One more rotation around the sun. I made it one more rotation around the sun. Yay!
So this is not going to be my usual training post, but maybe a more abbreviated post that is going to jump around to three main things that happened during this last week.
It just so happens that I finished an 8 week Weight Lifting program and the week we went on vacation was a deloading week.
Normally I would workout and train through my vacation because I believe in keeping up my schedule but I also have learned that I need to take these deloading weeks off. So this post is going to be different than my other posts. Just because I don’t have a lot of
So what did I do for my natal day? I went to the beach. My happy place.
Deloading/Detraining week:
Deloading means – stopping regular training and letting your body rest. You still want to stay active, just not do any hard training.
I did not work out but I did go boogie boarding with my kiddos at the beach. I did go walking around a state park with my family. I did climb a huge look out tower with my kids and we did have a blast just enjoying each others company.
Nutrition:
I did not track my food intake. I gave myself a break from the tracking and I wanted to just focus on enjoying the moments. I did try to make sure I made smart decisions on my food, but I did not restrict myself either.
The number on the scale did not go up or down but stayed steady.
Kali/Silat/JKD Seminar with Sifu Mike Mathews:
The training I did end up doing was a two day 3 hour per day seminar. We learned Kali drills/strikes, Silat drills/strikes, and Jeet Kune Do drills/strikes.
I learned so much. I felt like my brain was a sponge. I don’t know if it was cause I took the week off for vacation and I was able to relax. Maybe it was because I took the week off and let my body reset. Quite possibly it was because I did both at the same time.
I was able to watch Sifu Mathews work and watch how his hands worked, how his body moved and able to apply it to my techniques. Am I saying I am an expert? Nope not in the least. I will never stop learning, but I was able to as I said absorb the information. I felt like everything was clicking. I was even able to help my fellow students understand a Kali stick and elbow lock.
We covered some really cool things:
3 inch punch set up
Jeet Kune Do One Inch Punch, The Three Inch Punch, and the 6 Inch Punch.
Kali we worked on Hubud, with a stick and empty hand. Some new techniques I had not seen before, and I brought intent.
We worked the 15 wrist locks flow.
We worked the JKD wedge and knife hand flow
We worked Silat’s, Basset Dalam, Sapu Luar, and the Sayaw Dance or Knife 12 disarms
So that was my last week. We were able to go to my favorite place… the beach. I was able to relax, read, and spend time with the family. We had the honor to be able to attend a seminar with Sifu Mike Mathews. I was able to learn and hone my skills. I have so much to practice now and pages of notes that I took.
Yes I did have cake! H my partner got me a fantastic mango mousse cake for my birthday. Look how pretty it is. It was light and fluffy. It was delicious, satisfying, and well balanced.
Future:
I have already chosen my new Weight Lifting eight week program.
I am back on track for eating, tracking my nutrients, and getting my training in for Martial Arts and for my Weight Lifting.
I plan on trying to work around my hormones, and working with my body and not against it.
How did your week go? Mine went great. I had the best birthday week ever.
Thank you for reading, if you liked this post please hit the like button. If you want to follow my adventures please subscribe. Comment and let me know how you like to celebrate your birthday. Are you a forest person or beach person? My every day shenanigans are on @sharpcupcake on instagram.
Roll with the punches. A quick Google of this gives you this definition.
“(of a boxer) move one’s body away from an opponent’s blows so as to lessen the impact.
adapt oneself to adverse circumstances.”
Google
Upon further research the earliest quote that is cited is from the 20th century, where in 1903 The Boston Globe was talking about a boxing match. So its been around for a while, a long while like 117 year, and we use it now in the U.S.A. as a phrase that means crap happens and then we deal with it and move on.
“He repeated the blow a few seconds later and also clubbed Johnson on the cheek . . . Johnson allowed his head to roll with the punches and was not hurt. Johnson’s round.”
