Geeks in Gis

Archive for December, 2011

If things have seemed quiet on the Geeks-in-Gis front, well, that’s because it’s been one of those months.  Our club’s Winter Tournament took place two weeks ago.  I was feeling rather icky the day before the tournament, but went to train anyway, and put forward the worst rendition of Rohai I’ve ever seen, and then got thoroughly trounced in sparring against someone who is normally timid and slow enough for me to handle.

I couldn’t figure out why I was doing so badly.  Figuring it was just a cold I went to the tournament anyway, and pushed myself through the three rounds of Kata and two rounds of Kumite.  I was dead on my feet by the second round of Kata, and, quite literally, was having chest pains by the end of Kumite.

I went to the doctor, and it turns out I have Epidemic Myalgia (aka Bornholms).  It’s not a serious bug, in adults at least, but the symptoms include tiredness, headahces, flu-liek symptoms, and a chest pain that feels just like a heart attack.  That bit’s scary!

There’s not much they can do to treat it, so I’m dosing up on painkillers and just waiting it out.

Tineladia entered the tournament too.  They were feeling fine going in, but came out with a black and blue swollen foot.  That came either from a)Getting their foot tangled in someone’s gi during a sweep, or b)Round-housing someone in the elbow.  Take your pick, they both looked painful.  After a lot of ice, elevation, and patience, it didn’t seem to be getting any better – lots of different colours, but not better.  So, we took a trip to the walk in (well, hop-in), and got that foot looked at.  It turns out one of the toes is broken.

Fortunately, the swelling protected it, and it’s healing straight, so  they’ve prescribed more rest… eight weeks off! That’s a long time to go without training

We were both supposed to be testing for Second Kyu today, but obviously, that didn’t happen.  The next brown belt tests are in February.  The extra time will be useful, I needed to polish Jiin anyway!

The dojo will be taking a two week break over Christmas.  I plan to train next week, assuming I can breathe properly by then.  Tineladia will be taking at least the next two weeks off – probably just watching and helping out the lower belts.  I think they plan to try some sneaky Kata practice in the new year, though.

I hope your end-of-year training has been going better!