2 weeks in Rhodes did not do my fitness any good, lashings of cold beer, mountains of good food, one or two fags (dirty horrid things) and a total lack of exercise has rendered me bloated, wheezy and very lethargic. It is astonishing how quickly any semblance of conditioning can drop off when you is over 40. However that particular Greek Odyssey has now been consigned to the History book that is Bookface and a new mini chapter begins.
The push for second Dan in December is under way and much needs to be done to be ready. Pressure is off a little considering I set my target of 1st Dan black belt by time I was 50, so to be a couple fo years ahead of schedule is a bonus. The threat that the rigours of time present is still very much a lurking factor in all this of course, but generally my abused body is feeling ok, knees are holding up, hips only complain a bit and my strength and fitness can all be worked on. So if all the Gods (plural, best not to anger any by missing them out) are smiling down upon me then I should be ready by December.
When it came Shodan (1st Dan) did mean a lot, an awful lot. The sense of achievement was massive, but pushing for that next grade is now what matters. Not many people get to Black belt, but of those that do even less manage 2nd Dan or higher. It will be a sign of commitment , that this is now integral to my life, that Karate is in me bones. Even when those previously mentioned rigours make the decision that I cannot commit 100% physically to the art, my mind and spirit will continue and I really want to have at least 2 stripes on my black belt before the knees go pop.
The new chapter started last weekend, Friday to be precise. I had previously hoovered the Tatami a couple of times on a Saturday morning so all Karate Ka’s could train without any tiny bits of ‘Stuff’ sticking to their feet, but as I had the day off I felt it might be time to offer to mop/scrub the Tatami. This proved to be quite the work out….
It doesn’t sound much, flopping a mop round the room for an hour but so that it is done properly, and all those hours of blood sweat and tears are cleaned from the matts in readiness for the following weeks efforts, it affords a goodly amount of elbow grease.
To hoover and properly mop a Tatami the size of SDSMA’s takes minimum of 3 hours, indeed much longer when done solo.
It was a very satisfying thing to do and one that I think a lot of Martial Artistes these days do not appreciate. The Dojo is a sacred place and should be treated as such, with care and devotion. The cleanliness didnt last long however, during a Krav Maga class I was part of on the Saturday a chap split the bottom of his foot open and spilled claret all over the place so I had to clean some of it again….. inconsiderate bastard .
Anyway, training proper started last Thursday, but we wont mention that one. Friday was cleaning as mentioned above and Saturday was an hour of Kumite, 1 of Karate and then 1 hour of Krav Maga. This was wrapped up with an hour’s Kata on Sunday, by which time I ached somewhat. Loved every minute of it though and am hoping very much that this sort of schedule can be kept up for the next 5 months. Best I get a sacrifice ready for those Gods, hope they all manage to find this on the tinterweb, might need some divine intervention to keep this up….
Kick boxing tonight ? mmmmmaybe