This post I am getting it in under the wire… as it were. Now I don’t have a set schedule, I hope/try to get it done Sunday, and at the latest Monday, but hey life gets in the way. This last week was a great example of it. Some great things happened, and then some pretty crappy things happened too.
You have to roll with the punches in life when… Having an animal that you love have an eye injury, that required a medical intervention and medication. I had an cake order to do, and standard medical appointments for the kiddos. On top of my regular work schedule and training, there was the usual household needs. It was a crazy week. The good…I also got a chance to participate in and learn from the master of Muay Thai Ajarn Chai in a Zoom seminar.
Life will throw hooks, and crosses at you and you have to adapt and keep going. I don’t do the adapting in a very pretty way all the time, but I keep going. Sometimes it is sitting and having a good ugly cry. However afterward, you have to keep on.
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Monday 08/24/2020: I hour run and kettle bell workout
1 mile run today. I live with scoliosis and that means days can be a surprise as I was running my back was hurting. I pushed through the mile and walked the rest of the way.
Kettlebell workout: 1) Kettlebell Curl Squat and Press- 3x sets of 15 each side (when you only have one KB you have to alternate sides) 2) Kettlebell Halos- 3x sets of 40 ( 20 clockwise, 20 counterclockwise) 3) Kettlebell Goblet Squat- 3x sets of 20 4) Kettlebell swings- 3x sets of swings for 1 minute 5) Kettlebell Turkish Get-Ups- 15 left and 15 right side
Whew I am glad it’s done and I am glad I did it. There is a before and a couple of after shots. I am not one of those girls that can leave the workout looking like I just came out of a salon. Lol
Tuesday 08/25/2020: 1 hour 15 minutes
Today was a fun night of training. I kept my spirits up, even though I could have napped right before class because I was tired. I focused on playing and letting my body do what I have been teaching it to do. Khun Kru Krysta taught a great class again. She also put me on the spot and asked me to teach the Thai 15 count. Right after I got done with extra credit skip knees. So guess who was out of breath? Lol…But I put my big girl pants and taught that 15 count Orthodox style.
I got a nice compliment from one of my teammates he said that, “that I had a very consistent flow and pacing was very good”. He was referring to when I was showing the Thai 15 count.
Training: jump rope 3 minutes, jumping jacks between rounds for active recovery and we threw on skip knees at the end of every two rounds
1) Jab, Cross, #6 Side In Elbow 2) I held pads for H – Jab, Cross, #8 ElbowWe both did 25 skipknees #2
3) Teep, Lead Kick, Cross, Overhand, #3 Elbow, Rear Knee, Rear Kick 4) I held for HWe both did 30 skip knee #2
5) Teep, Rear Hop Kick, Hook, Cross, #8 Elbow, Tie up x 6 skip knees, spin opponent out and double kick 6) I held for H We both did 40 skip knee #2
7) Jab, Cross, Lead Elbow, Rear Elbow, Rear Knee, Rear Kick 8 ) I held for H We both did 25 skip knee #2
9) Thai 15 count – Parry the Cross, high cover the hook, Lead Elbow, Rear Elbow, Rear Knee, Lead Kick, Cross, Hook, Rear Knee, Rear Kick, Teep, Slip, Hook, Cross, Rear Kick 10) I held for HWe both did 25 skip knee #2
Extra training: 11) 20 each leg- round house kicks 12) 20 each leg – leg kicks
And now it’s 11 pm and I pass out. What a great ending to the day.
Some deep thoughts: 1) Woke up sore, and tired in my body, decided to at least run, but then brain was being mean and said, “do you think that is enough?”
2) Decided to take pics because I promised myself I would take pics during my journey and workout adventures. Brain was going to go there with the, “oh I see every flaw, you sure you wanna put that up there?”
3) In the end this is what I have come to the conclusion of. I am am athlete. I may not look like your normally portrayed athlete but I am. I just went for a run and shadow boxing. This is my body. I am improving every day. I don’t have to be negative about my own body.
