Other Health Issues

I have been agonizing over this entry. At first I wasn’t going to mention any of this, but then I decided to. Since this is affecting my training, it should be mentioned in this blog… I know what you’re thinking; what is she talking about??

Well, I have an ongoing issue with migraine headaches and have been seeing doctors about them for a while. After my back injury, I started physical therapy for my migraine headaches. I wasn’t really sure what could be accomplished but, as an exercise addict, was willing to try.

At first the exercises and neck manipulations were brutal, I left every appointment with a migraine. I was miserable and ready to stop. I went for a couple of sessions and noticed that the exercises were actually helping my neck pain and spasms. This was pretty encouraging. The physical therapist and I had a discussion and decided that the manipulations were not beneficial. He recommended that I try traction.

I am not sure about you, but when he said “traction” I immediately had an image, which was better suited to a castle dungeon or dominatrix than a physical therapy office. I was hesitant, but still willing to try anything to get rid of pain.

The first traction experience was a little strange, but amazing. I was pain-free for two hours afterwards. The absence of pain was so intense that I felt euphoric. I continued with the traction until the end of my sessions.

The neurologist decided that I should get x-rays of my neck, since I responded so well to the physical therapy and traction. He suspected that I was having a problem with degenerative disk disease. It turned out that he was partially right. The films showed that I had spondylosis, degenerative disk disease and a reverse curve in my neck. What all of this meant is that I had pain in my neck that was causing migraines, not the other way around. So, more physical therapy and traction was the answer.

I am almost at the end of my physical therapy and I do feel a lot better. I am not sure if I will be able to continue running. I might have to replace it with cycling or swimming. I still plan on continuing with the project.

I look back at the pain that I have had for many years in my neck and have always assumed that it was just normal. Now, I have more days without pain, it is magical. The exercises are really helping and the traction is great. The whole treatment has dramatically decreased the number of migraines that I am getting. I am working on having a traction device in my home. I am very excited.

I have not been in training for a couple of months and I am looking forward to beginning again. This kind of stuff comes with age, but it doesn’t have to stop you.

It isn’t going to stop me.

Getting Back In Shape

7/16/10
I have been continuing my pool exercises, walking and running. I am feeling like I am slowly getting back to normal. I am hesitant to add my abdominal routine, yet.

7/23/10
I am going to be working with a trainer. How fun! I have to make some time to write a little about him. I think we are going to be working on abs and glutes… mom-fat and butt! I am getting excited. I may be able to talk him into taking some martial arts with me, we’ll see.

7/28/10
Sunday was my first workout with Thomas, my trainer, and it was something. My legs are so sore I can hardly walk. My butt isn’t really feeling much, maybe I am doing the exercises wrong. He was constantly correcting my form… doesn’t that sound familiar?

Physical Therapy

7/9/10
After resting and applying ice to my back over the long weekend, I felt better. I went back to the doctor to get a release to work and explained my progress. He told me that it was normal for the injury to take awhile to heal and gave me a back brace to drive. I feel weird wearing the brace when I drive, but it helps and my back doesn’t spasm. It still gets a little stiff, but I can deal with that.

The last two physical therapy sessions were as usual. Yay! I am finished!!

Physical Therapy

Friday 6/25/10
I graduated to doing floor work in PT today! Unfortunately it was on a huge ball and I find it to be a bit creepy. But, the good news is that the exercises were challenging and I looked like a huge spaz trying to balance on the ball. I had to keep stopping and re-balancing. It could have been embarrassing, but it was too funny.

Wednesday 6/30/10
Great news! I started on the stationary bike today. I finally got to touch some real equipment. I also got a couple of extra exercises on the creepy ball. I feel horrible today but it has nothing to do with my injury. I just want to sleep all day. I had a migraine which lasted a couple of days.

Friday 7/2/10
After PT on Wednesday, I felt so great that we decided to go for a drive. We have been limiting my time in a car, because of my pain. We went to a little town about an hour away and I was fine. On the way back I started to get a little uncomfortable. Then I was having trouble sitting normally. My back decided that it wanted to start spasming and shooting pain down my leg. The rest of the ride wasn’t fun and I didn’t bother to take any meds with me.

Thursday I was really sore and stiff. I didn’t really feel that much better after my exercises. I had to drive the truck on an errand (the first time since the accident) and my back got worse again. I had spasms and shooting pain. I don’t understand how I can go running and swimming and work-out, but I can’t drive for more than 15 minutes?

