Training Thoughts

[ThorvaldR Skegglauss]

I recently have moved up to two practices a week when work schedule permits but I seem to have found a problem. I am exhausted on the off days and I don't seem to be able to fight as long at either practice. Should I go back to only one practice with good high intensity, quality and time in hat or stick with two slower practices? I did find out last night at least half my problem was having my gorget on to tight. I was always out of breath by the second to third fight in a row. I think I went almost 10 or so fights last night without a break or out of breath after loosening my gorget one notch. I am talking about in the "Bear Pit" we run after doing slow work and technique training.

[SirOlafr]

I've been doing two fight practices a week on back to back days in my area. I would recommend sticking with the two practices, but perhaps taking it down a notch until you work up your endurance a bit more. The gorget might have helped if it was restricting your airflow.

I have personally noticed that some people actually tend to hold their breath sometimes when they are fighting in quick bouts. That is bad for stamina.

My relatively recent dedication to my fighting (about 6 months now of working hard at it though I've been fighting sporadically for more than 6 years) actually motivated me to quit smoking. Today is my 9th day off the cancer sticks and I can feel an improvement already.

You'll know what your body is telling you better than anyone else though, so keep that in mind. If you feel like you are negatively impacting your training, adjust accordingly. Just my 2 bits.

Olafr

[Kilkenny]

How many weeks have you been doing the two-a-week practice schedule ? It may take a bit of time for your body to build up to the demand. I might recommend that you work hard and fast at one practice (bear pit, spar as much as possible, etc.) and work slow and precise at the other one for a month or so while you adjust to the higher demands.

You've got a valid concern that the practices won't do you much good if you're to worn out and all you're doing is reinforcing bad habits and discovering new ones.

Gavin

[ThorvaldR Skegglauss]

How many weeks have you been doing the two-a-week practice schedule ? It may take a bit of time for your body to build up to the demand.

I have only just restarted doing it after being out for 5 weeks with a knee injury (from work) It sucks being old (er). So some of it has to do with conditioning. I just am not sure if I am overdoing it or not. I have Mon, Wed, Fri PT sessions for the army (my Job) then my Stronghold Fighter practice which is on Wed nights (my primary practice) and then Sunday afternoon for our "sponsoring" shire. I have just been exhausted on Tues and Thur and Sat. It sucks having to get "back" into condition. I am so waiting for that "Exercise High"!!

Maybe I am just whining a bit today......

I will get better ... I will get better

Train hard/play hard/have tons o'fun!!

[Frederich Von Teufel]

What is your diet like? Are you certain you are getting enough calories, protein and carbohydrates? How about your fluid intake?

Your body is an engine; if you aren't giving it the proper fuel, it can't perform properly.


Frederich

[Wat of Sarum]

I would suggest that the increased practice time is already teaching you things - such as about what is working and not working with your equipment. As long as your joints are not in danger of being over-stressed I would encourage you to try the two practices a week a bit longer before you give it up.

Best regards,

Wat

[freiman the minstrel]

Just a bit of background on Thorvaldr. He is a carreer soldier who does PT on a regular basis with 18 year old studs. It isn't a body fitness issue. Thorvaldr is probably the fittest person I know.

Thorvaldr is in excellent shape for a man his age (How old are you anyway, Thorvaldr, 60?)

I really think that this is a relaxation while fighting thing. Thorvaldr has a mindset that makes him decide to always go 110%. This is an excellent approach to training, but it does sometimes mean that you are tense in ways that are not required. In short, I think that you are fighting yourself as much as you are fighting me. Stretching and relaxation exercises help too, and we never, ever do them at practice. It takes energy to keep your back muscles tense, and your abs tense, and all that stuff, some of which doesn't help your fighting, and makes you tired faster.

My suggestion is to deliberatly set a pace while starting that you know you can maintain all day (like you might do at the begining of a long road march) and look for the moments that need the additional energy.

And fight three days a week, instead of two.

See you on Sunday at practice. Afterwards, Beer and movies, with girls and everything!

freiman

[SirOlafr]

Well, it sounds to me like you get plenty of exercise, but coming off of an injury can take a bit to get back to where you were. I second the intake inventory. Keep your fluids up and I recommend a "1 a day" type vitamin. Obviously, getting sufficient rest and allowing the body adequate recovery time is important. Sounds to me like you are just a little frustrated with getting your conditioning back to where you are used to having it. Keep working at it.

Now that I have quit smoking I plan to add in some additional cardio to help boost my stamina, which right now is nowhere near where I want it to be. Pell work and some occassional (gasping just thinking about it) running. I have to keep up with Count Master Robin at Pennsic this year at all the battles, so I've got my work cut out for me.

Have fun!

Olafr

[SirOlafr]

And fight three days a week, instead of two.


freiman

Love that!

Daniel San...Move faster. Don't get hit!

Olafr

[audax]

Hi Thorald,

I agree with some of the other things already posted: make sure you're getting enough fuel, go hard one practice, slower and more precise at the other, etc. What I'd add is make sure you get some protein and carbs (other than beer ) immediately after practice and try some sort of massage technique like tennis ball massage or Active Release Technique. It helps us old folks recover better(I'm 42, ex-Army and I can still smoke people half my age. Hah.) Also make sure you get plenty of water. It makes a big difference.

Oh and make sure your gorget isn't on too tight.

Regards,

audax

[Oswyn_de_Wulferton]

Hi Thorald,

I agree with some of the other things already posted: make sure you're getting enough fuel, go hard one practice, slower and more precise at the other, etc. What I'd add is make sure you get some protein and carbs (other than beer ) immediately after practice and try some sort of massage technique like tennis ball massage or Active Release Technique. It helps us old folks recover better(I'm 42, ex-Army and I can still smoke people half my age. Hah.) Also make sure you get plenty of water. It makes a big difference.

Oh and make sure your gorget isn't on too tight.

Regards,

audax

We started doing this as a group (getting food together). Every time we have fighter practice, the entire group heads out to someplace to eat. We have about 30 people or so at practice (light, heavy, Other) and we usually have around 15-20 show up at "dinner" (it is at 10pm). It is helped our cohesion as a shire as well as make sure all of the heavies/lights get food after all that fighting. First person there orders 4 pitchers of water (they are used to us by now )

[Marvin]

You have the classic symptoms of overtraining. Cutting back in either time, intensity or both and building up slowly is the only way I know to fix it. Sucks.

Also, like others have said, watch your food and especially your fluid intake. I fought all day Saturday and because it was 15 degrees cooler than it had been all week I skimped on the water. Bad, bad mistake. Sunday morning I awoke with cramps in both calves and my lower back.

[ThorvaldR Skegglauss]

Thanks for the support everyone! You all are correct. Biggest one is just getting my conditioning back up where it belongs.

Thorvaldr