That reminds me of a coach I had when I was about 12. Soccer coach. And we were talking about self defense. He kept insisting that my speed (I was really fast at that age) was my best defense.
I always remember that too. 🙏
I hope that I’ve taught my daughters well. Staying/getting out of risky situations is still and always the best defense.
As to the self-defense stuff, that's exactly correct. Rhonda Rousey is (or was, IDK if she's still fighting) a badass in women's 135 lb weight class. But she'd get smoked by every straw weight male (115 lbs and under) fighter in UFC, and by most men on the planet.
To underscore that, it's helpful to understand some human anatomy and phys. I'm only going to outline the aerobic differences - this crowd is sophisticated enough to appreciate the differences in musculature, fat content and distribution, etc.
To start with, adult males have a total blood volume of around 5.5 - 6 liters. Adult females have a total blood volume that is usually around 4.5 liters.
Red blood cell density per given volume. Men have around 5 million RBC/mm^3 of blood, women are around 4 - 4.5 million RBC/mm^3 of blood.
We'll assume a man with 5.5L of blood, and a woman with 4.5L of blood
Male total RBC count: ~27.5 trillion RBC
Female total RBC count: ~20.5 trillion RBC
But there is another disparity which compounds the chasm of difference in total count: hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying iron found in reach RBC.
Male range for heme is about 14 - 18 g/dL, but 15 or 16 is normal
Female range for heme is 12-16 g/dL, with 12 or 13 being more common.
Not only does a man have about 25-35% more blood volume, he has about 35-40% more total RBCs in his body, and about a 30-35% greater O2/CO2 carrying capacity in each of his RBCs.
It still doesn't end there. A man and woman of the same height, age, and bodyweight even have different lung capacities - his will be 10 - 12% greater. On average, a man will have about 25 - 30% greater lung capacity with which to take in new O2 and expel CO2.
When you mix all this together, men have on average about twice the aerobic capacity of women. There is no training, and no amount of drugs or anything else that will ever overcome this.
This is all common knowledge to anyone who's taken Anatomy & Phys for medical or nursing school
"Taking out a knee so an attacker can’t chase you and then running like hell is always, always, always going to be your best strategy."
This is excellent general advice regardless of your sex, size, or training in self-defense. An attacker might approach with empty hands, but could easily have a weapon in a pocket. Also, some jurisdictions have duty-to-retreat laws and you can find yourself being hauled into court by the predator or a victim-blaming prosecutor if you do more than is necessary to buy yourself the time & space to flee. Protecting yourself from legal consequences is an underappreciated aspect of self-defense, particularly in blue areas. Daniel Penny and Kyle Rittenhouse are only the two most well-known examples of what can happen to you.
I took a woman’s self defense class at my son’s karate school many years ago. We were told the same thing-slow them down if you can but first and foremost run, scream, be vigilant. A woman should choose flight over fight. The “science” is clear-men are stronger (in most cases) than women.
On a slightly different topic:
I belong to a few crochet Facebook groups. Yesterday someone posted that a 7 year old (yes 7) at the gym came out to this group member that she was nonbinary and bisexual. The woman asked for ideas on a crochet project to give this child as affirmation. The responses were supportive and congratulatory of her acceptance and care for this child. Unbelievable yet all too cringeworthily believable.
I would love to purchase a drawing of either a family of quail or of our alpacas. I will get back to you soon.
Running is honestly the best choice for men, too. The son of our karate instructor got involved in a street fight. He was a 2nd dan black belt, 21 or 22 years old, match fit with some championship cups, an absolutely prime specimen of a fighting male. Somebody smacked him round the head with something from behind and he was lucky to only be concussed. Street fighting isn't sparring.
I was one of the biggest "tomboys" to walk the planet some 55+ odd years ago. As much as I hated it, I accepted that something awful happened the summer before my freshman year at ye olde Catholic high school. Every boy came back from that summer able to out run, out jump, out hit, out kick, and out throw me. I was competitive - but even the once so-so boys were always going to be able to kick my tush. I accepted that reality and focused on the female half of the species. (Year - 2017. An under age *15* boys' soccer team kicks our Olympic female team's tail, 5-2, in a scrimmage. Cue the excuses.)
In self-defense, your goal isn't to beat the other person up, it's to get away - so at your first opportunity to run, run!
If they get close enough to grab you, though... "...go for the four sensitive areas of the body. Just remember to "SING". Solar plexus, Instep, Nose, Groin!"
I too spent a few years as a young adult taking the kwan do classes along with a variety of self-defense classes. I remember my frustration at not being able to budge my boyfriend at all when trying out techniques. Although I was able to break some of the holds.
What an amazing instructor- solid and wise advice to prevent any of the girls/women from entering situations they can’t handle.
Your drawings are also sweet. There’s an innocence in all of them. I wonder what they’ll look like a few months from now as you continue practicing and refining. Congrats on getting your drawing hand back!
OMG, I neeeeeed that drawing of the squirrel and the camera for my girlfriend's 30th birthday next month! If it's for sale now or at any time, please let me know!!
I got tears in my eyes reading the story, too.
Wonderful story!
That reminds me of a coach I had when I was about 12. Soccer coach. And we were talking about self defense. He kept insisting that my speed (I was really fast at that age) was my best defense.
I always remember that too. 🙏
I hope that I’ve taught my daughters well. Staying/getting out of risky situations is still and always the best defense.
