Got bored of the gym so I joined Karate! (yikes)

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Bionic Man

Had a long chat with my cardiologist (2 years post surgery - AVR + aortic root replacement thanks to Marfans). After going through my laundry list of strange heart-type pains he listened to my heart and said that it sounds great and that the other things are not at all worrysome. In fact he said my greatest risk was being on blood thinner.

He also gave me the go-ahead to up my pulse rate to 130 while exercising. I asked him about Karate and he got kinda nervous but didn't say 'no' entirely.

I hope I didn't make a mistake but I got tired of living carefully since apparently none of the things I worry about day to day are really anything at all. It's hard to explain but I guess taking it easy and worrying over every little pain is maybe killing me in a sense. So I decided to do something I have on my "unfinished" list

Anyway what's past is past and I'm 3 weeks into karate (with some limitations). I've tried to keep my pulse down but it's gotten pretty high in the high 150s. At times I feel pretty slammed by the workout aspect of it but I have to say my weird little aches and pains have gone and I feel ok afterward.

I guess I not certain that I've done the right thing and I reserve the right to change my mind but at this point I'm going to work at it even if it takes me until I'm 70.

Thoughts?
 
Hi Bionic Man!
I don't have expert information to offer - I also had an aortic valve and aortic aneurysm fixed about two years ago, but without the complication of Marfans and am not sure how that impacts excercise, etc. However, I applaud you for deciding to move past your illness to pursue something you've always wanted to do. At some point, you have to live your life! I've recently started running (in January) and am planning to compete in my first 5K next month. It just feels fabulous to be getting stronger and faster after such a protracted period of exhaustion and weakness post surgery. Again, I'm not expert on Coumadin as I went with a biological valve, but my guess is that if you protect your head, the worst that can happen are some nasty bruises, right? I wish you the best of luck and let us know how it goes! Kate
 
I think you have the right attitude and that goes a long way to being successful, no matter what your goals are. Keep up what you are doing and everyday you'll notice improvement.

BTW, where in West Jordan do you live? I lived there for 7 years, from 1995-2002. Lived across Bingham Hwy from Copper Hills High School. Loved it there...in the summer:D
 
for those thinking about doing similar things...

for those thinking about doing similar things...

I just wanted to qualify my decision by saying that I did talk it over with my cardiologist and noted his objections about sparring and getting bruised. Also I talked to the master and he agreed to the limitations I have including permission to duck out on an excercise and take a break. That said it's still hard to take that needed break because it's a little embarrasing.

So if you decide to do the same do it for yourself, knowing the risk but if you want just fitness a gym is probably still a great place to do cardio.

But for me... I'm going for the black belt :D
 
im glad you decided to take such a big step. i started muay thai very shortly after my avr to get back into shape, and i have to say, i love it. its a great workout. im not on blood thinners, so i dont worry about brusing, etc ... but i did start only 8 weeks after avr, and even though my surgeon gave the good ahead and said my sternum was healed, even now (6 months post avr) i still feel little pains here and there. have fun!! you're inevitably going to get caught with an errent blow, but just roll with it. it wont kill you! we got through open heart surgery, how bad can anything else be, relatively speaking?
 
Update (white belt 1 stripe)

Update (white belt 1 stripe)

It's been going pretty well so far. I've certainly got my heart rate up way higher than it's supposed to be. Often times just the opening 5 minutes of class with the light stuff gets my heart really going. I still take breaks when I need to which is a little embarrasing when everyone else is still going at it but oh well.

At the end of each class I feel like "what the heck am I doing?" Then an hour later when I'm feeling better I think "hey it didn't kill me... sweet!" Then the next morning I'm obsessing about it again thinking "I can't wait to go again".

I got some "props" the other day for doing side kicks which are pretty hard when you're a newbie and I nearly kicked the heavy-bag over.

We did a few self-defense kinda sparing things which was a little more nerve wracking. I took some small bruises but nothing too significant. One girl kneed me in the sternum but not too hard. Mine has been well healed for a long time now and it didn't bother me too much. But then we switched to using these massive pad things which helped.

I love the technique and forms part but the sparring is a little wild.

I'll keep you posted.

David
 
White belt two stripes

White belt two stripes

Well I've survived another month. We're preparing for a tournament in which I'll be competing with a kata form. I couldn't compete in sparring at this point anyway nor will I likely ever but I sure want to.

Wow, I'm sure enjoying myself. As a kid I knew I liked Karate but now it seems like I was made for this. The over-worked feelings are going away and I'm finding myself able to keep up and not get too wiped out. My teacher has been good to let me take breaks and sit things out when I want but so far I've only had to do that twice. My muscles are actually growing now which is kinda freaky for a guy who couldn't build muscle to save his life before. Now just a few pushups and I'm putting on muscle. (WOW)

Also did some board breaking stuff the other day in which I thought my hands might take some bruises but not a one.

Mostly we just do kicks and punch combos and the occasional push-ups and sit-ups so the work is highly cardio but so far I'm tolerating it ok.
 
Good on ya, i unfortunately decided to quit my martial arts after AVR and i really miss it.

