Saturday , 23 Nov 19 1030-1200: Training - warm-up - stretching - sparring - heavy bag work - offence/defence drills - two-person leg stretch - kata (Seienchin)
Tuesday , 26 Nov 19 1830-2000: Training - warm-up - stretching - 12 x 2 minute rounds of circuit drills (3 x rounds on free weights and steel bar, 3 x rounds on heavy bag, 3 x rounds on Bob, 1 x round shin conditioning, 1 x round wall hangs, 1 x round straddle stance) - kata (Seienchin) Note: Our rounds are divided into six segments: 20 seconds for a two minute round and 30 seconds for a three minute round. For the free weights, we’ll do rapid straight punches with the dumbbells: 3 lbs, 5 lbs, 3 lbs, 8 lbs, 3 lbs, 10 lbs. We do a round of Bo basics with the steel bar. We also do a round of 12 lbs dumbbells from the back. Double arm and alternating single arms by 20 or 30 second segments. Although the weight is light, the exercises are done in rapid succession, so it’s a good workout for your arms. It’s also challenging to hit the heavy bag afterwards with power. Does anyone else train like this?
Thursday, 28 Nov 19 1830-2000: Training - warm-up - stretching - sparring - combinations on the heavy bag - offence/defence drills - more sparring - basic hand strikes - kata (Tensho) Note: My instructor went over the finer points of basics and Tensho Kata tonight after I had previously discussed my concerns with him regarding my training. I feel better after tonight’s class. I feel like I understand the subtleties of these techniques a little better.
I really like Tensho Kata, and usually include it in all of my workouts, even if it is just a part of my cool down process at the end. My Instructor also runs some pretty decent close range (phone box fighting) Impact Drills on the pads, using Tensho techniques (teisho and kakuto uchi) which I absolutely L O V E Travess
Saturday, 29 Feb 20 1030 - 2000: Karate Training - warm-up with various types of push-ups, abdominal workout, lunges, squats, line work - stretching - 6 x rounds sparring - partner pad work with combinations - Kata (Seienchin) - 100 punches Note: today’s “warm-up” was very heavy on push-ups 1230: Post workout smoothie - 1% milk - frozen berries - instant oatmeal - protein powder - peanut butter 1400: Meal - whole grain toast - 1/2 avacodo - 2 hard boiled eggs 1600: snack - protein bar - handful of blueberries 1900: Meal - pulled buffalo chicken breast - whole wheat bun - carrot sticks - celery sticks - ranch flavoured fat-free Greek yogurt Sunday, 1 Mar 20 1300-1600: Swimming 2000: Post-fast meal - small bowl of rice - 4 chicken thighs - diced sweet potatoes - green beens with garlic - fat-free Greek yogurt - blueberries - scoop of peanut butter Note: Just because I have been neglectful of my log, it does not mean I have become neglectful of my training. I’m pushing hard to be ready to compete at the end of April.
Monday, 2 Mar 20 1030-1130: Workout - Cardio (30 mins on elliptical trainer) - Body weight exercises (push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, dips) 1200: Meal (Thai restaurant) - Spicy cashew chicken stir-fry - Rice - light salad - Spring roll 1430: Snack - whole wheat toast - peanut butter 1800: Meal - chicken breast - sweet potato - steamed vegetables 1930: Snack - granola bar
Tuesday, 3 Mar 20 1300: Meal - Chicken breast - rice - steamed vegetables 1630: Pre workout smoothie - 1% milk - frozen berries - instant oatmeal - protein powder - peanut butter 1830 - 2000: Karate Training - warm-up with “the exercise that makes you look forward to push-ups”, line work, and abdominal exercises - stretching - heavy bag work - sparring - offence/defence drills - more sparring - 100 punches Note: “The exercise that makes you look forward to push-ups” starts standing with the arms held straight out for what feels like an eternity. First it’s small circles forward followed by push ups, small circles back, followed by push-ups, left arm forward circles/right arm back circles followed by push-ups, alternate with more push-ups, arms up and down, palms back/forward, hold, etc, all finished with one perfect slow concentrated push-up. I’m sure you get the idea. The name of the exercise is quite fitting. 2030: protein shake 2100: Meal (Buddha Bowl - spinach - rice - shredded carrot - shredded red cabbage - sugar snap peas - red peppers - chick peas - cashews - Asian dressing Note: I had a training session tonight, and a great day overall. I had so much energy, and class was amazing. I’m so happy and grateful that I have training in my life. It gives me a sense of purpose, a path to walk, and legitimately makes me feel happy to be alive.
