GeoGiant

I just bought and assembled a Versaflex. I have a hard time stretching on my own so I thought this would be able to help me. I'm hoping others can provide me with some use advice. Do you warm up all the time when you use your machine or do you use it when you're cold? How often do use the machine? How long do you spend on the machine? Any do's or dont's?

I need a Ravens win and a Jets loss.

The Baltimore Sun sports page has the headline... "The Orioles have gotten better but will it be enough to get out of the basement?" *Sigh*

Initially to stay in shape. My knees where taking a pounding from running. I just happen to drive by a dojo one day and I thought what the heck. Everyone at the dojo was so nice and accommodating that it was hard not to return. After taking a few classes I found that MAs appealed to the athletic side of me while satisfying the analytical part of me.

I'm not a resolution guy but I'd like to be able to get into a full split sometime over the next year.

Are you posting that you committed a crime? You have the right to remain silent according to law. If you feel terrible, speak with someone you can confide in, remember that you may need an attorney, but don't put it into writing and post it on the Internet, Davison. With all due respect to what GeoGiant has said (such as if you lost control during sparring and feel badly about it), I wouldn't put something into writing, such as "went above and beyond the self defense aspect." Joe, I was thinking more along the lines of sparring... not committing a crime! When I frame the initial question in the context of someone committing a crime of causing serious injury to another I take back my first post.

Hmmmm. DETAILS, I'm going to need some details!

I've over-trained a body part many times and caused an injury to myself however my latest injury should be subjected to public ridicule. I was having an issue with soreness in my shoulder so I took a few days off from working out my upper body. I was jumping rope, treadmill, squats, etc. Well, after 3 or 4 days of this I was getting bored so I decided to go to the dojo early one day and get in an ab workout before karate class. I had a nice circuit set up where i was isolating different stomach parts. To end my workout I got out the incline sit-up board. I extended the board to the maximum incline and did 50 sit-ups - all the way down so my head touched the pad, then up to touch the wall. After 50 I feel great, I run a lap around the dojo and back for 50 more. Mid way through the second 50 my tailbone feels a little unconformable but nothing bad so I knock out the rest of the set. I run another lap and return for my final set of 50. After about 10 sit-ups my tailbone hurts so I stop. I figured I got a good ab workout in before class so if I didn't finish the last set, so what. At this point I should have known my body was telling me something because I never think like this, I always finish set. Even if I have to take several breaks, I always finish the set. I never gave my tailbone another thought. I had a good class, went home ate, and decided to take a shower. I turned the shower water on, jumped in the tub, and I was quite relaxed... until I turned around to let the water hit my back. The moment, I mean the VERY second, that water hit my tailbone I almost screamed! I jumped to the other end of the tub and clenched my fists while the burning sensation slowly subsided. Burning sensation doesn't fully describe what I felt. It felt like I was being branded with a hot iron. I turned off the shower and jumped out of the tub to take a look at my tailbone in the mirror. What I saw *cringe*. I had no skin above OR BELOW my tailbone! It was raw and not raw in a scrap kind-of-way. It was raw in a I think I see bone kind-of-way. I guess it was numb from continued movement is why I didn’t feel it before. I don’t want to be too graphic but when I showed my wife she made a prison reference. Well, I didn’t sleep that night because any movement caused the skin to pull the wound open. I barely got dressed and went to work. It took me 5 minutes to get in or out of my car. I had to tell people at work that I hurt my lower back. After 2 or 3 days it slowly scabbed over. When I say scabbed over, I mean that a large THICK scab formed above AND BELOW my tailbone. I think you get the picture but I could type “above” and “below” 100 times I don’t think that it depicts what this felt like. Now after 2 weeks I can laugh about it now. (So far) this is the dumbest thing I have ever done to myself. Please tell me I'm not alone in doing things like this.

I have to public speak with my job and most of the time my speaking engagements involve addressing angry residents. My company may be applying for a state grant to rebuild a road that residents have been complaining about for 10 years. Well, most of grants require public participation where we explain to the public the same things they have been complaining about for years. This environment can get hostile pretty quick if you don't inject humor... lucky I'm a goof so I handle well. The side effect of these meetings is that I'm able to handle an adrenalin rush fairly well.

I agree with most about years being a bad measure. Training 5 times a week, 2 hour a training seasons over a 2 year period may equate to taking 2 to 3 classes for 6 years. The rule of thumb at my dojo is 3 classes a week can you a BB in 4 years, assuming your skills are advancing at the required pace. It been my experience that 4 to 6 years is the average time for a BB. Keep in mind I've only trained with one instructor.

Oh boy, do I know your pain! Baltimore went through washed up QB after QB before they decided to go young and mortgage the future for Kyle Boller... and that turned out less than positive. Joe Flacco has been a breath of fresh air for me.

As an avid sports fan the only thing that I’m really hoping for a competitive season. I want to be able to root for my NFL team, the Ravens, right up to week 17. Playoffs are always BIG bonus but if I get a whole season I’m happy and I consider that a successful year. With that being said I’m happy that the Ravens will be in the post season. The way the divisions are shaping up its looking like Baltimore will play the Chiefs or the Colts. I’m thinking I’d like to play the Colts because they are dealing with more injuries… although getting bumped out of the playoffs (again) by the Colts hurts on several levels.

Congrates! I'm envious

We have several mirrors in our dojo. I don't use the mirrors a lot but I probably should.

Welcome!

I like threads like this because everyone presents well thought out points of debate and the threads never turn into nasty arguments. I get a chance to understand a different perspective. Kudos to Patrick for creating a forum like this and providing the oversight that doesn't permit trolling.

I'd say your Ravens have a much better chance of taking first place then my Cowboys do. True. Romo going down was a bad break! On the upside Brant looked great this year! You guys jumped right in front of Balti in the draft to get him! Right now I'm waiting for Pitt - Caro to start. If Carolina can pull off the upset Balti has the ability to win the division and secure a first round bye!

Right back at you. Everyone have a great holiday!!!

Congrats to you and yours!

"I got a lotta problems with you people..." "Festivus isn't over until George pins me!"

Welcome!

I'm loving life after Sunday!!! Baltimore still has a chance (ok a very small chance) of taking first place in the division.

For a Raven fan, today is a big day... if Pittsburgh wins and Baltimore loses, the Ravens could be missing the post season!

Buckling up is the law where I live, but i don't have to wear a helmet when i ride my motorcycle For the record I wear a helmet when I ride.

Wow Joe! Your story adds a much needed perspective to this type of a discussion. I don't have a lot of family and the family i do have, aside from my wife, is older than I am so I rarely consider those that will be left behind when I ...go. The reality for me is that I'm not going to discover the cure for cancer or make some other significant contribution to society. As my immediate friends go, the memories of me will die with them and when all those friends pass, it will be like I was never here.