I explained to the PT staff that I was having pain again and was having trouble driving. I took it easy on my exercises and then they hooked me up the electro-device and massaged me.

I feel discouraged and worried. How am I going to build back up to driving a car? On one hand I am SO glad that I can run. I would have a hard time giving that up. But, on the other hand, I NEED to drive to function in this society. It's depressing, but I will figure something out.

Physical Therapy

Friday 6/18/10
They took it easy on me today. I was hooked up to electro-fun, endured an easy massage (compared to the last one) and had my manipulations and stretches. I was still a bit sore, but was able to do my pool exercises afterwards.

Monday 6/21/10
The “massage” today was pretty intense and I was feeling pain. I have not been feeling pain or having spasms at all for the past couple of days. I am stiff and a bit sore, but not really feeling pain.

Later in the day, I did my 15-minute walk and also ran for 5 minutes! My body felt great, but my lungs need to be built back up. I also did my pool exercises. I felt great today. I want to go back to work and also start training again.

Wednesday 6/23/10
I got two new exercises to do today. I also asked if I could start doing my abdominal routine. The physical therapist was a bit hesitant about it, so I explained my lengthy routine and offered to do half the exercises at a quarter reps. He was fine with that. I also got permission to slowly build my run back up! Woo Hoo!!

While I was at it, I asked if I could look at going back to work. My job is very physical, and they weren’t convinced that I was ready for it. Crap! I will keep doing my exercises and plan for returning to work in about two weeks. I have to be ready by then, I have been making great progress!

Physical Therapy

Friday 6/11/10
By this time, I had not taken my muscle relaxers during the day for six days. I still took them at night to sleep. I was happy to be off of the meds at least during the day.

First day of PT and I was excited with the thought of moving again. I have been stuck “resting” for three weeks, now. My body was feeling sore from inactivity. After the initial assessment, I was hooked up to an electro-stimulating device. Staff told me that it was “for pain.” The sensations were strange but not unpleasant. I was supposed to receive a massage after that, which I refused. Since the injury was like a massive muscle ripping bruise, touching it was extremely painful. I could not sit on a chair normally, I couldn’t drive and I had to lie on my side to sleep. There was no way I was getting a massage that day without me defending myself. Lastly, I was taught some stretching exercises to do every day. I was happy to be able to exercise, finally!

Monday 6/14/10
I have been doing my exercises everyday, twice a day. My back is not as sore to touch, but I keep feeling like I am laying on a small rock. I even cleared the rug and checked my clothes. It was strange to feel like there was an object in my back.

The PT routine seems pretty set. They explained to me that the goal was to loosen the muscle up so that it can be stretched back to its normal position. So, I was hooked up to electrodes and afterwards offered a massage. I was feeling better, so I thought I might be able to handle the touching. She went pretty slowly and I guided her to the pressure I could handle. It was unpleasant. Afterwards, I did my exercises and then was manipulated by the Physical Therapist.

He added another exercise to my routine. I asked him if I could possibly start walking. I also promised that I would not try to run (even though that is all I wanted to do). He agreed that 12-15 minutes a day would be fine and also gave me some exercises I could do in the pool. Yay! I was so happy.

Wednesday 6/16/10
I have been walking exactly 15 minutes a day and doing four of the new pool exercises on top of the back exercises that I was assigned. I feel great! I have not had to take the muscle relaxers at night for the past two nights. Finally, I feel that I am making some real progress.

Encouraged, I went into the PT session. My plan was to ask for a couple of extra minutes for my walks. I was hooked up to a different electro-stimulation device. The pulses and sensations were slightly different from the other one and it seemed a bit more intense. Afterwards, he came in for the massage. The force of the massage was increased and almost felt good. I still had some tenderness and the site of the injury was still sensitive to pressure. The massage felt good and bad, back and forth. I completed my exercises afterwards.

The Physical Therapist came over and started his manipulations. I told him about my progress and that I had not taken muscle relaxing meds to sleep. I also asked him if I could increase my walking time or intensity. We discussed changing the dynamics of the walk and adding 5 minutes of a light jog. I was elated! He performed his usual procedure and then added an intense back manipulation. I felt fine and then left. This whole session was intense!

