Georgia Fiero Club Forum

General Discussion and Announcements => General Discussion => Topic started by: GTRS Fiero on December 31, 2017, 10:19:24 am

Title: Decathlon?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on December 31, 2017, 10:19:24 am
I'm considering entering a decathlon this Spring, before I'm too old and decrepit.  Last time (some years ago) I wanted to enter, I got sick for a year, instead.

It isn't all track events.  There are 10 categories, and 1 event must be chosen from each category.  The first category contains 1 event: a 40-mile hike.  This event usually takes about 12 hours, and you qualify if you finish in fewer than 17 hours.  The other categories spread events from wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, and climbing, to fencing, weight lifting, various target shooting (bow, rifle, handgun), swimming, and some running events.

Obviously, I won't be swimming, weight-lifting, or doing much running.  I'll have to re-qualify for several events to participate, because I have nothing of record for years.

Points are assigned to each event, but I have to choose 1 event each from 3 full-contact categories.  So, 1 wrestling event, 1 kickboxing event, and 1 boxing event.  I've never even heard of some of the disciplines.  Anyway, I have the same problem as last time: no one is in my weight class.  I do not want to box with anyone who has 100 pounds on me.  20 pounds, maybe, but I don't intend to get hurt.  Participants are allowed to wear a cup.  No gloves, head gear, chest gear, etc.  This is a family event, so no biting, gouging, groin hits, etc.

I can decline a match with a particular competitor, but that forfeits maximum points to that competitor.  In a match, competitors rarely get maximum points.  If I agree to a higher weight class, I'm obliged to match or forfeit all in that class.  It's again been suggested that I compete in the women's division, but 2 of them are in a heavier class.  I don't want to be boxing women.  That wouldn't seem to send the right message to my son.  Besides, if I lost the match, I got bested by a woman; if I won, I beat up on a woman.  And no, my wife isn't able or willing to participate.  Besides, there is nowhere safe to hit a woman.  If a guy gets hurt, it's a battle-scar, but a woman...  I just can't get serious about fighting a woman.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: Fierofool on December 31, 2017, 10:37:36 am
The first step in starting your training:  See a Cardiologist!
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on December 31, 2017, 12:24:52 pm
Yeah, training comes first.  My heart doesn't worry me as much as my lungs.  I'm missing half of one lung, but I ran track that way.

Doctors.  One of my kid brother's grade-school teachers went in for a routine check-up.  As part of the check-up, they put him on a treadmill, while hooked up to various testing equipment.  The teacher had a heart attack and died.  This just after this teacher had been given a clean bill on his heart.

Everyone must pass a physical.  I'll get shots in my knees to help.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: Fierofool on December 31, 2017, 01:58:17 pm
The husband of one of my cousins was a retired Navy pilot.  In order to keep his certification, he had to put in so many hours flight time and that required a regular physical.  He also had a heart attack while on the treadmill, but he survived. 
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on December 31, 2017, 02:20:06 pm
I'll have to demonstrate that I can defend myself on the mat and in the ring.  For the physical fitness, 250 situps, 50 chin-ups, 50 pushups, and run a mile in less than 6 minutes.  I'll have to do some of those climbing things with ropes.  I'll have to get in the water and flop about, but don't have to pass anything if not swimming.  I'll have to demonstrate flexibility.  I'll have to take classes on handling fatigue and dehydration.

Among the listed disciplines are judo, jiu-jitsu, karate, kenpo, kung fu, akido, taekwondo, jujutsu, and a few I've never heard of.  I have no titles, so I'll have to demonstrate in 3.

For fencing, oddly, I'll demonstrate in epee, although I only compete with a saber.  My last record was during my freshman year of college.  I was pulled out of competition, because one of my knees collapsed.  I took third, but never lost.

Track was last my junior year of high school.  I wasn't a distance runner, but had issues with my knees, which is why I was pulled out of state competition.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: TopNotch on December 31, 2017, 02:39:44 pm
As part of the check-up, they put him on a treadmill, while hooked up to various testing equipment.  The teacher had a heart attack and died.
I've had to do the treadmill thing once every three years AFTER my heart attack. Never any problems with it. Maybe it's better to have the heart attack first, and then do the treadmill. ;)
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on December 31, 2017, 03:41:36 pm
Sounds like a plan.  I detest treadmills.  Hard surface, short space.  Fine for walking, but as soon as I try to jog, one foot gets off the belt, and I get launched off the treadmill.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on December 31, 2017, 06:29:52 pm
Last year, Tammy completed a "Canine Biathlon".