However with a wife and two young kids i thought it was a little too high a risk, once the kids have taken flight or i'm a little better off financially i may reconsider.

Wait until you try those spinning heal kicks....if you don't end up on your butt at least once i'll be suprised.

Enjoy.
 
Karate Tournament #1

Karate Tournament #1

My wife, boys and I entered the local tournament. We did your katas and self defense techniques, there were a lot of people in their divisions that were higher ranks than they were so they didn't win a trophy but I had it better and was able to bring home two for our school.

Despite the romance of what I'm doing and how much I'm enjoying it I realize there may well be a day when I have to hang up my belt and stop. But so far I'm moving forward.
 
Yellow Belt!

Yellow Belt!

Tested for my yellow belt the other day and made it! :D Now I can no longer say "yeah I used to do karate when I was a kid and I almost got my yellow belt". Even if I stopped now I'd be happy just having finished that unfinished business! However I'm feeling pretty good and want to keep going.

I feel like it's been much easier to tolerate the workout and my BP has been much lower recently during karate.

So here's to finishing old dreams!
Cheers...

David
 
David,

Congratulations on your yellow belt. I am happy to hear things are going great on your path to the black. Wishing you all the best.
 
David, I love your attitude and perseverance. It's great to reach a new goal and for us especially, it's just another indication that there is an active life possible after heart problems and other types of operations as well.
Two of my grandsons (12 and 10) recently tested and passed the Jr Black Belt. I think that's what they call it. They are both starting to get interested in competition.
Congratulations on your accomplishments.
 
My new karate class versus my old one

My new karate class versus my old one

When I was a young guy I did karate with an instructor who was more old fashioned. Basically he pushed us like what you see in the old movies... 300 pushups in a two hour class... he'd walk on our stomachs while we did sit-ups and would have us practice full punches to the stomach while breating and preparing to recieve strikes. (which was fine if you were ready) That was all well and good for me being healthy at the time and I was able to handle it.

I just wanted to clarify that the studio that I study with now is more modern and does not try to kill you in order to make you stronger... they are much more into technique and forms rather than brutal body reshaping for combat. I also watched about 3 months worth of classes (taking my boys) before committing to join.

So if you consider doing something like this... don't go with the old-school "break-a-two-by-four-over-your-head" kind of karate, rather find a newer more forgiving form where the emphasis is on the technique and overall fitness.
 
We so often have members ask about karate. This is a good thread to direct them to read. Thanks for keeping it as a sort of diary and week to week update. Hope you reach your longed for goal.
 
Update (yellow belt ... 1 stripe)

Update (yellow belt ... 1 stripe)

My wife had a serious hysterectomy and I took care of her for a long-long time (she's better now) so I've been out of Karate for a while but I'm back now.

It's funny, I dread Karate but it's also something that I really value. I think even though I feel really at home when I'm doing it I get feeling insecure and stupid feelings creep in especially after a long break. Tonight I actually felt like I was in my element again.

I'm normally such an avid QUITTER that it goes against my nature to stick with something like this. But whether or not I get to use it in real life it feels valuable to me for whatever reason. In a strange way the only thing I can compare it to is saving money, it's painful but you can feel the satisfaction build as the money grows. Ultimately I guess I'd have to say it's the satisfaction at finishing something I started 25 years ago.

Cheers!
David
 
Saw a Marfans specialist and asked about Karate

Saw a Marfans specialist and asked about Karate

My doc who's a Marfans specialist says that I am cleared to do Karate as long as:
1) I don't do full chin-ups which would cause me to strain or full dips like we sometimes are asked to. She says push ups are fine but if it becomes difficult to switch to the knee-version push ups. (this is because of my aneurysm concerns)

2) She says that I could possibly spar with pads etc but I can't be thrown onto my back. I guess being thrown on your back can cause dissection of the aorta and should be avoided. The style of karate I do does not get into throws anyway and sparring does not involve throws and leg sweeps are not allowed. Of course if I do spar at some point it will be only with headgear that protects my nose.

My studio is very accommodating and is allowing me to rest when I need to and also is allowing me to get 1 on 1 instruction when classes are intended to be more of a workout than what I'm up for.

David Cross
 
Karate Tournament

Karate Tournament

My wife, the boys and I went to the latest tournament. After putting in a long day of running from pit to pit we finally managed to get to all of our events and were very successful!

My boys won two trophies in forms and self-defense techniques. My wife won 3 trophies for weapons, forms and self-defense and I took home two for forms and self-defense. All in all we earned 15 points for our school!
 
This sounds really awesome David. I hope it's still going well for you. I'm surprised your cardio said you shouldn't be thrown onto your back, but I suppose that's good advice to follow for anyone, not just those who've had aortic issues. Anyway, keep it up & don't feel bad about making accommodations for yourself for things. It's how it is supposed to be. I recently joined a cycle class at my gym, where they really push you & get that HR up there, so I have to take breaks now & then. Others notice but I know I'm doing the right thing taking it easy sometimes, and no one says anything because we're all there for the same reason - to reach our fitness potential.
 
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