I felt so good that I wanted to try going to the store. I had not been able to go anywhere for any length of time. My back would get sore, then painful, and then start to spasm. We decided to go quickly and get the few things on our list. By the time we were done I felt very tired and a little sore. We went home and I crashed, I slept for 4 hours. When I woke up, I was very sore. I barely did my original exercises and I had trouble sitting on the couch again. My back was tight and full of pain. I took a muscle relaxer to sleep that night.

The next day was no better. I was either stuck on the couch or in bed with ice. I felt defeated.

Sometimes It Hurts To Fight

It started with a routine move. I have done this move many times when I was a child and was very good at it. I attempted to do it again and it went terribly wrong. This move could have been any form of activity; running, climbing, swimming, walking, etc. In this case it was a break-fall type roll in Aikido. I have done it many times, successfully, when I took Judo.

Martial arts injuries are as common as running or tennis injuries. Staying active runs a risk of injury. So, why do it? Many people engage in activities, including martial arts, to stay fit. Other reasons for engaging in activity include self-esteem, fun, competition and social aspects. Martial arts offer the extra benefit of self-defense.

I am a runner and I train in martial arts. I go to the gym regularly and also work out in my house. Why do I do it? I love to move. My body feels limber and I sleep great when I work out regularly. Swimming, lifting weights, walking, stretching, moving makes me feel good. I have sustained many minor injuries over the years and I still keep moving.

When I performed the roll in my class, it hurt. I rubbed my back and got up and finished the class. That night I was sore, so I iced my back and took some anti-inflammatory medication. I rested for a couple of days and then felt better.

A couple of weeks later I performed the same maneuver. I hurt the same place on my back. The difference between the first injury and the re-injury was the pain. After the re-injury, I felt a significant amount of pain. I could barely drive back home.

I saw the doctor, spent the next two weeks on muscle relaxers and then went back to the doctor. The doctor changed my muscle relaxers and gave me a referral for physical therapy. The weeks spent on muscle relaxing medications were frustrating for me. I was too tired from the meds to write or focus on anything. I slept and lived on the couch for most of my days. If I wasn’t too tired, I watched T.V. Generally, I hate watching T.V. so this activity left me irritated.

I was upset, frustrated and probably very irritating to those around me. My boyfriend, parents and friends supported me and made sure that I was following my treatment. Admittedly, I can be quite stubborn so, my boyfriend has put up with a lot of my crap. I am lucky to have such caring and wonderful people around me.

Taekwondo Training

5/22/10

Since my back was hurting and I couldn’t bend over, we took it easy. We focused on footwork and the forms. I am really having trouble with the high blocks and working them into the forms. I need to practice them much more.

Aikido Training

5/22/10

The move we learned today was relatively simple! Yay! We practiced two different versions of it and I actually understood it. We also worked on our footwork, which was very important in the move. While I was working on rolling from being thrown, I hurt my back. Ugh! I was so frustrated. Luckily, it was only on one side.

I went to the doctor and found out that it was a sprain. So, this halts my training for a week or so.

Aikido Training

5/19/10

Class was funny today. We were taught a move that was so complicated that it didn’t even register in my head! I watched it and tried to do it and I couldn’t get it at all. It was a relief to be told that many people have difficulty with the move.

Taekwondo Training

5/15/10

Today we worked on our footwork and forms. We are practicing all of the turns in the three forms that we need to know. I am mixing up my high blocks with my low blocks. I am going to have to work on the blocks and integrating them into the forms.

Aikido Training

5/15/10

We worked on our rolling today. We rolled forward, backward, from a sitting position and from a standing position. Most of the rolls are not so difficult to do, and I am definitely catching on.

Aikido Training

5/1/10

We got to train with the bokken today. The bokken is a wooden sword that is used in training. Sensei Mindy informed us that weapons training is a part of Aikido. The moves that we learn to perform open-handed or empty handed are the same moves that are performed with a sword. It is very interesting. There was a lot to remember, but it was great. I am so glad that I didn't hit myself in the head or trip on the bokken.

Aikido Training

4/29/10

To start this class we did a lot of rolling on the mat. We then worked on a move that had the risk of “clothes-lining” your partner. And you guessed it, I got clothes-lined. I think the problem was that I wasn’t sure what to do or how to fall or how to move with the whole process. This frustrated me immensely. So, I am confused about the “attacker” role most of the time.

