mazzybear

Hi, Baldor! Welcome to KF Mo.

Yeah I like that video too, although I don't think the little bucket with a few ice cubes in it can prepare you for the shock of plunging into the big icy pool for real My friend competed in this years Scottish one, I seen a video of her going through the obstacle with all the electric wires hanging down "electroshock therapy" I think it's called, she got buzzed by one of the wires and her legs buckled right from under her, she landed face first in the mud Mo.

Good luck, to you too! Although I more than likely won't be doing the grading till the following year, I just meant the syllabus work would be starting in earnest for me. I'll be sitting for 3rd Kyu in the next two weeks and all thing being well, sitting for 2nd in December and 1st in May 2015 which would allow me to sit the Dan grade in November, but I feel 6 months between 1st Kyu and 1st Dan is not sufficient so I'll probably hold off till June or November 2016. i had the same thought myself, that the training for TM could only benefit my Karate training but like you the risk of injury is too great for me to take right now. I know I could injure myself stepping of a kerb, but something like this increases the risk far too much for me to take it. Wow! That's a lot! We have sparring at the end of the grade too but by all accounts it doesn't determine whether you pass or fail, that's already been decided, it's more to see how you fare on the floor. Mo.

I've also been asked to compete for the one in Scotland next year, I've always thought it would be a cool thing to do, but next year the serious work needed in going for Shodan will begin for me, I just don't know if I can fit in training for this too. Going for my black belt is priority for me, so probably won't do it. But one day, it's definitely on the list of things to do before I'm 40. M.

Like you I'm not vegan or vegetarian, but I have friends who are vegan and are on the "extreme" side. They won't buy hardback books due to the glue in the spine being made from horse products and certain hairsprays because the have prawn shell in them (who knew???) It's actually quite astonishing the amount of everyday items that contain animal by-products. So it's not only about the cost of veganism but the time and effort that goea in to researching what you can and can't use or eat. M.

Not having "man parts" myself, I don't know what it's like to be hit there. But I do know it really doesn't take much to hurt the ribs and they can take a very long time to recover. My instructor used me to demonstrate a knee technique once, as he was doing it he warned the class to go lightly, when the knee struck I felt a pop in my ribs. I wasn't immediately in agony and was able to carry on with the class, but the next morning if I laughed or moved too much it was very sore, if I sneezed, the pain was unbelievable. It took around six weeks before I was completely pain free. So for this girl to be on the floor crying for 5 minutes it must've been pretty bad. Just take it easy with the knees next time. With both of you being lower grades your instructor maybe shouldn't have told you to "get her back" Accidents happen at any grade but with the lower grades they tend to be more frequent, so best thing to do is just apologise and move on. M.

Yeah I chuckled at that too what was more funny was that the Doctor bought it! Or was he too scared of the backlash from Hall's team? M.

Couldn't agree more, Cyborg would anihilate her and she knows it. The thing that annoys me most though, is she is constanty taunting Cyborg, Calling he "an it" and such like, but at the same time hides away from her. I like the fact Cyborg refuses to get drawn into the trash talking, preferring to do her talking in the Octagon. It's bound to happen eventually as it's a fight the whole UFC world wants to see. Dana White can only use the steroid excuse for so long, especially when other fighters are on the books after testing positive. Hopefully it happens soon. M.

I have to say I was more than a little dissapointed in this fight. I stayed up till 04:30 in anticipation of this fight, believing the hype that Rousey finally had an opponent in with a chance of beating her. It took a whole 16 seconds to realise that thought was complete foolishness. They now HAVE to make a fight with Cris Cyborg a priority, or folk are going to start questioning all her fight choices (more than they already are). I'm glad the event was on BT Sports in the UK and not PPV as it was in the States. I believe Rousey is hiding in her current weight division and until she either moves back up or fights a credible opponent, then my belief that's she's not a great fighter is not going to change. Is this just my overly harsh opinion or does anyone agree? M.

Ok, so how many of you felt a little squeamish at seeing the bone sticking out of his toe in the Hall v Santos fight? I have to hand it to the guy, to not only continue the fight, but to go on and win on points, that was pretty spectacular. The pain must've been horrendus, but he didn't even have a limp and showed no weakness to his opponent, the adrenaline obviously carried him through until the fight was finished, when he finally gave in to the pain he looked pretty distressed. BIG respect to the guy, when I stub my toe on the sofa I jump and swear like an idiot, so to do what Hall done, I think he deserves immense credit. M.

The best and ONLY way in my opinion is eat clean and exercise, so many folk at work trying Hebal Life and such like, I sound like a broken records when folk tell me this "don't use that rubbish, there's no nutritional content in it, you'll only put the weight back on after it, etc, etc" nobody listens and sure enough after a few months (at most) they stop drinking it and the weight is back and usually a bit more to boot. There's no quick fix, it's a lifestyle change that's needed, not the latest craze diet/detox/juice craze. I eat clean and work out, and only supplement is a protein shake after a tough one. Job done. M.

Congrats Archimoto!!

