Karate 122

I was very happy to get our blue belts (finally) today in class, thanks to Sensei Tony Baller for bringing them out. Today’s class was tough physically. We did lots of stretching, pushups, crunches, leg raises and other core exercises alternating with basics practice such as kicks, and walking. One of the practices we use is to do an x pattern, which just means you turn and face different directions while practicing blocks, kicks, and punches on each turn. Your feet trace out an x pattern on the floor as opposed to basic kata which traces out an H pattern.

I still have a long way to go, but I am happy with the improvement in my kicks. Few things are more satisfying than kicking properly and knowing you did it right. You just feel it. Later we practiced Aoyagi which means bending willow and it is a woman’s kata developed by our founder. I’m not sure if it was Itosu Sensei or Mabuni Sensei.

But I sure feel like every last glycogen molecule has been sucked out of my muscles and burnt because I feel pretty limp right now. No more fuel reserves left in me. No more anything until Saturday’s 16 km 5Peaks Trail Race.

Think I’ll take an aspirin.