Today is a pretty big milestone. 100 days on this journey. I haven’t done a great job keeping up with posting notes on here, so I need to do better at that. After 100 days of training, I feel less sore in the morning than when I started. I think I need to make sure I’m not burning the candle too short in some aspects in life. Balance. It is hard to not want to push just a bit more, as I can begin to see the kicks going just a little higher now in classes, just that little extra popping sound from my uniform. They say patience is a virtue, and ignoring that can cause setbacks and injuries. This is a longer journey than the remaining 177 days.
Today’s Workout
Theme of the day – Balance Training qualities – proper technique
Today is a learning day. I spent a lot of time lately pondering, thinking, watching, researching and learning. Not sure how to apply things I’ve learned of late, but I’m sure it will sort itself out soon. Weird last couple days, but was able to put some things aside and get in some good workouts.
Today I had to ask myself “How bad do I want this?” I think everyone has moments like this in their training or life goals. Sometimes, the outcome we are seeking changes in how valuable that is. Sometimes the amount of work we need to put into achieving that goal was underestimated. Sometimes our confidence in our own abilities gets in the way. Sometimes we need to take a hard look in the mirror and ask, “How bad do I want this?” Today, I still want this bad, and sometimes that is all the motivation I need to get up and workout, to give that last rep before muscle failure. Sometimes, however, we all need that someone out there that is rooting for us. We often will never know who’s watching and cheering. I don’t know who is still reading this blog. In some respects, all I need to know is that someone sometime might read this, and while I am ok sharing struggles on this journey, I don’t want people to see me give up. Part of this journey is for me, part is for my family who has sacrificed to allow me to do something I love, and part is for the students, to set that example for the future leaders they will become. “I want it very much”
Unity was a major theme last week at Master’s training. I found this image that resonates this idea for me. When we trained, it was important to start together, stay together, and end together. This theme continued through the mountain climb on Sunday. No one could be left behind. We were there to support and encourage each other.
We are also trying to solidify our class name this week. Each year, the master’s class chooses a name that represents them. It does seem we have various opinions on what the name should be, and apparently, we need to figure out this unity. :)
Today was a special day for multiple reasons. First, it was Easter. Second, it also happened to be my parent’s anniversary. Third, it was the climb of Turtlehead peak in Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas as part of the Master’s training. It is a total of 2.3 miles up (one way), and climbs nearly 2000 feet to the top. It is definitely not for the faint of heart. I expected the burn in my legs as we climbed, but did not take into consideration that the top of the peak is 6322 ft in elevation. I’ve never trained in high altitude before, so I can check that off my bucket list. Part way along the trail, there was a larger open area, and we all changed into uniforms for a brief workout and some group pictures. Then we all continued for the next 2-2.5 hours to the top. At the top, we again changed into uniforms for more pictures. I’ve never climbed a mountain, or even done any really serious hiking before.
Today’s image is one I took from the base of Turtlehead. We have a philosophy for each belt rank and there are two that come to mind today. At purple belt, the philosophical meaning is “Coming to the mountain. The tree is in mid growth, and now the path becomes steep”. Yup….nailed that one today. At 4th degree, the philosophical meaning is “Crest of granite mountain”. The view was impressive, mostly knowing that I (partially) got over a big fear of heights to make the climb today.
I’m looking forward to being back home, to share all the things I learned out here this week.