We also worked on a defense for being choked from behind. I didn’t get it at all! I couldn’t get the desired result and I continued being choked. The funny thing is that I was too confused to be frustrated. Okay, being choked was really irritating.

I am not really retaining a lot of what we learn. The procedures are very complicated, and I know that I keep mentioning this. The problem for me is this; it is already difficult for me to learn anything physical and adding complicated moves on top of that makes it seem impossible. Generally, I take what I learn and try to create muscle memory by practicing the move or procedure over and over. But, I can’t remember most of what we do, so I can’t really practice it at home.

So, here comes some advice for anyone interested in Aikido. If I decided to continue on with this martial art, I would want to be able to attend classes more than once or twice a week. This would help me to practice the moves more and develop muscle memory.

Taekwondo Training

4/24/10

Today we worked on the “Heaven the Earth” form. I should say that we worked on high blocks and side kicks. At the end of the class we sparred a bit. I must say that I was not really in the mood to spar for so many reasons; my finger was still jammed from last week, we didn’t have all the gear, I was sore from working out at the gym and I really wanted to work on my form more.

So, when we started, I executed a round kick, which was blocked by Master Sue. Well, it was blocked by her elbow to my shin. The pain promptly reminded me that I wasn’t wearing the same gear as last week. Last week I sustained very minor injuries; jammed finger and pretty good bruise on my thigh. Unfortunately, my day job is pretty physical and can be violent. Any injuries can be a safety risk, depending on the clients. I told her about my concerns and she just told me that I needed to have the safety gear. So, I am going to look into what gear exists and if I can get some that I can use for multiple martial arts.

Here is the lesson for Taekwondo: you need safety gear to spar. This martial art is also a sport. There are many competitions available to go and “play” with others. The good thing about this is that you get to use what you learned against another person and with another person. The competitions are a good place to really develop your fighting abilities. Sparring is the practice for this. You will learn how to read your opponent, how to react, how to plan your attacks and defenses. The bad thing about this is that there is always the risk of injuries. Of course, if you don’t learn how to defend yourself at all, you will have worse problems.

Aikido Training

4/21/10

Ugh! What a horrible day. Severe menstrual cramps and a migraine worked together to create a totally useless and crappy day. So, I missed Aikido. No practice, no writing, nothing but waiting for the pain to go away.

Training

For the Aikido portion of the day we worked on the same move we worked on in Wednesday’s class (4/14). We also did up and down exercises (getting up and down on the mat), rolling from a standing position and did wrist-stretching exercises. It sounds a bit strange to focus on stretching wrists, I know. At this point, much of what we do has a great deal to do with twisting the wrists, elbows and shoulders in a manner that forces some sort of submission. Making sure that these joints are properly stretched and limber is very, very important for safety. We want to practice the techniques, not injure each other.

The Taekwondo portion of the day was an introduction to sparring. Sparring is an endurance exercise. Not only are you using what you are learning in the class, you have to last the round. It is a lot of work to spar. When I was finished with my rounds, I was breathing heavy and sweaty. It was fun.

Aikido Training

4/14/10

We worked on rolling down the mat, stretching our wrists and a new move. It’s difficult describing the moves. I think that calling the elaborate techniques that we are learning, “moves” is an oversimplification. It begins with someone grabbing or punching the other person. The person receiving the attack then performs a couple of simple motions and footwork, which puts the attacker in a very bad position. All of the procedures that we learn in the class are complicated.

So, moves (there goes that oversimplification again) that are hard to learn, but the payoff is good defense. I wonder how much of this I am going to be able to retain?

Training

4/10/10

Today was a bit unusual. The Aikido Sensei agreed to meet me on Saturdays to catch up my training for missing the Monday classes. I am at work during those classes, so it is impossible for me to attend. Luckily, Master Sue, my Taekwondo instructor, agreed to allow me to train on Saturdays at her dojang.

Now, that everyone is caught up, we can see where this is going… that’s right! Two and a half hours of martial arts on Saturdays. It wasn’t as difficult as I thought it was going to be. Both classes were great. The interesting thing about training in both back to back was that I could really see some of the similarities in the footwork. I could also see the differences between the circularity of Aikido and the linear nature of Taekwondo. I can see where knowing both would be advantageous in a self-defense situation.

On a selfish note, the class consisted of me, Jade and three martial arts masters. This project is just awesome!

