After Six weeks of physio-therapy, Numerous repetitions of R(est) I(ce) C(ompression) E(levation), copious amounts of Ibuprofen (which I now dub as "Vitamin I"), and precious skin lost as a result of taping, I was finally able to make it through the entire class without having to rest my ankle!!! Huston, we have progress! Monday left me ecstatic! I felt so confident through the warm up and the forms, things really came together for me! My hand that sometimes drifts off my belt during upper blocks felt glued to it, and every single technique felt clean, crisp and powerful. I had a very hard time not smiling, I was supposed to have my mean face on, but I think my eyes were crinkled up at the corners. Even my Kata was smooth, despite the fact that every time I do it to the sensei's count I turn the wrong way on the third move. Boy is that annoying. I have no clue as to why I do that, and its only when my sensei tells me the move. By myself, however, it never happens. I just don't understand, but I think its one of those things. Of course with Kata there are always things to improve on. I was nailed for looking down a couple times and needing to make my stance a little longer. Or was it wider?? During "target" practice, (ie. working with a partner and pads) I lost the magic. Granted it was the first time in six weeks that I had worked on them, it was a bit harrowing (probably more funny from another persons perspective) to watch me do spin kicks. Everything went wrong with them! If I wasn't spinning fast enough, I was kicking to high, or low, or taking extra steps!! All I could do was laugh at myself and think, "THANK GOD THIS IS NOT ON MY BELT TEST!" I felt bad for my poor partner. I know she doesn't like to get hit, and there were times where I am sure she thought that my out-of-control flying feet were headed right for her face.
Sunday
I think Sunday afternoon workouts are the best. There are no formal classes and no bowing in. You are in control of your own destiny on Sundays and I love it. I usually have a set schedule that I adhere to: warm up, core work, stretches, technique, Kata, fighting maneuvers, and finally self defense (if I have a partner). It will usually take me a wholesome 2 hours to get through it all especially if I concentrate on doing everything as best as I can. I was lucky enough on the previous Sunday to have our Master Sensei run me through all my belt test requirements (Yes folks, I am going to be tested in a week or two!!!). This Sunday, I was told I would be sparring with my Sensei. I, for one, can not believe how fast you lose your aerobic conditioning. After one 1.5 min sparring session I was sucking back wind pretty hard. After two... I was down with my head between my knees gasping for air. I.
Two Sunday afternoon highlights: The first, after being extremely warm and loose I was able for the first time to go down into lateral splits, as well as front splits!!! I have never in my life been able to go down into lateral splits and I was only able to go down into front splits when I was in my pre-teen years. I am so excited to be regaining my old flexibility and then some!! Now, if only I could catch that ever elusive pull up!!
The second highlight of the day was when my Sensei's daughter came to practice with us. Incidentally, she attends the elementary school I work at, so we know each other. She is 8 years old and already is a very skilled karate-ka. Last tournament she took first overall in her division for sparring and second for kata. I had a great time letting her make combos on me, I was too afraid that I would bowl her over if I put any force behind my combos (even then I kept getting winded- Sheesh!). When we were done for the day, and in the change room changing, she asked me a question that still makes me giggle when I think about it. Very boldly, she questioned me as to whether or not someone made me go to karate or if I wanted to go on my own. I found it hilarious that she didn't see me as an adult at all but rather just another student taking karate, and possibly forced to take karate. I told her with a huge smile that no one makes me take karate, and that when you love to do something, you want to do it all the time!
Things to note for the future:
Belt test upcoming in the next two weeks
First tournament May Long weekend. If I place first in either kata or sparring I will have a chance to be invited to the world championships in Las Vegas. How cool is that?? I am definitely going to try for kata and give it my all for sparring.
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