...ain't what you may think.
As Mrs. Kerodin advances in her CQB training with me, I've had to try and figure out why I wake up more sore than does she. I think I figured it out. It isn't simply because I am now 45 and have abused my body for nearly my entire adult life.
The blue trainer in the picture above is what she derisively calls her "Malibu Barbie" training knife. She's not happy that she doesn't get to use live blades yet. I swear folks, I think she is determined to prove that a blue trainer can, indeed, penetrate my belly and reach my backbone.
What I have found is that as she improves and throws a good counter, forcing me to defend, whether empty-hand or with her Barbie knife, or closes the gap as she takes my knee and steps on it at painful angles, I end up taking the hit or wrapping her up in a way that I would never do in real life, even on a dojo mat. I have trained wives before (not my own, of course) and if the lass throws a good counter I would never hesitate to turn her energy and bounce her off a wall or hit her with her own elbow.
But I can't do that with my own wife, I've found.
So, I end up defending myself and then trying to catch her or break her fall before she hits the wall. Or, I just let her connect.
As a training methodology, I have to say it's not the best for the trainer. ;)
Guys, make sure your wife can defend herself. That is your responsibility. I know I can teach my wife better and faster than any dojo, but I can't say I'll necessarily live through it. I think I may have to get her trained up to a certain level, then send her into a Krav class, for my own health.
Tonight I think I'm going to turn her loose on a few breakfalls. If I can't type tomorrow, it's because I threw my body under her to break her fall.
Love hurts.
Kerodin
III
