the perfect size: not to big, not too small.

Now I just got to work on my comealongs.