...

She completed a ~4 mile obstacle course, and took one of our dogs (hence the "canine" part) with her, to compete, too.

This may not sound like much but it was special, because three years prior, she was so sick and out of shape, that she could barely walk up our stairs from the garage. She had had pneumonia twice, and an infected gall bladder removed, all in the space of 1-2 years.

She's going to do it again this spring.

Dangling modifiers?  Poor Tammy!  Can she walk up the stairs, now?  How many gall bladders does she have?  Do they regenerate?

When I read the part about her getting her gall bladder removed again this Spring, I about fell out of my chair.

Sorry.  I couldn't help myself.  I guess some of this was the dog.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: GrannyLinda on January 01, 2018, 08:13:05 am
I Had My Gall Bladder Removed Last May
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 01, 2018, 08:22:54 am
The gall of whomever did that!

We went ice skating for a few hours, last night.  It was an outdoor rink.  The promised snow did not materialize, and the music was terrible.  The temperature was 10 degrees warmer than this morning. I guess I should skate more often, but my muscles are still there, because they're all vying to remind me.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 06, 2018, 06:28:13 pm
Well, I ran the mile in 6 minutes.  I had someone help pace me, to keep my speeds down.  My goal was to run just under 6 minutes.  I was really winded, afterward.  After the break, I completed the physical fitness, although the situps and chinups took a while.  Resting is allowed, provided your feet don't touch the floor.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: Roger on January 07, 2018, 08:48:31 am
Rule 1, I a'int running. I pack heat. I walk over 7 miles every day just at work. Then I have a honey-do list when I get home. Then I get plenty of sit-ups and pull-ups crawling under my Fiero and truck (I haven't got time to get under my Firebird and get it finished...yet), I swim like a light rock, I'll climb a tree but not a rope, roller blade but no ice skating, treadmill only if I have a beer in front of me. Doctor says I've got a heart like a Mack truck but he's just practicing. Both shoulders and left knee shot from snow skiing (doc said I'd never do it again). Guess I showed him. Right knee still recovering. Ca'int hear, got to wear glasses, can't remember a darn thing but I can still make enough to pay bills so, I guess I'll be around for a while.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 07, 2018, 08:54:07 am
I can crawl under my truck, but don't fit under my Fiero.  I write things down, so only have to remember where.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 10, 2018, 06:28:09 pm
Bad news.  My right leg bone is apparently too weak.  It would seem that they could cut out the weak part and make it strong.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: Roger on January 11, 2018, 05:45:13 am
Ouch! How did they figure that out? A sonogram? That sounds mighty painful! Sorry to hear that.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 11, 2018, 08:16:40 am
An MRI, I think.  They ran several tests.  There were lots of X-rays, but I thought they were looking at an old injury.

The leg doesn't normally hurt, but sometimes, there is a pain deep in my leg, about as far down as a pocket sits.  The pain lasts for 5 minutes or so.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: Roger on January 11, 2018, 03:36:57 pm
No more wine making for you!
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 11, 2018, 06:00:54 pm
Wine making?
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: Roger on January 12, 2018, 08:42:50 am
Lots of stomping grapes.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 12, 2018, 06:11:19 pm
Fortunately, I don't stomp grapes.  I always thought that process was disgusting.  I saw some movie like Walk in the Clouds, where they were crushing the grapes with their feet.  Yuk!

Whatever my job title or description may be, I get paid to orchestrate solutions.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: Fierofool on January 12, 2018, 06:50:12 pm
There's a big winery near me.  Chateau Elan.  Part of the Panoz family.  There was a local TV host doing a segment at the winery.  She and another woman were up on a platform, stomping grapes in two large wooden tubs.  She slipped and went face first off the platform.  It showed her as she splattered her face on the pavement.  You could hear her screaming as they cut away.

https://youtu.be/0yiERQSwNDA
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: GTRS Fiero on January 12, 2018, 07:11:52 pm
Terrible.  I never want to do a pace plant into pavement.  Really, you have to question the judgement of anyone who gets up on a platform the first time to stomp grapes in tubs.

There are a number of wineries here, and in Hermann, and all around.  I've been by them, but never to them.
Title: Re: Decathlon?
Post by: Roger on January 12, 2018, 10:13:19 pm
2, count 'em, 2 face plants onto pavement! Damn bicycles! And I had FUN stomping grapes up in Paso Robles, CA. You get a great foot bath both before and after by lovely ladies.