Yeah I got them, I like them and can feel a big difference in my speed and height, they're also good for working on stances and think they'll be really great when I come to learn naihanchi for staying in the stance. They're quite pricey, but the benefits I think you get makes them well worth it. M.

GET RID OF HER IMMEDIATELY!! She is nothing but trouble and the sooner you rid yourselves of her kind of trouble, the better. I would highly doubt she would be able to sue, unless she has evidence of said concussion, even then, she is participating in a contact sport, such injuries are likely to occur. I think most courts would laugh her out the door (they certainly would here in Scotland, that's for sure). Your club has given this woman her fair share of chances IMO, move her on and let her become someone else's problem. It's the Nidan I feel sorry for, having to step down from a position he clearly takes seriously to protect the club, that shows true loyalty and respect. I personally would not have accepted their resignation, rather told him to stay exactly where he was, and stood defiantly beside him to show this egomaniac how ridiculous she really is. I hope this matter goes away quickly and harmony is restored in the dojo, and the Nidan decides to take up his position again. M.

She sounds delightful I think she needs to be put firmly in her place, no respect for her Sensei or senior ranks, this in my opinion should simply not be tolerated. Ok maybe let it slide once, everybody has bad days after all, but she continues to show a complete lack of respect to all around her. It will come to the point where nobody wants to train with her due to her attitude. It definately would put me off that's for sure. I go to classes to learn, be it from my instructor, other Dan grades, senior Kyu grades or even junior Kyu grades, I think everbody has something to offer, but this lady seems to think she knows it all already and in Martial arts that can be very, VERY dangerous. But to be honest I don't think she'll stick around much longer, she clearly has a problem withh, for lack of a better word, authority and will probably leave when she realises she can't have things her way. M.

Welcome to KF AlbanyDude M.

Thank you Safroot and DWx. M.

If you don't like running you don't have to do it... It's not the end all and be all of fitness. Hill sprints are really great but so is any interval training (HIIT) if you do it right. Skipping is a great cardiovascular builder. I personally prefer to do interval swimming and intervals on the rowing machines. Blast it for a lap or for 30 secs, take 10 seconds rest and go again. Or try something like tabatas: http://www.intervaltraining.net/tabata.html That looks interesting, never heard of it before. Think I'll give it a go. M

If you want to stretch your hip flexors static stretches alone won't cut it, you need to work in some dynamic stretches. You can find loads of useful dynamic stretches on YouTube. Get some ankle weights and do your kicks very slowly. I have had similar problems with kicks (mainly round house) and I'm seeing a marked improvement in my height. M.

Thanks Ninjanurse and Bushido_man M.

Thanks Wastelander, it's definitely conflicting opinions I've been getting from folk at work and in class too, i suppose I won't know for sure unless I try for myself. I think the squat jumps and high knees should be good for explosive power as they are fast exercises. I want to get more running or walking in too, so I'll work them all in to some kind of rota. Thanks for your input. M. The "bulk" misconception is a big one. Look at all the Olympic sprinters. They have big legs. When muscles get stronger, they get bigger. Whether its running or lifting, if they get stronger, they get bigger. There has always been that belief in the MA community that big legs slow you down, or make you less flexible. Not stretching makes you less flexible. I always hear recommendations for plyometrics or other explosive types exercises when it comes to this, too. I'm not sure if there is a standard now, but in years past, I had read that it is recommended that an athlete be able to squat 1.5 times their body weight before taking on plyometric exercise routines. When it comes to that hill, hill sprints will probably do you better than just walking up it. Hill sprints and squats a couple times a week will do you wonders, I think. Thanks, Bushido_man, I've worked the squat jumps etc into my workout routine this week, not done the hill run yet but plan to get to it on Thursday, I have to say I am not the best runner so not particularly looking forward to it but i know it will benefit me in the long run so i will bite the bullet and get started. M.

Welcome to KF, Yodo. M.

Well done, Larry!! Pretty similar to my story, I started back at 34 after a 26 year gap, gained promotion from 8th-6th Kyu. I've been back a year and a half and hope to grade for 3rd Kyu next month. It feels good when your Sensei shows faith in your abilites doesn't it? Congratulations again!!! M.

Our karate club doesn't do board breaking, but I have to say I would love to try it. But I can safely say until I recieve proper training and conditioning for it, I won't be giving it a go, I value my hands and feet Here's a link to a TKD demonstration held at my local town Gala last year, it made the news for all the wrong reasons. Poor guy must have been mortified (and a little bit sore) after all this effort. I'm told he is actually very proficient in board breaking, just not this day. They bought the wrong boards (supposedly) M.

Adding bulk will be harder than you think; it's not something that'll just happen. Plus you're right in that women find it even more difficult to bulk up. In all honesty I think your workout is probably a good place to begin if you're doing nothing currently. If your want to know how others on the forum train, take a look at the training log as it might give you a few ideas: http://www.karateforums.com/the-martial-artists-training-log-vt30246-4080.html Yeah, I'll defo have a wee look at that, lots of good ideas I'll bet. I went out to the garage for a circuit tonight, man I'm gonna be sore tomorrow. can certainly tell I've not been doing enough leg work, feel good for it though. M.