Crossroads

The last few months have been an aggravating experience regarding my kendo career. I returned to practice with the hope that I could take off from where i left after my sandan grading last year... however, a few weeks passed and I realised that this will never be the case. Firstly I struggled with the problems anyone else would after 8-9 months out of the game, my timing was out, loss of speed and my cardio was blown. However, more upsetting was the discomfort in my knackered wrist. I now have trouble lasting a standard night's practice, if I jar it in either taitari or over doing a 'wristy' waza the dull ache can last for 4-5 days afterwards.

This situation has really knocked my kendo enthusiasm for 6. I've become more frustrated as the weeks pass and even considered jacking it in on more than one occasion. In addition I caught a couple of cracks on the right hand knuckle (probably the return of an old bad habit) which means i've also had to deal with a swollen hand.

All this came to a head a few weeks ago after a couple of particularly rotten rounds of jigeiko. My abysmal kendo combined with injured hand and wrist meant I packed up and left the dojo half way though the night. I was absolutely seething and was the first time in 8 years i've left a session early. If i'd passed the Thames on the way home i would have lobbed my bogu into it.

A change is required.

Firstly I told myself Rule #5 and dug out my old 'sausage kote' with the protective band over the knuckle. This should let me practice without further injury.

Second, I'm seriously considering studying Jodan. I managed a couple jigeiko with jodan last week to protect my swollen hand and enjoyed it (my katate men was pretty bad haha)..... this got me thinking. People have suggested trying it in the past because of my height but i've always been put off by becoming the club tsuki magnet, my low grade and a lack of local Jodan specialist friends I can leech advice from. However, I now feel that I have little choice due to the injury. I plan to discuss with my peers to see what they think as Jodan (the 'kamae of fire') requires a fearless attacking spirit - not how i'd describe myself!

By travelling down this road I have to accept that future grading opportunities will be bleak and i'll have to go back to basics. This will be a test of patience .

First Steps Back

Its been a while but i'm finally updating two weeks after returning to training.  I'm only attending one practice a week at the moment so I can rediscover lost muscles and easy my wrist back into action.

Its been an fascinating experience to say the least.  First of all it was great to see familiar friendly faces again, it was great to fight then have a few pints down the boozer afterwards.

I also found some aspects of my performance surprising.  Although my kendo fitness is shot to hell, i found my timing is still ok-ish.  However, movement, accuracy and distance is all over the place!  I'm yet to rediscover the kendo 'feel' - I felt like a fish out of water at times.  I'm hopeful this will improve over the next few weeks.

Another surprise is practising without my previous performance 'obsession'.  This maybe due to my current cycling fixation, but I left both practice sessions with a sense of contentment as opposed to beating myself up over some waza screwup or another.... or perhaps its because i'm just happy to simply train again?  Either way I've forgotten all my old hangups from 7-8 months ago and was able to jigeiko without excess mental baggage.  I'm unsure if it'll stay this way, ha!

As for the wrist, it was pretty sore after both sessions.  I iced when i got home and it seemed to be ok the next day (there's always background discomfort anyway).... maybe this is how it will always be?  I'll bump up to two practice sessions in a few weeks to see how I get on. I'm also wearing wrist braces which are designed for tennis use, apparently this type of injury is common in that sport.

Outside kendo I've finally completed my BA Graphic Design degree after 5.5 years of study.  I managed to sneak a first which I'm pretty pleased about, this has now freed up time for other stuff.  I also have my first 75 mile cycling sportive in a few weeks.

New Year Return

Happy new year!  I hope 2013 turns out to be a better year personally (injuries and all that) and for everyone else (economy and all that).

I've just returned from another visit to the physio who said I should buy two of these and try a practice session to see how I get on.  First I need to complete my final design degree project and hand in on the 11th, thus completing just short of 6 years of study - im finally out of jail!

Therefore, in a few weeks I should have my first practice in six months and almost 12 months to the day from my initial injury.  However, I wont be rushing into it, I'll prob only do half sessions for a couple of weeks.

P.S.  One thing I have noticed.  I have only suffered one cold since my hiatus from kendo.  Therefore, i'm suffering due to lack of sleep, running my body down or surrounded by diseased kendoka.  Its probably a combination of all three!  Im not looking forward to the regular illness again.

Edit (20-01-13)://  Sods law.  I was planning on my first practice last Friday but ive injured my left hand side intercostal muscle (muscles between ribs).  I think it was through a combination of gym and cycling.  I have to rest for a further 3-4 weeks.

It looks like my bad luck is continuing :(

Injury Update

After regular visits to the physio things have started to improve.  I can now rotate my wrist with minimum discomfort, only occasionally tweaking it when opening doors or lifting something heavy.  Its also a little stiff and achy when cold.

Considering my whole wrist and forearm was in bits earlier this year, the pain has now localised to a very small area near the ulna.  This is a major improvement in regards to everyday life, not just kendo.

During the last 4-5 months i've been strengthening both wrists using weights and a claw hammer.  The hammer is used to twist the wrist left then right, building up rotational stability.

I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to return to practice late January.  How long I can last is another matter.

Disappointing News

Just back from the specialist who explained my wrist situation.

First my left, he outlined a series of bruised bones in my lower palm area, where the bottom of the shinai tsuka sits and you squeeze with the bottom fingers.  The doc explains this is the result of an impact injury.  I suggested this could be the result of tenouchi and the sword slamming into my palm from cuts and tsuki - he seemed to agree.

The doc said this should recover after a few more months of rest.

News about my right wrist was more depressing.  He highlighted a slight tear in the cartilage which is the suggested cause of the pain.  He has referred me back to the physio so I can return to rehab work.... however, if this doesn't improve I have to make a decision whether to live with the pain or give up kendo.

The realisation that I may not be able to continue is only just dawning on me.

Anyway, i'm out of action to January 2013 and will assess the situation then.  Until this time I doubt i'll post many more messages.

Still out of action

Over a month has passed since my grading and still no kendo.  My physio suggested I get an expert opinion on the injuries so have since seen a rheumatologist and completed MRI scans on each wrist.

I've posted a few example pics, sadly you need to be an expert to know whats going on as I have no idea.  My next appointment with the specialist is late September.

During this down time i've discovered road cycling which will hopefully keep me fit while i'm out of training.

..... and breathe.

Sandan done and dusted.

Now to take some time off to try and fix my wrists.