Tyler and I started taking Arnis de Mano lessons at Dual Dragons after it got too cold for biking so we could stay in shape until we leave. Last night we had the hardest workout I've ever experienced, and both of us got our butts kicked. Many times we felt like quitting (or collapsing or vomiting or hyperventilating), but we kept on going.

our normally 30-minute super-intense training session was going to continue for the duration of our entire two-hour class. It was hellish, and it just kept going.

Tyler did really well at the running-on-all-fours-like-a-bear exercise, but then couldn't see straight and felt like he was going to hurl for the next 20 minutes. I was doing okay (really exhausted and in pain, but at least I didn't feel like I was dying) with all the crunches, lunges, running, punching, etc, and I even somehow managed to complete my 50-push-up penalty for dropping my stick… but I almost lost it when it was becoming clear that our normally 30-minute super-intense training session was going to continue for the duration of our entire two-hour class. It was hellish, and it just kept going.

I almost burst into tears during the tumbling exercises. I'm not usually one to fling myself head-first towards the ground hoping to then somehow gracefully roll and flip up in the air. It took some getting used to. We came home aching, bruised, red and throbbing from getting hit with sticks so many times, and thoroughly exhausted from our workout. Biking around the world is going to be a breeze compared to this.

Just a Note: Despite how this post makes it sound, we actually really enjoy Arnis de Mano classes. We're getting so much better and having loads of fun. Our teachers and classmates are really great too, and it is wonderful how we're bonding more and more as a team/family with each class we attend!