At the risk of sounding like Stuart Smalley. “I am good enough. I am smart enough. And gosh darn it, people like me.”
Those are my thoughts for today. People if I can get up and do something so can you. Maybe not a run, but maybe only a walk. But get up and do something and tell those brain weasels to stfu. I am trying to. Lol
Thursday 08/27/2020: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Awesome day of training. I was exhausted from terrible sleep last night. But got a nap and had a great time with my Muay Thai family. We worked on elbows, Khun Kru Kryst had us get into a staggered line, and worked the fundamentals of all nine elbows. I love going over those again. I loved working out how to feed and drill the # 8 elbow after a # 3 elbow.
After class I spent ten minutes working on my knees. Trying to jump and get height and my knees higher. I practiced on H and on the teardrop heavy bag. I was able to get six inches higher with my knees just working on jumping and my body mechanics to get it up there.
Now I just have to work the bag and get the time in for practice. Then we focused on about ten minutes with me working on my ups. I am working on getting more height on my jumps. I am getting higher than was before. Because this girl can’t jump yet. But I will!
Training: jump rope 1 x 3 min roundJumping jacks between each roundWe added 25 skip knees extra credit after every two rounds. 1) Jab, Cross, # 7 Side out elbow 2) Held for H Jab, Cross, # 9 Spinning Back Elbow 25 skip knees for each of us
3) Teep, Lead Kick, Cross, Overhand, # 3 downward diagonal elbow, Rear Knee, Rear Kick 4) Held pads for H 25 skip knees for each of us
5) Teep, hop Rear Kick, Hook, Cross, # 7 Side out Elbow, tie up, 6 skip knees, spin out, double kick 6) Held pads for H 25 skip knees for each of us
7) Jab, Cross, Lead Elbow # 1, Rear Elbow # 3, Rear Knee, Rear Kick {switch Elbows # 2, # 8} 8 ) Held pads for H 25 skip knees for each of us
9) Jab, Cross, Lead Elbow # 3, Rear Elbows # 4, 5, Rear Knee, Rear Kick {switch Elbows # 1, # 6,7} 8 ) Held pads for H 25 skip knees for each of us
Skip knee training, grabbing in clench and pulling toward you as you knee. Ups training, jump, switch hip in air, knee, and land.
Saturday 08/29/2020:Muay Thai 1 hour and 15 minutes
Today I worked the drills in all south paw. I am an orthodox fighter. But learning south paw makes it so when you end up in, or land in any stance you can still fight. Knowing how to fight in south paw and orthodox stance is invaluable in that you are ready and can respond instantly and fluidly.
Training: I practiced south paw all morning. Started with Jump RopeJumping jacks in between rounds 1) Jab, Cross, Elbow 6, Elbow 7 2) Held Pads for H
3) Jab, Overhand, Rear Elbow 3, Spinning Back Lead 9 Elbow, Spinning Back Rear 9 Elbow, Rear Knee, Rear Kick 4) Held Pads for H
5) Teep, Split the Cross, return the body shot, Hook, Rear Knee, Rear Kick 6) I Trained the same combo again to get the combo solidified in south paw for me.
7) Teep, Lead Kick, Cross, Overhand, Elbow 3, Rear Knee, Rear Kick 8 ) Held pads for H
After class we worked on some switch teeps, and hop teeps. I need to work on those. Tonight I have a 3 hour Muay Thai Seminar with Ajarn Chai! Yay! Pictures of my hop Teep practice and new shirt that I love that says, “slays well with others” from Grrrl clothing.
Saturday 08/29/2020:Muay Thai Zoom Seminar 3.5 hours of training
I am exhausted. We did this seminar after our usual training today. It was amazing I learned a lot and will maybe write up more about the combos later. Thank you Ajarn Chai and all the people who set this seminar up. Thank you Khun Kru Krysta for setting this up at the gym.