Wednesday , 4 Mar 20 1030-1130: Workout - Cardio (30 mins on elliptical trainer) - Body weight exercises (push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, dips) 1200: Meal (Thai restaurant) - Spicy cashew chicken stir-fry - Rice - light salad - Spring roll 1500: Snack - protein bar 1900: Meal - whole wheat linguini - chicken breast - olive oil - garlic - red peppers - carrots - snow peas - broccoli - herbs Note: This pasta dish is pictured below.
Thursday, 5 Mar 20 1300: Meal - Beef stir fry - steamed faro - fruit salad 1630 Pre workout smoothie - 1% milk - frozen berries - instant oatmeal - protein powder - peanut butter 1830 - 2000: Karate Training - warm-up with push-ups, line work, and abdominal exercises - stretching - footwork - Kihon Basics - 100 punches Note: it was a lighter class tonight with a lot of good discussion on the application of basic techniques, including the true nature of some of the “blocks” in Karate. 2030: Meal - leftover chicken linguini
Friday, 6 Mar 20 1100-1145: Battlefit - Dynamic mobility exercises - sprints - burpees - lunges - squats - dead bugs - kettlebell swings - goblet squats - single leg deadlifts - More sprints - hanging leg raises - step-ups - stretching 1200: protein shake 1230: Lunch - Chicken breast - Cous cous - Brussels sprouts 1900: Meal - pepperoni pizza - Diet Pepsi
Saturday, 7 Mar 20 1030 - 1200: Karate Training - warm-up - stretching - 3 x 2 min rounds, 3 x 3 min rounds, and 6 x 6 mins rounds each on: - heavy bag - Body on Base (BOB) - weights/steel bar - shin conditioning station/leg hangs Note: This was a very intense class. I could barely lift my leg to kick afterwards. 1230: Post workout smoothie - 1% milk - frozen berries - instant oatmeal - protein powder - peanut butter 1600: snack - granola - strawberries - non-fat Greek yogurt 1730: Meal - pork chop - rice - mixed vegetables
Sunday, 8 Mar 20 1500-1700: Forest walk 1830: Post-fast meal - roast chicken - roast potatoes - steamed broccoli with cheese sauce 2000: Snack - granola - non-fat Greek yogurt - blueberries
My dojo is open again. I’ve been back to a couple classes so far. Unfortunately sparring is not yet an option, but classes have been fairly intense. There’s really no substitute for good hard martial arts training. I did a lot of cardio and body weight exercises in quarantine, but I’ve been very sore after classes.
I've been back to training for about two weeks. The protocols in place severely limit what we are able to do, but it's better than nothing. Training is solo and essentially self-guided. After booking a time slot in the dojo, the student will show up and choose one of several workouts that my instructor has posted. They are incredibly detailed and vary in difficulty. Training without a mask is authorized if the student is alone and all of doors and windows are open to the dojo. Tonight, my instructor came in to work on some kata with me. In this case, we are required to both wear masks and keep a distance. I've also signed up for a trial Boxing class. This gym conducts training outdoors. I hope to get into Boxing seriously, in addition to my Karate training, once COVID restrictions are listed.
Fantastic to see you are still training. These times are trying when it comes to training, good on you for keeping at it.
I don't post often about my personal life on here, but some changes during the last year have really turned my life upside down. I've been fighting a quiet battle against depression and substance abuse issues. Despite my schedule opening up dramatically, I became neglectful of my training and showed up to the dojo sporadically. I found myself making excuses not to train, instead electing to stay home and drink. Over the last few weeks I have decided to regain control of my life. I have stopped drinking and started filling my evenings with healthier activities (more training). I'm hoping to make this an active thread again, but we will see how that goes. In addition to my Karate training, I have taken up Fencing, Kobudo, and Ju Jutsu. My body is very sore this morning, but I haven't felt this great in a long time.
What I love about martial arts is that even when life gets in the way it's always there for you. Good to hear you are back in training.
Good to hear you decided to make that change! It's great martial arts helps. I hope it will help you overcome depression (if at all possible, I have no experience with that). That's quite a few arts! I'll be here to read if you continue the log
1130: Lunch (Thai restaurant) - 1 cup wonton soup - Red Curry chicken on rice with vegetables - spring roll 1630: Pre-workout Shake - 1% milk - frozen berries - instant oatmeal - protein powder - peanut butter 1830 - 2000: Training - warm-up with various types of push-ups, abdominal workout, lunges, squats, line work - stretching - sparring - partner pad work - 100 punches 2030: Dinner (Subway) - six-inch sweet onion chicken sub on whole wheat bread - bag of bakes potato chips - sparking water Note: I've been eating out a lot this week as life has been been super hectic. I'm hoping to do a decent grocery shop soon so I can get back to healthy meal planning.
Great to see you back to it It can be hard to battle those inner demons, sounds like you have made a breakthrough
