Some thoughts on self defence

Off topic slightly with this one - but thought I'd throw some stuff out there.
Went to jitsu on Saturday, some good, some bad - there was a lot of groundfighting on the menu, most of which I can't train due to my knees. Now the class will be doing lots of groundfighting on the grounds that 'most fights end on the ground'.
This is not a public pop at Sensei - but it got me thinking, about paradigms and such...you know the sort of thing that generally fills young ladies heads these days...

I'm not entirely convinced all fights end on the ground, but that's not so much the question I think I wanted to consider. I think it was more are all self defence situations 'fights'? What is a 'fight' - does it encompass an attempted mugging or assault? I'm not sure. And do these situations count for the above statement?

That's all fairly academic stuff in the end - though it does have a bearing on how one trains.

However, my other thoughts - I cannot train in a way that will allow me to be proficient in groundfighting without most likely crippling myself on the way. Does this therefore mean I am to walk the world defenceless?

I don't believe so. I would like to think that it is possible to train other skills that would give me a better chance than I would otherwise have, bearing in mind the most likely self defence scenarios I might have to face. I also don't see that it is either insulting to me or any of the martial arts I train to accept that there may be situations that I might not be able to get myself out of with my skills and try to avoid these where able.

It'll be back to rambling about fitness soon - but if anyone fancies adding some thoughts feel free...

Back to the blogging

Sorry - not been keeping up with the diary for a bit - it's all been a bit hectic.
Where are we.
Right - today saw a return to the full morning set routine, been off it a bit lately, partly due to an attack of life and partly due to nursing an ankle strain - but completed it all today - which was good. There was also progress on the bicep curls - it's been a struggle to get back to lifting what I was before the break.
What else have I been doing since the last post?

There has been one run - but I pulled up at 2k due to the ankle and walked home - have been experimenting with different measurement techniques as whilst the program I was following was good for getting me going, concentrating to much on running a certain length of time was starting to be non-productive. So currently I run distances (to the first crossing, walk the short bit of pavement, then to the second crossing - this works out 2-3 mins each), then running to songs/distance/till I get fed up. Songs work well - as noted in my previous post, will see how training goes tonight and maybe try a run on friday.

Training tonight - that would be jitsu as boxing is not running due to Varsity (the annual swansea/cardiff showdown in everything...except the sports I actually do). It's my first time at jitsu without the other half, so am a little nervous but fairly confident I'll be ok. I have now done breakfalls in all four directions without actually destroying myself, which is a good start. I'm missing boxing a lot though and can't wait for next wednesday (I've been away at weekends and therefore unable to go on saturdays :( )

In addition to the above there was also a martial arts day on Sunday - Evolution, 500 years of hand to hand combat, hosted by the English Martial Arts Academy. First let me give my thanks to all the tutors - Neil in Fiore (and for the best description of Fiore I have ever heard), Milo in Pugilism and James in Commando Mentalism. All three workshops were very good - a chance to learn some new skills, and practice ones I already have picked up. I was the only female training at the start of the day, joined by one more a little later; but I don't think I let the side down too much.

So - all in all things are going fairly well - I think.

Not much training and some over-educated nutters

Well, not blogged much for a while. The training has for various reasons died a bit, but will be back on track one my normal life routine is re-established (and there is the crap of only one person in my room again so that I have some room to train!). However I have not been utterly idle.
There has been one run - not entirely successful - my mindset has gone a bit on that one, but I think this can be sorted. I have been grossly underestimating the amount of time it takes to get fit, and therefore being disappointed at my lack of progress. But this can be dealt with.

There was a surf fitness class - and for the first time I was complimented on my progress by the coach (who mainly ignores me). This felt good. My progress in the pool has been dramatic - in September I couldn't really swim properly, now I'm in the surfing fitness classes working on my survival techniques. I had a go at a forward roll underwater for the first time - didn't really work, but that's ok, I try to give something I can't do a go most weeks in the class so I can start learning how to do them.

Last night there was Jitsu. Those who know me will remember that I met up with the University Jitsu club a few months back, watched a lesson and decided I probably wouldn't survive, which was sad as they seemed a nice bunch of people and a generally sound martial art (all my grappling is abominable). However, a few months of fairly dedicated training and I am no longer feeling like I was put together by Mcgyver on a bad day so, with my other half in town, I thought I'd join him at class. I was really very nervous, I've not tried breakfalling for about 14 years and I was pretty bad at it then. However, they teach it in a different way to the last people I trained with, so I was pleased with the results, not as disastrous as I thought. It was also a good workout.

I'm not giving up boxing - I enjoy it, but I think the two are complimentary, so am thinking I will go back next Friday - at least give it a couple of goes. They are a nice bunch of people to - the sort of over-educated nutters I have been missing a bit.

Levelling up and changes

Well, it was level up on the running today. It was hard, I had to drop my pace for the last three minute set, which annoyed me a bit. I think if I do the 5x 3 and 2 on Thursday then I shall have to do a lower pace and up the pace next week when I redo the week (I have resigned myself that this '4 week' program is going to take me a minimum of 8 weeks to complete as it seems to take me two weeks to progress).
Morning sets have continued as usual, with a rest day on Sunday, made a change this morning, changing the crunches and leg raises to reverse crunches - 20 of these today, which I am told work all the muscles the other two exercises work in one, this hopefully will save me a bit of time in the mornings, and gives me something slightly different to do, to try and keep things interesting.
Also did some light martial arts training yesterday, which was fun.