YAY! I'm last!!!

We ran before class last night. I was one of the last ones out the door and DEFINITELY the last one in from the run. We only did two laps around the building, but sheesh! I swear, I'm in class with a bunch of gazelles!! They're all MUCH younger than me and in better shape. I didn't get discouraged by the fact that I was last though...I even made a joke to Master M...I came in and told her later, "Yay! I'm last!!!" We only had to run 2 laps around the building, but man! That was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I walked most of it but did manage to shuffle myself into something resembling a run for a little bit. Master M told me to keep at it...just do my best. Eventually I'll get myself into a better place, running wise. I'll never pass a physical torture, er, test, if I don't start working on it now.

We focused on doing the forms with weights in class this week. It was a bit of a challenge to not just flail out with the weights. On Tuesday, I used 5 pound weights and last night, I went down to 3 pound weights. Before class, I ran on the elliptical for four minutes (with only ONE break!); did triceps presses, some sort of lift for the deltoids and a machine that was called a "fly". I tried to increase my reps and decrease the weight. My chiropractor told me to go for more reps, lower weight, so I listened. (yes, she *can* be trained!)

I know what I need to do to improve my overall health and fitness. It's called KEEP WORKING! I didn't do my Wii workout this morning, but I am NOT beating myself up over it. I figure yesterday was a huge workout, in terms of the weight lifting before, running and weights during, then the kicking workout (15 reps per leg, three different kicks--side, front and roundhouse) was enough to allow me to skip working out this morning. Tonight is another story. I definitely plan on working out when I get home!!

Balance

In talking to my chiropractor this week, I mentioned to him that I needed to learn to turn my hips over better when I'm doing side kicks. He mentioned to me that I needed to get a wobble board to work on improving my balance. My chiropractor is a martial artist and knows that you have to have balance in order to be able to get the movement down for the turn. When you perform a side kick, you need to be able to 1. Turn your hips over and 2. Allow your supporting foot to pivot. If you don't, you will not perform the kick correctly. He said that the wobble board would improve my balance and would allow me to be able to execute the kicks properly.

I missed a good class on side kicks a few weeks ago. K said that Master G had everyone lay on the floor and practice kicking. It helped improve the positioning. I have to make a point of practicing that at home. It will definitely help with the ability to learn how the kick should feel.

Tony told me that the Wii Fit board we have should do the same as a wobble board, but I'm not 100% convinced. Yes, it will work on balance, but is it enough to improve the balance properly? I'm going to keep that in mind.
I have the Wii Fit, but I don't use it. I haven't used it in nearly 6 months. It is time to dig it out and start using it.

Sloppy kicks are not acceptable

Class last night was different. It was a major eye opener to me.

We did warm ups that consisted of hand and foot techniques. We did reverse punches for hands. 30 total...10 for technique, 10 for speed, 10 for power. 30 on each side for a total of 60. I felt it last night in my shoulders because I've been sloppy in my training and have not trained well in my opinion. I was not keeping my elbow tucked down by my side for the punches and kept rolling my shoulder up. Master G had to correct me a number of times. He was watching all of us and making comments about improving our techniques.

We also did kicks for warm up. Again, here's me noticing how sloppy I am in my technique. I feel like I'm just learning all over again. It feels very much like I'm starting over. I read on a blog (Ikigaiway) that black belt is when you start to learn. This is really true for me. It hurt me to not spend a lot of time practicing except for black belt prep classes. Realistically, I think in the three months between leaving USMA and joining BTK as a full time student, I kicked my own butt. I didn't practice in between. It is showing too.
During the kicking drill, Master G reminded me that I needed to turn my hip over when I do side kicks. Amazingly enough, I found that I had more power when I did the kicks correctly. I could hit the target more than I was when I didn't turn my hips over. I know I've heard "turn your hips over" many times. I just didn't put it into practical application. I have to now or else I will NOT move ahead. If I plan on earning my Ee Dan in April (not that I'm seeing it very likely, realistically), I have to kick better, punch better and perform forms MUCH better. I need to learn Bunkai so that I can explain the WHYS of my forms.

Wednesday night class

I taught my class last night. I just made up my mind that I was NOT going to let the fact that I train with these people intimidate me. I went in with the feeling that I was going to do well in class and that I was going to make it fun, but a good workout and I think I accomplished that goal.
We started out with the basics--bowing in, etc. Then I had everyone move to the end of the room and we started our warm up drills. They ran from one end to the other, then they bunny hopped back. I had them do lunges with a front snap kick, then they did crunches and push ups. I also had them revisit some of our *old* material--the combinations I first learned when I was starting out three years ago. Those were fun. I found myself demonstrating the combinations and when I did, I noticed that my front stance was a bit better. Yippee!

Since Wednesday is a sparring night, I had everyone work on front leg front snap kicks, round house kicks, side kicks and hook kicks. We worked with a Wavemaster and had fun knocking it down. After that, we went to actual sparring. I tried to make sure the sparring was fun but worked well so that everyone felt that they accomplished something.

I decided to go in with the attitude that I was going to take charge of that class and own it last night, which I think I did. I am still pretty pleased about how it went. I feel like I can do this again. I would like to think that Mr. M will give me the responsibility of doing this whenever he's out of the office and when other people are busy. That way it's a good use of me and allows me to get in more teaching time. Now I need to go look at my calendar and see if that qualifies as a credit toward my teaching certificate...

9 days

The test is only 9 days away. Today I have to decide what I'm going to break boards with and then write it on an index card. I have to give my instructor my index card tonight when I pre-test on my forms. I think I'm going to do a front snap kick, elbow break, an axe kick and a side kick. I'm THINKING about a ridge hand break as well. Either that or an inverted knife hand. I have to find out if it's allowed. I just used my boss as a guinea pig for an inverted knife chop. Hmmmm.
I think I'll just send a quick email to Mr. M and ask him if those are okay. I think I'll do the front snap kick last as it's most impressive after all the others. We shall see. I'm gonna be sooo tired...