Blah. Cold weather. Storm coming in. Already I’ve been a bit sick. I didn’t get to go to the do jang the rest of last week. The change in weather kind of hit me bad. I also guess maybe I wasn’t used to running in the cold. Therefore, last week was a bust for exercise. Then, I had to go to the do jang on Saturday (December 10) to do a self-defence demo for the X-mas party. Somehow, goddess bless me, I managed to do a fairly good demo (at least that’s what Nathan is telling me :)). Then, I still needed Sunday and Monday to recover. So… this week…<\/p>\n
Tuesday, December 13<\/p>\n
I went to the do jang for gumdo and taekwondo class. As I was still recovering from being a bit sick and not exercising for a whole week, I was pretty tired on Tuesday. I almost didn’t take taekwondo. I probably shouldn’t have. Halfway through the class my bad knee started acting up and was shaking. Not good. Figured I just needed some more rest and try again the next day. I did manage to go to the gym and do a little bit of weights, especially for my knee. Weight training usually helps get my muscles back to the idea of working out again.<\/p>\n
Leg press
\nHamstring flexor
\nPull-ups (again military and parallel)
\nDips
\nShoulder fly
\nShoulder lift<\/p>\n
Wednesday, December 14<\/p>\n
I went to the do jang again. I made it in time for poomse class and the regular taekwondo class. My knee is feeling better. It’s still a little shaky, but it’s just getting used to working out again. The drop in temperature these days doesn’t help much. I stayed a bit after class to practice some more stuff. I needed to practice some jumping kicks. I did a few then gave up since I was tired from the class already. Then I practiced some breakfall rolling, both right and left side. My left side is a little off. I don’t quite roll straight yet – just haven’t practiced that side as much. Then, tried doing a handstand. Hard work. I was using the wall to shuffle my feet up. I’m just not used to holding my weight up yet. Afterward, I headed out to the gym to do some more weights.<\/p>\n
Leg press
\nHamstring flexor
\nHip adductors
\nHip abductors
\nPull-ups (again military and parallel)
\nDips
\nChest press
\nBar pulls (works the muscles next to the scapulae on the back)
\nPectoral press
\nShoulder fly
\nShoulder lift
\nLeg lifts
\nBack extensor<\/p>\n
When I got home, Nathan helped me do a handstand. Tried it a few times shuffling my feet up the wall. Then tried it the normal way. Nathan had to help me get my legs all the way up and then I couldn’t hold my weight too long. I think part of it is the balance. Have to get that perfect alignment where the body is balanced well. Anyway, will try again some other time. Next I need to learn to do cartwheels as I’ve never really done them before. Everyone tells me cartwheels are easier than handstands, probably because you don’t have to hold yourself up for long.<\/p>\n
No running yet this week, not since last Monday. Next time I’ll cover my mouth with a scarf as well as wear my hat. I’m afraid it might be the cold air that helped me get sick. The cold air is also very dry – might have hurt my throat from that.<\/p>\n