STRESS INOCULATION

Kasey and I go running out on woodsy trails, designed for hikers, runners and mountain bikers. It’s a great place to get a good workout with all their convoluted trails. Up and down, sharp curves, rocks and tree trunks for obstacles, trying to avoid the mountain bikers racing around the corners. Never a boring moment and anything but an easy run.
Last Saturday, we were getting ready to set out on the trails when he looked at me and said: “You have a 10 seconds head start then I am coming after you. If I catch you I will kill you. Go. NOW.” It’s amazing the amount of adrenaline his statement alone released. Now while Kasey is a friend and I know he would not kill me (I trust him with my life) I was very well aware that if he caught me, there WOULD be pain involved. And when I say “if” I really meant “when”. If this strapping young officer could not catch a little old women half his size, he doesn’t deserve his badge. I don’t know if you have ever seen Kasey or been on the receiving end of his attacks but let me tell you, it’s not all that pleasant. Trying to outrun a highly trained and skilled SWAT operator as him IS nothing short of stressful.

I kicked it in high gear right off the bat. The adrenaline was flowing, my heart racing. The fight and flight response was in full bloom. When your heart rate reaches above 175 bpm, your capabilities start to disintegrate.… loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision), loss of fine motor skills, loss of cognitive function. While I knew that technically my life was not in danger (we can all survive pain or injuries), the sprinting alone increased my heart rate and brought me well above that 175bpm mark. After about 1/3 miles I was starting to slow down and I could hear his footsteps catching up with me. I started to look for a place to possibly hide … nothing. No dead branches to use as a weapon. My mind was not seeing the other things I could have used…. rocks, sand in the eyes. Soon I came around a corner and I was facing a steep incline covered with a large flat rock. Yup the typical horror/ thriller movie cliché happened… I slipped and fell. Me!!! I DESPISE those scenes where they ALL fall down, twist an ankle, trip… come on…. All you need is to run… can’t you handle it!!! But I see how easy it is to lose your fine motor skills, your balance when you are under a high stress. This is where training and specifically training with stress inoculation comes in handy.
This was a great way to add reality to training, how to turn a basic run with the potential of being boring into something exciting and most importantly a learning experience. It showed where my skills are lacking and what I need to train harder with.

Self defense or assault?

The new trend in SD is to teach people balls out SD, kill your opponent. He dared to attack me, he will be crushed. You threw him down, knocked him out, now stomp on his neck or head to make sure he doe not get back up. I got news for you, when a guy is down for the count and you stomp on his head, this is NOT SD, this is considered an aggravated assault or possibly a murder. You have just became the guy you feared. If you are not a law enforcement officer, you HAVE A DUTY TO RETREAT. This is the law. If there is a way to get away, you HAVE to take it. Running away is an awesome SD
Now this being said there are times when you cannot get away, it is physically impossible. This is when you NEED to use good SD skills. But do you need to kill the other person? Maybe, maybe not. If you learn to take control of the situation, this will give you time to realize if your attacker does need to have lethal force applied to him. Remember, the goal of ANY good self defense is to keep you unharmed, NOT to inflict punishment or to get vindicated.
Understanding the kind of violent conflict you are trapped in will determine what your response will be. Taking Rory and Marc’s class (or reading their books, see link at the bottom) will help you being able to differentiate. What they teach is very enlightening and will prove to be life saving.
Don’t be afraid to protect yourself when you need to but remember the best protection is avoidance. It’s much easier to take care of your well being when you don’t get into violent conflict. Stay away from places where violence occurs, use common sense and most of all don’t let your pride get yourself in trouble. Is it really worth getting hurt just because you perceived you were insulted? Notice I said “perceived” because when it comes down to it, it is your choice to get offended or not.

http://www.chirontraining.com/Site/Home.html
http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/
http://conflictcommunications.com/LEOtraining.htm

What is a fighting spirit and why do some people have it and some people lack it. I would say that fighting spirit is a desire to win to overcome, but everyone wants to win . The difference is that someone with true fighting spirit is prepared to do what it takes to achieve that goal while others have decided that the price to pay is too high. So what brings that fighting spirit out of people? Is it the goal that drives them? Is it some basic instinct, is it genetic or physical attributes, circumstances, environment? What makes a warrior? What turns on that torch that burns inside of a warrior's heart?
And by "fighting" I do not only limit this to a physical battle but a mental, emotional "fighter" is just as much a warrior. Battles can and need to be fought daily in real life.
(opinions welcome)

Can you take this quizz???

You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just read the list straight through and you’ll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.


How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. They are not second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school…

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: the people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money or the most awards.
They are the ones that care

Find a good teacher

The teachers that help you the most are those who make you think the most. To be given a steak when you are hungry is great, to be taught how to hunt so you satisfy your own hunger is awesome. To be taught to keep your pantry filled so you never have to go hungry is even better.
How does this relate to SD (since this is a SD site): the teacher giving you a steak is basically providing you with a bodyguard. While it’s great and it works, what happen if you are attacked when you are by yourself? The second will teach you certain moves that have a very high percentage of success. This is great and a good step toward being self sufficient. The third will teach you principles that will serve you in any set of circumstances.
The aim of education should be to teach us how to think, rather than what to think.

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” -Sun Tzu

Good preparation is the surest way to victory, in everything you do. How do expect winning a de-escalation if you do not understand the human psyche and are yourself trapped in anger. How do you expect to knock someone out if you have never thrown a punch or a kick How do you expect out running an attacker if you never practice your cardio How do expect escaping a tight hold, a grip or a bad position if you never train in the counter moves to it How do expect getting a job if you stay in bed all day How do you expect to eat if you don’t procure food and prepare it first. Make a plan, decide on the appropriate steps and start walking the path. If YOU don’t make plans for your life, someone else will. And you may not like where they are taking you. “Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?” -Sun Tzu

Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
Chuck Norris counted to infinity—twice.
The chief export of Chuck Norris is Pain.
Chuck Norris doesn’t read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.

When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.
Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.
Chuck Norris is his own line at the DMV.
When Chuck Norris does division, there are no remainders.
Chuck Norris can blow bubbles with beef jerky.
Chuck Norris can get Blackjack with just one card.
Chuck Norris puts the laughter in manslaughter.
Chuck Norris makes onions cry!


But since none of are Chuck Norris, I recommend that we train hard and well in a consistent manner