Love your art Holly!
I know you will find many eager buyers.
Nice artwork.
As to the self-defense stuff, that's exactly correct. Rhonda Rousey is (or was, IDK if she's still fighting) a badass in women's 135 lb weight class. But she'd get smoked by every straw weight male (115 lbs and under) fighter in UFC, and by most men on the planet.
To underscore that, it's helpful to understand some human anatomy and phys. I'm only going to outline the aerobic differences - this crowd is sophisticated enough to appreciate the differences in musculature, fat content and distribution, etc.
To start with, adult males have a total blood volume of around 5.5 - 6 liters. Adult females have a total blood volume that is usually around 4.5 liters.
Red blood cell density per given volume. Men have around 5 million RBC/mm^3 of blood, women are around 4 - 4.5 million RBC/mm^3 of blood.
We'll assume a man with 5.5L of blood, and a woman with 4.5L of blood
Male total RBC count: ~27.5 trillion RBC
Female total RBC count: ~20.5 trillion RBC
But there is another disparity which compounds the chasm of difference in total count: hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying iron found in reach RBC.
Male range for heme is about 14 - 18 g/dL, but 15 or 16 is normal
Female range for heme is 12-16 g/dL, with 12 or 13 being more common.
Not only does a man have about 25-35% more blood volume, he has about 35-40% more total RBCs in his body, and about a 30-35% greater O2/CO2 carrying capacity in each of his RBCs.
It still doesn't end there. A man and woman of the same height, age, and bodyweight even have different lung capacities - his will be 10 - 12% greater. On average, a man will have about 25 - 30% greater lung capacity with which to take in new O2 and expel CO2.
When you mix all this together, men have on average about twice the aerobic capacity of women. There is no training, and no amount of drugs or anything else that will ever overcome this.
This is all common knowledge to anyone who's taken Anatomy & Phys for medical or nursing school
"Taking out a knee so an attacker can’t chase you and then running like hell is always, always, always going to be your best strategy."
This is excellent general advice regardless of your sex, size, or training in self-defense. An attacker might approach with empty hands, but could easily have a weapon in a pocket. Also, some jurisdictions have duty-to-retreat laws and you can find yourself being hauled into court by the predator or a victim-blaming prosecutor if you do more than is necessary to buy yourself the time & space to flee. Protecting yourself from legal consequences is an underappreciated aspect of self-defense, particularly in blue areas. Daniel Penny and Kyle Rittenhouse are only the two most well-known examples of what can happen to you.
I took a woman’s self defense class at my son’s karate school many years ago. We were told the same thing-slow them down if you can but first and foremost run, scream, be vigilant. A woman should choose flight over fight. The “science” is clear-men are stronger (in most cases) than women.
On a slightly different topic:
I belong to a few crochet Facebook groups. Yesterday someone posted that a 7 year old (yes 7) at the gym came out to this group member that she was nonbinary and bisexual. The woman asked for ideas on a crochet project to give this child as affirmation. The responses were supportive and congratulatory of her acceptance and care for this child. Unbelievable yet all too cringeworthily believable.
I would love to purchase a drawing of either a family of quail or of our alpacas. I will get back to you soon.
Those are all great pictures! Keep 'em coming!
Running is honestly the best choice for men, too. The son of our karate instructor got involved in a street fight. He was a 2nd dan black belt, 21 or 22 years old, match fit with some championship cups, an absolutely prime specimen of a fighting male. Somebody smacked him round the head with something from behind and he was lucky to only be concussed. Street fighting isn't sparring.
I was one of the biggest "tomboys" to walk the planet some 55+ odd years ago. As much as I hated it, I accepted that something awful happened the summer before my freshman year at ye olde Catholic high school. Every boy came back from that summer able to out run, out jump, out hit, out kick, and out throw me. I was competitive - but even the once so-so boys were always going to be able to kick my tush. I accepted that reality and focused on the female half of the species. (Year - 2017. An under age *15* boys' soccer team kicks our Olympic female team's tail, 5-2, in a scrimmage. Cue the excuses.)
In self-defense, your goal isn't to beat the other person up, it's to get away - so at your first opportunity to run, run!
If they get close enough to grab you, though... "...go for the four sensitive areas of the body. Just remember to "SING". Solar plexus, Instep, Nose, Groin!"
I too spent a few years as a young adult taking the kwan do classes along with a variety of self-defense classes. I remember my frustration at not being able to budge my boyfriend at all when trying out techniques. Although I was able to break some of the holds.
I formally trained in jeet kune do and wing chun. My plan is to run even if I have to climb over the person like a cat just tossed in a bathtub.
It makes my heart happy to hear about a realistic martial arts teacher.
What an amazing instructor- solid and wise advice to prevent any of the girls/women from entering situations they can’t handle.
Your drawings are also sweet. There’s an innocence in all of them. I wonder what they’ll look like a few months from now as you continue practicing and refining. Congrats on getting your drawing hand back!
Wow. That man was a truly good person to have met. I appreciate what he said.
And that's why, in places where you can, ladies should strongly consider carrying a handgun. Those really will stop an attacker.
Love the story and the drawings! The ones with the animals are my favorite!
OMG, I neeeeeed that drawing of the squirrel and the camera for my girlfriend's 30th birthday next month! If it's for sale now or at any time, please let me know!!
Send me an email -- hollymathnerd at gmail