Why?

I keep asking myself "why am I doing what I'm doing?" This helps me to be motivated even when my body says I need to take a break. I've been having back issues that got worse in the last couple weeks. Sometime it is so bad, it hurts breathing. It does get better throughout the day and I was able to attend most classes and training.

Why am I doing what I'm doing?

One of the reasons is to stay healthy. I plan that when I'm 70, I will still be active. If I stop now, I will not be active 30 years from now...

Black is the new black

I got my black belt about a year ago after working hard. Very hard. In the year prior to me getting my black belt I was at the kwoon working, learning as much as I can. Priorities were set based on my values and goals to allow me to be at the kwoon almost everyday. I had highs and lows but motivation and re-engagement kept me going.

Now a year after, I'm still at the kwoon 6 days a week. Sometimes more than once a day. Why? you might ask. It is because my journey is not even close to the end. There is so much I still want to learn and much to improve.

Catchup

Since the start of the new year I was slowing down with the pushups / situps requirements as I'm trying to get my shoulder healed. No it is time to rebuild the muscles without getting injured again. Slowly but surely I will catch up with the numbers and be were I need to be.

I'm posting my numbers to date (and were I was supposed to be in order to achieve the goal at the end of the year):
Pushups 1,630 (2,958)
Situps 1,780 (2,958)
MK form 65 (59)
Bokken form 81 (59)
Sparring 20 (59)
Running 34 (59)

Weapons

I've chosen the bokken as my first weapon this year. I have few moves I've constructed into a sequence and I've been practising it for the last 2 weeks. I'm trying to watch some videos on how to use the weapon. This gives me ideas on how my form will evolve but one of my goals this year is also to get better with weapons handling. I'm planning to try different weapons throughout the year including 3 sectional staff.

Learning a weapon has been a struggle for me as I usually try to avoid experimenting "crazy" moves. This year I hope to change this and this is why I want to experiment different weapons without the pressure of creating a form for each.

Hard week

First week of the sheep and I'm working late every night - back home after 11pm, not able to train and getting little rest. It was great to end the week and be back at the kwoon on Saturday.

It is amazing how this place has become a second home and how missing classes and training hurts.

Recovering from last week might take a while as my numbers are not where they need to be but I'm setting myself a goal to get there by the end of the month.

Week 1 Numbers:
Push-ups 490
Sit-ups 490
Hand Form 16
Weapon Form 16
Sparring 0
Distance 13