Pneumatised!

This week so far has been busy. Since I’m working on my reiki manuals, I haven’t had much time to go running or to the gym – I’ve only had time for the do jang.

Tuesday, I went to gumdo and taekwondo class. Gumdo was a good class and since I hadn’t done a good gumdo class in awhile, my arms were suitably worked out. I think I remembered my kyo gum and ssang soo correctly. I will have to check sometime to make sure I didn’t miss any moves that’s supposed to be in the patterns. Taekwondo was “crazy kicking class”. Lots of kicking and some non-contact sparring. My knee was a little buggy because of the rain, but overall I wasn’t too tired and had some energy for sparring. Then we did lots of kicking drills. By the time I got home, my legs and arms were suitably worked out – not overly tired or sore which is good as it means I’m getting used to taking two classes in a row again.

Thursday, I went to the do jang for gumdo and taekwondo again. Same as last time, lots of kicking though not as much sparring and my knee wasn’t bothering me. 🙂

Been busy the past week writing my reiki manual, so still haven’t had a chance to go for a run. 🙁 I’m hoping tomorrow I can get a run in.

Cassandrah
Your local webmistress
Brigid’s Flame

Saturday, January 7

Had a black belt meeting, but we didn’t have any training. I decided to go to the gym afterwards. I did a half mile on treadmill (dreadmill!) and then stopped. My time was 4 minutes 20 seconds. I’m realizing it’s very hard to do a mile on the treadmill because it’s just sooo boring! Nothing interesting to see or look at when you run outside. Then I just did my normal weight routine.

Leg press
Hamstring flexor
Hip adductors
Hip abductors
Pull-ups (again military and parallel)
Dips
Chest press
Bar pulls (works the muscles next to the scapulae on the back)
Pectoral press
Shoulder fly
Shoulder lift
Tricep extensor
Leg lifts
Back extensor
Bicep curl

I also did some free weights – two shoulder exercises and wrist strengthening which I hadn’t done for awhile. I did some side cruncehs and my pushups. Then of course I did some stretching before I headed home.

Sunday, January 8

I went to the do jang. I warmed up with some slow kicking and then took class. It was a nice small class. Had time to work on all the kicks. I should really try to get up earlier on the weekends so I can train those days. Less busy and chaotic than on the weekdays and it would be nice to be able to stay home and get work done weekday nights.

Tuesday, January 10

I went running in the afternoon. I ran 1 mile to Yonge/Bloor via church. My time was 9 minutes 8 seconds. Then I did a half mile back from Park Road and Bloor. My time was a decent 4 minutes 57 seconds.

That evening I finally went to my gumdo class. I was taking a break for awhile and figured it was time I went back. Then I took taekwondo class after.

Wednesday, January 11

I went to the do jang again for taekwondo. It was patterns class and I ended up teaching. The next class we did patterns too, so I ended up teaching again.

Thursday, January 12

I did a half mile run to Park Road and Bloor. My time was a little slow – 4 minutes 40 seconds. Then I did a mile run back via Yonge/Church. This time was a little faster – 8 minutes 47 seconds.

Sunday, January 15

Too cold! I decided to try a run anyway. I forgot my scarf to cover my mouth with and with the cold hitting me hard, I only did a half mile run (my time was 4 minutes 46 seconds) and headed over to the gym – alternating between walking and running.

Leg press
Hamstring flexor
Hip adductors
Hip abductors
Pull-ups (again military and parallel)
Dips
Chest press
Bar pulls (works the muscles next to the scapulae on the back)
Pectoral press
Shoulder fly
Shoulder lift
Tricep extensor
Leg lifts
Back extensor
Bicep curl
Free weights – two shoulder exercises and wrist strengthening

Then I headed home. I made a few stops then ran home from Isabella and Yonge. Brr! It was cold. Definitely a winter day.

Cassandrah
Your local webmistress
Brigid’s Flame

MM,

I went for a mile run on Tuesday (January 3). It felt good to get out and run. I was a bit worried about it since I hadn’t gone for a run since mid-December, but I did fine. My time was 9 minutes 25 seconds. It was good warm-up for me as I was heading to the gym after for my usual weight training.

Leg press
Hamstring flexor
Hip adductors
Hip abductors
Pull-ups (again military and parallel)
Dips
Chest press
Bar pulls (works the muscles next to the scapulae on the back)
Pectoral press
Shoulder fly
Shoulder lift
Bicep curl
Tricep extensor
Leg lifts
Back extensor

I was also a little worried about the weight training since I hadn’t done much of that either (just some pushups and some free weights at home), but I continued pretty much where I left off.

I hadn’t been in the do jang yet. I’ve been a bit busy with other things to do. This month is going to be busy and I guess I’m trying to ensure some time for myself before that happens.

We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

BB,
Cassandrah
Your local webmistress
Brigid’s Flame

MM,

Finally, I present some of my best training drills for the basics of taekwondo under the taekwondo section of my website. Please see http://www.brigidsflame.com/goodtaekwondoist.html.

