MidSummer Blues

Wow. I'm surprised to see when I posted last. Time flies during the summer months. I've been pretty busy since the school year ended. And, as promised to my husband, I am taking the summer months off. Let me say now...this...is...torture. Practicing at home is definitely not the same as working out at the dojo. I am not as motivated, and since I'm "taking time off," my brain is telling me to eat more and not exercise! I miss the dojo, I miss the instruction and training, and I miss getting tossed about by my friends.

I've decided that I must step up my workout at home, beginning tomorrow. Since we just got back from vacationing in Colorado (which I LOVED being there), I've decided to get "with" the program and do what I've said I was going to do. My new exercise regimen is about to begin. I have about four weeks until the new school year starts and I want to get a jump on "doing the right thing."

I'm writing this down so that tomorrow when I read this post, I will feel obligated to be serious about beginning. I would hate to post that I haven't been doing anything!

Wish me luck.

Got it...nope...EARNED it!

OK, the day finally arrived! It turned out to be TWO days of testing, though. A few days before the test, the master instructor said that we should come on Friday night, too. So, we spent 3 1/2 hours on Friday night testing, then 4 1/2 hours on Saturday afternoon. Was it difficult? Exhausting? Tiring? YES, yes, yes. It was more than I expected, but I felt I handled it well. At the end I was very proud of myself! All 5 of us earned our first degree blackbelts, and one other person earned her 3rd degree black belt. Being the oldest, and the only woman (the 3rd degree-er wasn't with us the whole time), I felt like I accomplished a great task and reached an important goal! It has been a long journey and I am so glad I chose this path to take.

Now, what's next? I made a commitment to my husband that I would take the summer off. I don't want to stop completely, though, because I just can't stay away! I'll try to get some private lessons, just to keep up. I will, though, go to the gym more often, keeping up with the running, and trying to lose more weight!

For right now, I'm just enjoying the moment!

3...2...1...Blastoff

It's Tuesday.
The test is on Saturday.
I'm drinking water.
I'm focused.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.

Countdown

Black Belt Mama was surprised to get her 3rd degree brown, but I'm sure she was more than ready for it. They don't just give them out to anyone. I tend to question my abilities, too, and I'm never sure whether or not I'm ready to move on. But I definitely believe in my instructors and their opinions. And, they keep encouraging me and telling me that I'm ready for my black belt. They have been by my side every step of the way, and now that the countdown is here....JUNE 2, 1:30pm...they have continued to push me, encourage me, and tell me that I CAN DO IT. I don't think I would have come this far if it weren't for them. Now, if only I could convince myself...

I'm training harder and harder. I've been running at home, sometimes on the treadmill, and sometimes outside. It's definitely nicer outside. I'm getting better at it. I'm not a great runner, by any means, but I make an effort. My son, who's 10, even came running with me the other day. I really enjoyed that and hope he's willing to do it again with me!

Nervous, but excited! Feeling like I'm prepared, but can't remember everything! Counting down the days.

Fun Run

OK. Finally. I have BEGUN to RUN. It's been cold out, lately, so I thought I'd try our treadmill out. I actually LIKE it! It must be because my conditioning has gotten better over time and I don't lose my breath like I used to. I actually surprised myself by being able to run a mile on the treadmill, without stopping, in 20 minutes. I know that may sound funny to others, and it's probably pretty easy for many others to do, but, I don't care. It's a very big step for me, and now that I know I can do it, I'm putting myself on a strict running schedule. After all, my BIG test is coming "soon" and if I don't prepare better for it, I'll never make it.

Yes, my black belt test is coming up. The master instructor casually mentioned that I and a few others are officially "in review" and can be called at any time. The last weekend in April is the target date. I hope it's not earlier. I need to RUN!@!

Time Flies

I can't believe that it's February and I haven't posted since October. To catch up...I got my third degree brown belt. It was a difficult test, but I felt very good about it. Thinking back, I can't believe how far I've come from white belt to now. I wasn't able to do 20 jumping jacks. I can do 100 now, without a problem. "Running in place" is actually fun! (Not really, but it doesn't wear me out like it used to!). I enjoy being exhausted when class is done. I still look forward to learning more and teaching others.

Now the push is for black belt. Six to seven hours of testing. I'm in "serious" mode now. Gotta work out more. Gotta RUN. Jumping rope is one of my new favorites, too. I'm trying to do that every day now.

Brown Belt/Third Degree

Got hurt. Recovered in three weeks. Feel great. Received permission to test for my next rank this Saturday! Third degree brown.

It's been a whirlwind of a month...actually, since September I've been BUSY. I've been working very hard in the dojo to perfect my material. The first day back, after I got hurt, was pretty embarrassing. Master L reviewed me, and I actually had to apologize for "forgetting" my forms and some simple techniques. I couldn't believe how I froze in front of him. He understood, though. (Even though, for the next few nights he made me do the techniques that I messed up over and over again.)

I got over it, and have worked twice as hard since then. My back is feeling great...I'm lucky about that. Tonight, as we reviewed, I got taken down hard, and before I got up, I held my breath. But, I was fine! whew.

I'm very excited about Saturday morning. I'm feeling really good about my training. I'm pretty confident that I'll do well. As long as I don't freeze! I have a great support system, too. Even though "the guys" will try to wear me down and break me down during the test, I know they have every confidence that I will do well. Their confidence in me and their support help keep me going.

Wish me luck! I'm off to drink lots of water and to rest up!