day 18 of 21 (Treena Glover)

Day 18. I began my day by exercising for thirty minutes by walking around the field near my house. When I returned home I did some stretches. I am going to start incorporating some early morning stretches in my day. I stretched for ten minutes.

At 5:30pm I headed to my gym for a quick class of Hapkido. I usually go to Hapkido three to four nights a week (rarely on Friday), but I had some extra time and decided at the spur of the moment to make it to the 6:30pm Hapkido class.

Master Choi started class on time and stretched us thoroughly. We then exercised and partnered up for some practice on punching and kicking. I was sweating but feeling great...until we broke off individually. I have one lesson left to learn before I can test for the next belt color; which is yellow for me. I have to learn a front fall roll (different from a front fall learned in my breathing & forms). In addition I have to learn to roll out of the fall, while breaking a board. Master Choi pulled a mat on the already soft floor and began teaching me how to do the front fall roll. I did a few rolls unsuccessfully, so he decided to try doing something new with me. I laid on the floor (back down) and he had me practice rolling forward and backward. He then left me to practice while he covered the room helping others. When Master Choi returned to me he felt I was ready again to practice the front fall roll. Well...guess what Chicago ??!!!! In practicing this particular move, my form was incorrect and I ended up hurting my back. I felt a sharp pain dig beneath the layers of my back. Not wanting to scream in pain or cry...I simply laid down on the mat. Several students approached me asking me was I okay. I said yes. Hmmmm...why do we say that?? When we are having a horrid day we usually respond with fine when asked by someone "how are you today?"

Well...I have decided not to do that anymore. When someone asks me "how are you today?" they'd better be willing to stick around for a true answer not just a politically correct one. Anyway...I was thinking that when Master Choi approached me. He asked was I okay...and I said "No, there is a shooting, stabbing pain in my back." He then had me lay on my back and roll softly on it. What the heck!!!! I said again "Master Choi, my back is in pain." Master Choi then told me this would be good for my back to relieve some of the tension in my muscles, so I tried it. Okay...my back felt a little better. Then Master Choi said lay on my stomach and stretch my torso up, extend my arms and look towards the ceiling. He said this was stretching my back. Okay...I tried it. Initially my back pain was at 100%, but after following Master Choi's directions my pain lessened to a manageable 50%.

Instead of quitting class, I decided to end with my class when we did further stretches. As I was leaving another student approached me and asked was I okay. I told him about my back pain. He then massaged my back right on the spot. I LOVE MY FELLOW HAPKIDO STUDENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone in class is ALWAYS sooooooooo helpful to others!!!! Another student approached me and said the pain and injury will get worse, but don't give up...it will get worse then I will become more skilled and the injuries will lesson. She then told me how she nearly broke her ribs. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!! I asked her why did she come back. She told me there is something about Hapkido that wouldn't feel right if she didn't come back. THAT'S HOW I FEEL!! I love training in Hapkido tremendously!

When I looked at the time it was already 7:45pm. One of my girlfriends was having a party...and I decided earlier in the day that I would stop by for an hour or so...then head home. Well, after hurting my back I decided to skip the party and just soak in my gym's whirlpool. While soaking in the whirlpool I saw another fellow Hapkido student; Roberto. Roberto shared with me the fact that he's been in Hapkido training for over a year and a half and never had an injury. I asked him what was his secret. He told me that he spends time in the whirlpool and sauna before each class. He then stretches before the instructor even stretches us. After class, Roberto spends more time in the whirlpool and sauna. I'm going to try out his advice, but I have the feeling Roberto came to Hapkido with some skillsets already under his belt.

I'm going to do VERY LIGHT exercises on day 19 and day 20. Day 21 I'm going to hit the gym hard in Hapkido, personal training session with Rock and maybe even a stepping aerobic class.

So on day 18 I exercised for 1 hour in Hapkido and half an hour of walking.

For breakfast I had one sausage, scrambled eggs and a half bagel.

For lunch I had more pizza (can't get enough of it)

For dinner I had a huge salad.

I drank water all throughout the day. I drank either 12 or 14 cups of water. I lost count today on the water consumption.

Until day 19...Don't let a setback deter you from your dreams.

Treena Renee Glover

Producer and Co-Host of Self Portrait
selfportrait@rocketmail.com