Please note that the article is written for those already training in taekwondo. It is not recommended that you try any of the exercises suggested in the article without any prior taekwondo training or without any guidance.

Hope you enjoy the article!

BB,
Cassandrah
Your local webmistress
Brigid’s Flame

Friday, December 16

I went for a mile run to Yonge/Bloor. I went up Church Street then south on Yonge. My time was 9 minutes 14 seconds. This was slower than my fastest time, but as the ground might have been a little icy, I decided to be careful on my run. Either way, the run felt good especially since I was feeling a little sick the past week.

I still need to motivate myself more now that winter is almost here. Hopefully the increase in daylight after the solstice will help. 😀 (Saule, Saule, shining one, light my way to glory…)

Cassandrah
Your local webmistress
Brigid’s Flame

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…

Tuesday, December 13

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.

Leg press
Hamstring flexor
Pull-ups (again military and parallel)
Dips
Shoulder fly
Shoulder lift

Wednesday, December 14

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.

Leg press
Hamstring flexor
Hip adductors
Hip abductors
Pull-ups (again military and parallel)
Dips
Chest press
Bar pulls (works the muscles next to the scapulae on the back)
Pectoral press
Shoulder fly
Shoulder lift
Leg lifts
Back extensor

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.

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.

Cassandrah
Your local webmistress
Brigid’s Flame

Went in today and took taekwondo. It was a good class, good way to start the week. I missed the poomse class because I didn’t feel like teaching today and figured I’d practice patterns tomorrow or Wednesday.

After class I ran through some of my gumdo techniques. I hadn’t taken class for awhile so I wanted to run through the stuff briefly. Still need more work on some of the techniques. After taking the hapkido class a few weekends ago, I feel more comfortable with the breakfall rolls. (I have to do that with a sword for gumdo). I guess I’ll try to make the gumdo class tomorrow.

Cassandrah
Your local webmistress
Brigid’s Flame

Today, I decided to finally try running 1.5 miles. It was a little hard the first time out. Always is. Have to get used to the distance and make sure I have enough energy for the extra half mile. It was a tough run, especially with this cold weather, but I managed to survive. Now that I’ve had a chance to catch my breath, I’m feeling good. My time for the run today was 13 minutes 23 seconds. Apparently, that’s U.S. Navy qualifications (according to Nathan) for an age group younger than mine. 😀 For my age group, it’s rated excellent. (And I used to hate running.)

Okay, I have to make myself go to the do jang tonight so…

Lates,
Cassandrah
Your local webmistress
Brigid’s Flame

Sources:

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/navfitness/blfemale17-19.htm
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/navfitness/blfemale30-34.htm

Saturday, November 26

A former taekwondo instructor of mine started teaching hapkido classes, so Nathan and I went to try a class out. It was interesting. Some different kicks that aren’t taught in taekwondo these days. Of course, we practiced some breakfall rolls. Fun, but very hard work. I was getting a little dizzy. Hehe.

Monday, November 28

A busy day for me.

I went for a run to Park Road and Bloor Street for a warm-up run. My time was 4 minutes 34 seconds. Then I ran home from Yonge and Bloor going north on Yonge to Church, then down church to home. My time was 8 minutes 16 seconds.

Later, I went to the do jang to practice some patterns and some advanced kicking. I went to the gym after I was done at the do jang.

Leg press
Hamstring flexor
Hip adductors
Hip abductors
Pull-ups (again military and parallel)
Dips
Chest press
Bar pulls (works the muscles next to the scapulae on the back)
Pectoral press
Shoulder fly
Shoulder lift
Bicep curl
Tricep extensor
Leg lifts
Back extensor

As my brachiali were still sore, I didn’t do many reps on the bicep curl. I skipped out on pushups and stretching and went home. I was feeling moody, my knee was bothering me probably because of the rain, and the rainy day was dampening my spirits. On top of it all I wanted to get home to finish reading my book.

Wednesday, November 30

I went to the do jang again for taekwondo class. I did manage to take class this time. Then I went to the gym after.

Leg press
Hamstring flexor
Hip adductors
Hip abductors
Pull-ups (again military and parallel)
Dips
Chest press
Bar pulls (works the muscles next to the scapulae on the back)
Pectoral press
Shoulder fly
Shoulder lift

I didn’t do all my workout at the gym. I decided to go home and do some more exercises there. Using free weights, I did the bicep curls and some extra shoulder exercises. I worked on the back muscles (lie down on the ground on the stomach and lift the upper body off the ground). I did some pushups since I’ve been taking it too easy on that lately.

Thursday, December 1

I missed class at the do jang. I hadn’t been in the mood for gumdo lately. Too much on my mind. I basically went in to practice for the demo.

Sunday, December 4

I went for a quick run to Church and Bloor then back home. My time for the run was 8 minutes 27 seconds.

Cassandrah
Your local webmistress
Brigid’s Flame