So, this puts my Taekwondo at 7 classes. The moves are starting to feel more natural, my balance is improving so, I am not stumbling as much when I perform kicks. The stance is still a bit strange and I constantly have to correct myself. I am starting to enjoy the forms. They really are a moving meditation.

Aikido Training

3/31/10

It was really windy again for the last two days. My asthma is really acting up. I couldn’t make it to class today. It is really frustrating to miss class.

4/7/10

We worked on footwork, rolls and a hold. My footwork was a bit spastic, my rolls were fine and the hold was just plain old fun! Everyone in the class seems nice and eager to help us newbies.

Taekwondo Training

3/27/10

Class was great today! I didn’t cough at all, so I must be better.

We went over our forms, low block, high block, front kick and the self defense maneuver for the white belt level. She also talked a bit about the “philosophy” that we are to learn for the next belt. While we were reviewing our form, she pointed out that one reason to practice forms is to put all the moves together in a natural progression.

Aikido Training

3/22/10

I ordered my gi (training uniform) a couple of days ago. I was delighted that it was $35. It is much heavier than the dobok and the jacket opens like a robe. So, I am forced to wear some kind of tank top under it. I am already predicting that when the weather heats up, so will I. It doesn’t help that I already have hot flashes (thanks to perimenopause).

3/24/10

Today was the first Aikido class. The first thing that was very striking about this particular martial art is the extreme formality. To begin the class we are taught a bowing ceremony. After that, we are informed that we bow to the instructor, our classmates before working on our training, our classmates after switching techniques, our instructor after every instruction and then a bowing ceremony at the end of the class and then another exit ceremony where we bow to the instructor and (I assume) the top two people in the class. It made the first class pretty confusing.

We learned some footwork, wrist stretching exercises and the beginnings to one move. It was difficult learning the complicated moves. I can see that after practicing the moves, they will be effective. So, my advice for anyone wanting to get into Aikido; make sure to practice!

Taekwondo Training

3/6/10

We have not had class the past two weeks due to illness and other life events. Here we are missing class and wanting to learn more. So, what do we do with our time? We practice all the moves that we are not so sure about. I made sure to practice the form and the kicks. I know the more I practice the more balance I will get. I would like to get to the point where I don’t feel like I am going to fall over every time I learn a new kick.

At this point in my training, I still feel like the moves are pretty foreign. I am also having trouble wrapping my brain around the principle of pushing your attacker away from you. I want to get close and control my opponent, not push them away. Taekwondo works from the goal of getting your opponent away from you so that you can run away or something else. I am not sure, at this point, what that other thing is.

If you are the kind of person who is uncomfortable with the thought of touching your opponent, then Taekwondo will probably be a great choice.

3/13/10

This class was great! We worked on all the things we have learned so far. We also learned the round kick, a kick that I really like. This kick is going into my “favorite moves” file. I should make a page with my favorite moves… hmm.

Master Sue talked about the forms and I found out that I was doing one of the moves wrong. So, when I practice my form I have to remember to do one of the turns differently.

I just looked back through the Taekwondo entries and noticed that I have not really explained what forms are. Many of the martial arts have some kind of form. It is actually like a dance that you rehearse over and over again until you can demonstrate it to the instructor. There are many reasons to learn forms; discipline, improving muscle memory, improving follow through and lastly to bond with your martial art. I will be writing an article on this for the site and filming the forms that we are required to learn in our trainings. So, make sure to check the site and watch for these.

Aikido Training

Aikido training starts next week. It will be interesting to see the differences in styles and in training methods. I am looking forward to working with the instructor. I am probably going to say that about all of the instructors.

Taekwondo Training

2/27/10

No class this week. It wasn’t a bad thing since it gave me a chance to practice what I had learned last week.

A funny thing happened in class last week. She was showing us a sparring form. I kept getting too close to the other person and making it difficult to deliver that kick we were working on. When I got in close, I wanted to do a leg sweep, flip or hold on the other person and had to really think about the kicks that we were supposed to be practicing. I guess that this was my first “muddy moment.”

Many of the instructors that I have talked to asked if it was going to be difficult to learn so many forms in such a short time. While we are learning and practicing, it isn’t difficult to keep them separated. I guess when it comes time to spar, it might get a bit more muddy. It will be interesting to see how it develops.

