This week’s lessons seemed to be much more intense, as if I’d been gone for several weeks and then rejoined slower and out of shape. In reality I was in the dojang four consecutive days last week (including my bo dan test) plus watched a black belt test on Saturday. By the end of this week I have taken five classes, two Epsom salt baths, many alternating cold and hot showers, twelve ibuprofen, used one big soft cloth ice pack, one heating pad, polished off the last of the prescription naproxen I had been hoarding, have a big ugly strawberry mark on my forearm, and a much-needed massage is scheduled for Saturday.
My evening workouts are usually so intense that I’m still not quite able to make it back to the gym in the morning, plus I developed the unfortunate habit of hitting the snooze several months ago. Therein lies the challenge of mixing in other complementary workouts when my body is too beaten up the day after class. I’ve been doing gentle Pilates during the week and plan on doing some combination of yoga, cardio, and strength training over the weekend. It would be nice to get back to at least three early mornings in the gym, but I’ll have to listen to my body and take it one step at a time. (Usually my body says “NO!” and rolls back under the covers.) The worst thing would be getting a major injury when I’m so close to my goal.
I have also lost about 3 pounds and 2 inches around my waist, so I’d say the week has been a success. As a bonus I made everyone groan in class tonight when I led them in knuckle push-ups and Pilates abs. Stay tuned for a post on Sunday on how I’m managing my nutrition as I train for black belt. I need to go take more ibuprofen and go to bed.
