I need to be better at updating this blog. I wanted it to show my path to black belt, but it's starting to look more like stepping stones :) Speaking of stones (milestones that is), I had a first back on Monday. I ran 2 miles. Well maybe jog would be the better verb, but I didn't walk. I did the first mile in 11 min 45 sec and the second ( Read more... )

Back on Tuesday I had a very long work day.  It started at 3:15am, but I was done in time to get to my Kobudo class and even get a run in before hand.  I gave my self permission to take the run easy.  My time was 11 minutes.  Not too bad.  I usually get a small stich in my side during the first half mile, but that didn't happen.  I also felt ( Read more... )

My leg feels great, but I haven't been running since Thursday's class.  Worked through weekend and as of right now, 5 am, I'm sitting at University of WI Hospital waiting for a part that was scheduled to arrive at 4am.  Where is it?  I have been doing sit ups.  With my feet tucked under the couch I can do 53 without stopping.  65 doesn't seem that ( Read more... )

I got another candidate class under my belt (pun intended). Well at least half a class. Work got in the way. FYI to my co-workers: Make sure the security tab is pushed out on the flex before you align the reagent loader. Oh well, live and learn. I got to class just at the end of the first part i.e. just before the 1 mile run. I clocked my ( Read more... )

Last night's class was run by Mr. Larson.  During the stretching portion of the class he asked if there was anything anyone wanted to work on.  Recently I believe I have been getting sloppy on my stances.  So I suggested we do some stance work.  He had us standing in one spot and we would go to a back stance, shift to a front stance, then to a ( Read more... )

We had a candidate class yesterday at the Fitchburg school.  Here the run is first.  It's a nice route.  They are on the outside of an oval drive.  We cross the street to the inside of the oval so the only traffic we need to worry about is from the driveways.  The mile is 2 laps.  My split time was 4:50.  That was the first time I ever was able to ( Read more... )

I was in Bismarck, ND for work this past Monday and Tuesday.  I was helping out a co-worker, Leland Tuck.  He studies karate and invited me to his class.  I had a great time.  They were very welcoming.  It was a small class.  Sensi, a brown belt with some stripes, Leland, and I.  We worked on forms.  They learn 29 forms during their journey to ( Read more... )

The running is going well.  I still haven't gotten to that 20 minute non stop run.  I ran for 13 minutes last Saturday before class.  I ran for 11 minutes during a 2 hour class in Bismarck, ND on Monday.   I ran the mile route around the school last night in 10:45.  This was right after class.  A class in which we did a lot of locking out our kicks ( Read more... )

I kept trying to come back and my leg always started to hurt again.   I went through the stages of grief, Denial - by coming back to soon, Anger - at myself for being hurt, Bargaining - I take 2 days off and then take class…ok 3 days off,  Depression - How did I ever think I could do this.  I’ll never be able to pass the black belt test, and ( Read more... )

Left calf muscle still sore, but a lot better.  Performed in the Albertfest demo on 7/10 and strained it again ( Read more... )