What a week. It has had its ups and downs. I have worked on my ups, my jumps are getting higher. I have had to roll with the punches. My beloved fur baby’s eye is on the mend, and she is taking her medication that we have to hold down and put in her eye, in stride. I got to participate in a seminar with Ajarn Chai. Saturday I clocked nearly 5 hours of Muay Thai training. I learned a great deal in that seminar. My human babies are healthy, their well visit to the doctor went well. Everyone loved the cake I made.
Life is good. Some days/weeks/months a little turbulent but good. I know people are going through various forms of hell, and good times during this time of uncertainty. COVID19 is running a muck here in the good old U.S.A. Believe me when I say it is the idiots in charge, and idiots who follow them that are bringing the rest of us who can actually think in this country down. But we roll with the punches. We have to have hope that we will be able to make change, and things will get better.
Keep fighting for what you believe in. Keep working toward your goals whatever they are. Try not to let life get you down, and if it does take that time to grieve, or cry, or scream, then get back up and fight some more.
Thank you for reading, if you liked it feel free to comment, hit the like button so I know, and subscribe if you have not.
To say this year is not what I remotely thought it would be, would be the understatement of the year. It just seems like one thing after another.
Anyway, everything I was looking forward to for Thai Training has been canceled. We just started going back to training in the gym, with our New Normal training. You know…. training with masks, social distancing, sanitizing everything, and no partner work except for with my H.
We found out, and believe me I understand it is for the safety of me and others, but Thai Camp is canceled this year. I was so looking forward to it.
With everything that is happening this year… its for the best, and I can focus my efforts to fight for those that need help. Fight for those that need a voice.
Well this week I was able to attend for the first time ever in my training a Zoom seminar with Ajarn Chai. He was able to teach us for 3 hours Muay Thai training techniques while he was in Thailand and we were here in America. I loved it. I miss my people, but I loved seeing him and supporting him.
Monday 06/08/2020: 1 hour and 20 minutes 1 mile run, 20 minute weight lifting workout, and 45 minutes calisthenics
It was to hot to cover up my imperfections and things I hate about my body. So I am letting it all hang out.
The words I chose were K.O. GIRL for the Calisthenics workout.
1 mile run in 13:30
Weight Lifting: 1 minute Fast Feet x3 Olympic Back Squats x3 sets of 8 Bulgarian Split Squats x3 sets of 15 each leg
Calisthenics: K.O. GIRL done in a Superset x3 with a minute rest in between
G) 15 Burpees I) 25 Standing Knee Crunches R) 30 Crunches L) 15 Mule Kicks each leg
It was a hot but great workout. I did not want to do it, but put away my wants knowing I needed to do this workout because it’s good for me. In the end I am happy I did. I got to use my new pants and they are freaking awesome. I support these women owned companies that build us up. I felt like a Bad A** in these pants.
Tuesday 06/09/2020: 1 hour and 15 minutes Muay Thai Training
Thank you Khun Kru Krysta for another great Muay Thai class.
It was great to get into class and forget the world for a freaking hour. I was able to punch and kick the sh*t out of bags, pads, and dummies.
That BOB dummy we have now we refer to as Chuck is is very satisfying to hit in the chin over and over again. Kru complimented me on my combos on him. Target acquisition (read face) is much easier for me on a dummy with a face. I am glad Khun Kru brought him in.
Training: (Responsible Training maintaining social distancing, masks, and of course cleaning each station before rotation.)
