A while ago I wrote about a shoulder injury I’d gotten (way back in November ‘07), and I got a few concerned comments, so I thought I’d update!
My shoulder is almost better. I re-injured it – obviously – during our karate promotion, though not to the extent that it was the first time. I basically have my full range of motion back. The bad thing is I spent all of January not doing ANYTHING with it, because even doing a couple weights made it hurt, or even going on an elliptical. Now that I’m back at karate, I’m trying to build up muscle there again (not like I had much to begin with anyway) so that push-ups don’t kill me so bad. But you know what’s worse? Jumping jacks. Getting my arm to go above my head was the hardest part of recovery. I should be going to see the school’s trainer soon to get advice on some rehab exercises, but I’m almost better! As in, I can actually sleep on my shoulder at night. Though when I stretch it (esp. rotate it) I can hear tons of popping noises; my doctor says it’s cause the muscles aren’t exactly balanced yet (overcompensating…not moving enough…something like that).
As for going back to jiu jitsu, I feel SO guilty because I haven’t gone back (but how dumb would I be to go back before I’m fully healed?). I’m hoping to go back after spring break, maybe once a week. I think I really want to take judo (although it hurts like hell to get thrown) to take advantage of my being so short (lower center of gravity, yo!). And jiu jitsu – well, I think I haven’t gotten as much as I could have out of that class, since I can’t do much during a fight. BUT the nice thing is that learning the moves teaches me at the same time how to get out of them and to expect them, even though it’s really frustrating to not be able to do stuff (esp. because, I think, brute strength might compensate for my shortness, but I haven’t got that).
In other news: We’re doing a lot of Muay Thai now, including the clinch, and knee and elbow strikes. We’re supposed to be balanced fighters, though we got ripped apart today for slacking off on our Isshinryu basics – because, that’s what we’re there to train for.