Taekwondo Training

2/20/10

This week we learned the side kick and worked on a form. She also talked a little bit about the various stances in TKD (front stance, back stance and horse stance). She also introduced a sparring combination (angled step, front kick, front kick, punch, punch). There was a lot happening in the class today and I do not remember it all very well.

She invited another student to join the class, so we could not film much today. She was also trying to teach the other student (two belts above me) other things for her belt. It made the class a little confusing.

Aikido Training

This week we found an Aikido instructor. The classes will start in March. I think Aikido will be challenging for me because many of the moves are very complicated. Once I learn the moves, it will be great! Getting there is going to be a lot of practice.

Expenses of Training

I have been addressing the expenses involved in the project. The project involves training in at least three different forms of martial arts, maintaining a web site, gathering data, interviewing instructors, writing articles and blogs, etc. For the training, I am training for one hour a week and practicing for 15 minutes a day, three days a week. I think that this is the minimum time a person would be willing to invest.

If I was seeking training as the average person, I would be very happy with the cost. Many of the studios/schools offer free uniforms with at least a 6-month contract, if they require one at all. The monthly tuition generally allows a student to attend many classes a week. From what I have seen, the consumer is getting a good deal.

Honestly, this is a great time to get involved with martial arts/self defense. There are a lot of different styles to choose from and the rates are pretty reasonable

Expenses of Training

Unfortunately, I do not have three instructors. One instructor is too expensive, one instructor does not want to be involved and one instructor is actually training us. So here we are, searching again. All of the problems that come up are expenses; expenses in time, energy, sanity and money. Okay let me list some of the expenses of the projects so far:

-Money: Obviously money is going to be an issue. We need money for training, uniforms, domain and hosting charges, software, ink, paper, and camera equipment. We are constantly trying to think of ways to get money for the project.

-Time: Scheduling training and interviews around our different work schedules.

-Energy: This is a big expense. Luckily, we all love what we are doing in this project. This makes the expense of energy seem fine. But, all of us are putting in many, many hours a week to make this project work.

-Sanity: Hmmm… This is questionable. Did any of the team have any to start with? Each of us has been frustrated, irritated, confused and annoyed with the project. Each of us has been excited, elated, energized and eager about the project. The constant up and down takes its toll on sanity.

Each of these expenses is dealt with every day. Our enthusiasm keeps us going.

Taekwondo Training

1/23/10

It is a little strange taking martial arts classes again. The uniform feels strange and I am constantly adjusting it. I wore a tank top underneath the uniform; big mistake! I was pulling and adjusting and sweating. I won’t be making this mistake again.

In this class we learned the low block, straight punch, a specific method of stepping and the high block. The moves were totally unfamiliar and the ready stance was very uncomfortable and unnatural. I would not fight from this stance.

I have to practice this low block before the next class. I am horrible at it. It seems like a silly move.

1/30/10

Sue (the instructor) asked if we had learned the tenants (courage, integrity, perseverance, self control, indomitable spirit). Neither of us had learned them. I was so busy practicing the low block, I didn’t even think of them.

This uniform (dobok) is a little strange. It has long slits up the sides that hang open. Once you get moving in the class, it rides up and exposes your skin. I don’t happen to care about being exposed but, it does get a little uncomfortable.

So, we learned a front kick, and she got more into the punch. We also worked on the blocks, especially the one I am so terrible at. She also informed us that we are going to be learning a form, which incorporates all the moves she is teaching us. My homework for the week will be tenants and blocks.

2/6/10

We dove right into the beginning of the form that we must learn. She demonstrated it and then we worked on the various turns that are involved. This form is not as complicated as it can be. The moves are pretty repetitious. We also worked on the blocks and the front kick. She introduced the natural stance for sparring.

Expenses of Training

Training is officially going to start this month. I was finally able to get three motivated and excited instructors. I am so happy to be working with all of them.

On another note, this training is proving to be quite expensive. Each martial art is not bad, but three together is a lot. The initial administrative fees plus the uniforms and other stuff adds up after awhile. I will be sure to include all of that in this blog. You should really know what to plan for with each of the martial arts.

I didn’t really think of that when I started this project. I was focused on the physical and self defense aspects; am I too old, how fit do I need to be, can I do three at the same time.

So, I will be working out the details of paying for the training. It would be nice to have sponsors, but most sponsors want a prettier, younger girl with less stretch marks.