This is a realy hard post for me to write but I need some direction on this... -L- I just turned 57 last week, funny how time flies, I'm 5' 7" 158 lbs and in reasonably good health.
I never much worried about taking care of myself before. I wrestled in high school and college at 121-127 lbs., did a short stint in P.A.L., kept in good shape at the gym and had the sense not to get into any bad situations or start fights or get in over my head. Having said that, I never backed down from anyone either.
But face it, we all get old. While at one time I could bench double my weight and run a 1/2 marathon three or four times a year, I'm now good for a two-mile walk to work and I can maybe bench my weight. So?
I read these posts as a newbe and they are great, but I live in California where carrying a gun is an extremely difficult proposition. At this point, if some big doofus wanted to kick my butt, it would probably get kicked... -L-
This wouldn't be so bad if I had your basic office job, but the work I do in politics means I often walk pretty dangerous neighborhoods in Stockton, Oakland, etc. registering voters or helping constituents, especially seniors and veterans.
Are there any other members here who can relate to not being very big, getting up in years and having work that could get them in difficult situations -- i.e. crackhead city? And have you figured out a strategy or self-defense method? I'm open to any and all suggestions. I could go back to the gym and maybe join a dojo, but man I'm stiff in the joints, so I'll never be what I was 20 years ago.
Any advice appreciated... :- )
I never much worried about taking care of myself before. I wrestled in high school and college at 121-127 lbs., did a short stint in P.A.L., kept in good shape at the gym and had the sense not to get into any bad situations or start fights or get in over my head. Having said that, I never backed down from anyone either.
But face it, we all get old. While at one time I could bench double my weight and run a 1/2 marathon three or four times a year, I'm now good for a two-mile walk to work and I can maybe bench my weight. So?
I read these posts as a newbe and they are great, but I live in California where carrying a gun is an extremely difficult proposition. At this point, if some big doofus wanted to kick my butt, it would probably get kicked... -L-
This wouldn't be so bad if I had your basic office job, but the work I do in politics means I often walk pretty dangerous neighborhoods in Stockton, Oakland, etc. registering voters or helping constituents, especially seniors and veterans.
Are there any other members here who can relate to not being very big, getting up in years and having work that could get them in difficult situations -- i.e. crackhead city? And have you figured out a strategy or self-defense method? I'm open to any and all suggestions. I could go back to the gym and maybe join a dojo, but man I'm stiff in the joints, so I'll never be what I was 20 years ago.
Any advice appreciated... :- )