mkdutch

Jerks indeed... although I have the feeling that my glutes are snickering at how the IT bands gets to be the scapegoats. And thanks . One of the first things I'm going to do when I return to the U.S. is find a good therapist--even if I don't need regular work, I want to have someone who I can go to when things are "off." I did just invest in unlimited chiropractic and ART care from the guy I've been seeing--it actually works out to be a pretty low cost per month and definitely per session if I take full advantage of it. Basically I'm being subsidized by all of the non-powerlifters XD. 

Yeah, those glutes and external rotators will mess you up. Tensor fasciae latae will do it too. The IT band just is a juncture for everything else though. It is good that you are getting work done though. No need to break yourself.

Tried going camando last night, I forgot I wasn't wearing underwear. It is most excellent!

Started working on my pull-ups and chin-ups using the assist machine~! So far I can lift about 105lbs of my own weight, so that's a start. I can usually get the first two all the way in a set but then really struggle at the 3rd one. So, my first goal on this will be to get 3 sets of 3 where I am now with out faultering at the end. I'll probably make pull ups a goal in the next six weeks, but figured I should get a head start.

Thank you.

Thank you, I am stoked to be one step closer to my goal. Next step is getting a job and working on my CEU's before August. >.<

I will have to try going sans undies. I usually were boy shorts personally. They are super comfy and usually don't bunch or fall.

Glad you are having a blast! The pictures are gorgeous and so are your friends.

I hope you don't fret too much over the lack of work last week. Life happens after all.

The past month has left me quite anxious for what occured yesterday, January 31st. I took my boards for massage therapy and passed with 105 points to spare. After nearly crying and a dizzy spell I accepted that I wasn't dreaming and spent the rest of the day on cloud 9!

Like everyone above said, that isn't lame in the slightest. There are a surprising number of people that can't touch their toes so being able to is legit awesome!

IT bands can be such jerks! Particullarly for athletes. If you are still having concerns when you get back to the states maybe we can meet up and I can do some work if you aren't already seeing a therapist for it. I have no doubt that you will spring back though.

Happy happy happy happy birthdaaaaaaaaay!

 

Thank you, darling!

Wow! What a couple of weeks it has been! Last time I posted was right before my birthday. So what has happened? My birthday consisted of helping the people I take classes with set up new equipment and then playing on it on Saturday. Sunday, I got a Disney annual pass as a treat for myself and spent the day walking over 20,000 steps.

Monday I went to parkour class and have realized that in working with my knees the muscles have gotten exceptionally tight around them. My jumping ability has severly decreased, even though it wasn't much before, so I am going to have to take some time stretching those out. The good news on that is, the muscles are stronger now and will start supporting my already damaged knees(also, I have started to notice more strength in my arms as well. Not enough to really do much, but enough to notice more control). Just have to work out the dysfunction.

The rest of the week was fairly uneventful. I started showing signs of a cold Wednesday and spent my day off relaxing and taking light walks to keep active. Still have a slight cough, but I feel much better. Friday night was nothing spectacular, more rest, Satuday on the other hand was the day I have been dreading and exceptionally anxious for. I took my MBLEX, the national board certification test for massage therapy. If I didn't pass I wouldn't be able to get my liscense until I forked over 200$ to retest. The test wasn't until 2pm so the entire morning I fought with myself on "Oh god, I am going to fail!" and "No, Mary, you know this. You will be fine." I felt like Rapunsel in Tangled when she first leaves the tower. The test rolled around and after about 60 minutes I completed my test. 630 points was all I needed to pass. My final score was 735. I can tell you all I nearly cried right there. There was so much relief in seeing the words, "Congratulations!" on the print out. So, I have a few more months before my liscense comes in and then I will be able to start practicing massage therapy for a living.

So, that has been what has kept me away from the forums this past week. It was certainly a productive week.

That is awesome! Breaking gender barriers and being a totally bad ass? You are certainly living up to the name!

As for swing, if your knee is really in bad shape (I know I have simillar issues, and it sucks >.<) then you shouldn't push it too much. No sense in perminently damaging your knees after all.

Thank you guys. The foot already feels better. Just needed some stabilization and some stretching and it is just about as good as new! The top is still a bit stiff, but I'm no longer limping.

Not slouching is so hard to do! Especially with smart phones and computers being so big in society.

As for swing, you can do it! I have faith you'll get back into the swing of things. (Couldn't resist the pun. ;D)

Also in Pinellas county!

^///^ Thank you. I almost didn't, but then I had some friends going to the class on Monday as well. Friends are good for that sort of stuff.

I saw this article on BBC News and immediately thought of you: Aerial Yoga

I'll have to check this out after work!

I really like your goals! That Ariel class looks so cool, and I'm jealous of your parkour class!

Thank you! The Aerial class is always fun. The instructors in both cases are a lot of fun and encouraging.

UPDATE!

So last week I did nothing. Other than go to work and surprise some friends that were having rough days I did nothing at all. I kinda hit a bad low and so for about a week I just slept or curled up on the couch and avoided people for the most part.

Then this week happened. I went to the Parkour class and I have a second parkour class and an aerial class this saturday for my birthday. Practiced some of the stuff we were learning last night as well, and unfortunately rolled my foot something feirce. It's all good though, I kept going and I'm using kineseology tape to stabilize and help heal it. So, that has been my week thus far.

Agreed! Sure, being granted mystical powers would be rad, but darn it, I want to earn some of my power on my own!

The workshop was a lot of fun, I am still covered in bruises!

I have not tried fencing, but I keep praying that one day I might discover that I have been in a fantasy novel this entire time, and I have to be ready when that day comes. Some one has to save the world, and I won't be caught unprepared.

I ended up not going to Parkour class last night, between the weather and a crappy day I ended up reading, cleaning, and sleeping.

Thinking I will probably do a self directed Parkour class tonight, and then I have fencing on Thursday.

So, who is going to Dragon Con this year? It would be really awesome to get a bunch of Rebels together to grab a light breakfast and go for a run or workout one day before the festivities are in full swing!

It looks like you are having a blast, and yay for workout buddies! It is always easier to workout when you have a buddy.

Nope! On both accounts. I surprised the class when I went into a full right split hands off the ground, so that was fun. XD (My left split is awful though...) I also have to strengthen my knees, they are crap. That is what Parkour is for though! Which is tonight!

I may also be taking fencing soon, so I will post pictures of that as well.

Love the photos! What did you think of the lyra?

 

Congrats on being chosen for the speech!!

Thank you! It is a lot of fun, but I definately need to get stronger!

That looks so difficult. I don't think I would have the upper body strength to do that. great work

 

All those pictures were awesome but I have to say "Majora's Woman in the Moon" is my favourite!

It is hard, it hurts, and it is worth every bruise! There is a lot of upper body strength involved in some moves, but  a lot of the moves also involve leverage so it isn't too bad. I have very little upper body strength myself so all of the moves you see involve leverage or leg strength.

Thank you, it takes a lot of work to look so good.

Keep up the good work! It is okay to fumble if you catch yourself in the end.