1) Punch Ball (Target acquisition and reflex training) {jumping Jacks clean up balls} 2) I served Punch Ball to H {jumping Jacks clean up balls}
3) Jab, Cross, Lead Kick (if working fundamentals and you already know them work on perfecting the form) {Jumping Jacks} 4) opposite stance (south paw for me) Jab, Cross, Lead Kick {Jumping Jacks}
5) Jab, Hook, Lead Kick {Jumping Jacks} 6) opposite stance (south paw for me) Jab, Hook, Lead Kick {Jumping Jacks}
7) Jab, Cross, Hook, Lead Kick {Jumping Jacks} 8 ) opposite stance (south paw for me) Jab, Cross, Hook, Lead Kick {Jumping Jacks}
9) Jab, Cross, Hook, Cross, Lead Kick {Jumping Jacks} 10) opposite stance (south paw for me) Jab, Cross, Hook, Cross, Lead Kick {Jumping Jacks}
11) Jab, Lead Elbow, Lead Knee, Lead Kick {Jumping Jacks} 12) opposite stance (south paw for me) Jab, Lead Elbow, Lead Knee, Lead Kick {Jumping Jacks}
It was a great to get my body moving even though I am so sore from yesterday’s training. After we warmed up my body gave in to the training and gave me what I needed. I need to appreciate my body and how amazing it is more often.
Wednesday 06/10/2020: 1 hour and 10 minutes Muay Thai Training
Workout: 45 minute run and calisthenics workout
I am sore and really did not want to do this workout. But I did. I have many thoughts today.
1) Now is not the time to be sedentary in either you political life or physically, get up get moving a and fight for what you believe in. It is far easier to chase down the racist when you already run. 2) It is so creepy when a big utility van slows down turns around and drives slowly behind you. This happened in the middle of the day. I was in a residential neighborhood. Women should not have to live in this kind of fear.
First picture is blown out cause the Day Star was actively attacking me. But I was sweating buckets outside. Second pic better focus.
The word/workout of the day was WONDER thank you Angel.
I ran a mile in this terrible heat.
Weight lifting: Windmills with a shoulder press- 25lb Kettle Bell x 3 sets of 10 each side
Calisthenics: 20 minutes WONDER done in a superset. 30 seconds rest between sets.
Thursday 06/11/2020: 1 hour and 10 minutes Muay Thai Training
What a great class. I am exhausted and I am up way to late because I am compiling a video. I will post when it is done.We are continuing to do the social distancing, mask wearing (which gets hard when you are working out), sanitizing, being good beans training. This makes me happy.Training: Active recovery jumping jacks after every round, and after two rounds we rotated to different stations. Sanitizing our old station.
Jab, Cross, Rear Knee
Opposite side (south paw for me) Jab, Cross, Rear Knee.
Jab, Cross, Lead Elbow, Rear Elbow, Rear Knee, Rear Kick
Opposite side (south paw for me) Jab, Cross, Lead Elbow, Rear Elbow, Rear Knee, Rear Kick
Jab, Cross, Rear Elbow, Rear Knee, Lead kick
Opposite side (south paw for me) Jab, Cross, Rear Elbow, Rear Knee, Lead kick
Jab, Cross, Hook, Lead Elbow, Lead Knee, Lead Kick
Opposite side (south paw for me) Jab, Cross, Hook, Lead Elbow, Lead Knee, Lead Kick
Saturday 06/13/2020: 4 hours of Muay Thai training
Workout: 4 hours of Thai Training today.
1 hour at Muay Thai training with Khun Kru Krysta.
3 hours of Muay Thai training at a Zoom seminar with Ajarn Chai! Thank you Living Muay Thai for putting this on. I love my Thai Tribe. It was so informative. I took many notes I will transcribe later. I am tired now. We just finished.
I miss my people and will miss Thai camp this year. But next year!!! It was wonderful seeing Ajarn Chai again. Kap Kun Ka!
So I am late putting this blog post up. Its Monday now, and I usually have it up by Sunday. I had a great week of training. I got a good 4 hours of training in Saturday and I was exhausted at the end of the day.
I am keeping up with my training, so I can keep fighting for what I believe in.
I am learning new ways to train with the people, teachers and trainers I love.
Things have been canceled, things have changed, but we are rolling with the changes, and we are learning and adapting as we go along.
I hope that you all are doing well. Keep fighting for what you believe in. If you like this, subscribe. Comment if you want, and have a great day!
I had the incredible ability and honor to be able to go to a 2 hour Muay Thai seminar with Nakapan Phugephorn. 1/26/2020
He is a Martial Arts legend and owner of Beta Academy in Washington, DC. “Nakapan is a passionate life-long martial artist with over 20 years of experience practicing, teaching and competing in the martial arts. He began his journey in 1993, studying Shaolin Kung Fu. Mental discipline and physical conditioning gained from consistent practice later lead him to a fruitful competitive career in the traditional fighting arts and included over 50 championship titles!” (credit: description taken from advert for the Muay Thai seminar flyer on the Pure Performance Martial Arts Center.)
I love going to learn skills and techniques from different Martial Artists. You get different points of view, different ways of attacking and executing a skill, and different skills.
In this seminar I learned some techniques that I have noticed other people doing. However, I have never, been able to dissect it and figure out how to do that skill. I was so excited when we were working on them. I love learning new techniques, and attacks, counters, and shields. I also messed up a lot. I am going to have to work on them more.
Nakapan said, “counter fighting, is the highest form of fighting, it is the hardest, and it is elegant.”
He also said, “counter fighting is not just waiting for some one else to attack. It is the art of drawing your opponent out, to attack you.”
This really resonated with me. I have been training and working to make myself better. My coach Tony said a few weeks ago that he wants to work with me to start working on my reaction time, and my counter fighting. At first my brain was being mean to me, telling me that my reaction and counters are crap. But hearing Nakapan, say that it is the highest form of fighting, that it is the hardest part of fighting. It made me realize… no it made my brain realize that it is the next part of my training. I am actually moving forward in training. I am honing my skills and I am working to be a great fighter.
I was really down on myself, but I realized something. So long as I have hope, the hope of getting better, the hope of improving, and the hope of being the best I can be, I can work and keep working to do anything.
Anyway enough scribbling down my thoughts and feelings, on to the training we did yesterday.
Five count drill
jab, rear leg kick
jab, cross, lead leg kick
jab, cross, hook, rear leg kick
jab, cross, hook, cross, lead leg kick
jab, cross, hook, cross, body hook, rear leg kick
Counter fighting drills
Lean back from opponents jab, return an overhand cross/rear punch, lead leg four count (lead leg kick, cross, hook, rear leg kick).
Perry jab from opponent, return an overhand cross/rear punch, lead leg four count (lead leg kick, cross, hook, rear leg kick).
Pop down opponent jab, and return a cross right away, lead leg 4 count (lead leg kick, cross, hook, rear leg kick).
Flow kick and finish with a lead leg four count (lead leg kick, cross, hook, rear leg kick)
you counter a inner lead leg kick from an opponent by (jumping, spinning, and landing on your lead leg away from opponents kick), and kicking simultaneously kicking the back of your opponents lead leg.
the more contact you allow opponent to get on your lead leg, the harder your kick to their back leg will be
Square back incoming leg kick and finish with a lead leg four count (lead leg kick, cross, hook, rear leg kick)
lateral back lead leg as incoming leg kick comes in to avoid being kicked, don’t shift weight to the now rear leg, but return same leg you lateraled back to round house kick from a south paw stance.
Teep as an opponent tries to do a rear leg kick (this is just timing, but will stop them dead in their tracks)
Nakapan said that a teep is the longest and fastest weapon you have, and when timed right will get to opponent before a leg kick, torso kick, or head kick can come in.
Sparring using the techniques we learned
I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to learn from Nakapan, and getting to meet him. He is very sweet, answers any questions, and wants to spread the love of Muay Thai. It seems from talking with him after the seminar, that he like Ajarn Chai want to spread Muay Thai and empower people to help others learn Muay Thai.
I also met some really cool people and hope to visit their gyms as well. I love that our Martial Arts community on the whole is open and loving. We try to be inclusive and understanding of all people. We are one big tribe.
Thanks for reading. If you have questions please feel free to ask and I will try to answer. Keep working to be the best you that you can be.
Thinks with Spinks 