2005 Workout #113: What not to do after 5 hours of paintball…

I came into tonight’s workout handicapped by five hours of paintballing it up with the section at work. I came home from that, and proceeded to lay on my bed for 15 minutes after washing the sand off of my arms. I knew I wasn’t going to be on time for the first class starting, because I didn’t even get home until quarter after six and I was filthy.

I got there and warm-ups kind’ve melded into basics. I happened to get in line in front of , who has clearly made it much further down the path of taking the middle out of techniques. His foot sweep punch combination was sickeningly fast. We got through with that pretty well, I was able to enjoy some of the kicking combinations and I found that I love the feeling my body makes when I throw a nice snappy round kick.

The second class consisted of rapid fire Heian and Tekki kata, followed by the command to get pads and mouthguards. I was taking too long to find my mouthguard, which happens frequently. My Dad was giving me a hard time about this and I was still looking for a partner. I yelled back and asked my Dad if he needed a partner, and Sensei Brewer chimed in with “nope!” as he lined up in front of me.

Thoughts that collided in my mind simultaneously: oh crap, its only 5 til 8… oh crap, I’m wasted from playing paintball all day, oh crap, its 3-5 time attack. These thoughts were quietly dispersed by the little voice in my head that tells me that it has enough fuel in the tank to withstand a quick burn for a little bit. A few level breaths and I was ready to get rolling.

I’m starting to notice little things about sparring with Sensei Brewer. His ability to target an attack is phenomenal… every time he comes in, he’s using the concept that has gleaned: get off the line quickly, know your attack is going to ruinate their day and GO TAKE IT. I was handling things relatively well most of the time sparring, and after a bit the rabies had taken over and I was able to get some stuff through.

After a few exchanges, Sensei got that sparkle in his eye and the smile that makes me know that I’m not sucking up the place and he’s having fun. At one point, I decided to try a punch, foot sweep, punch combination that he often gets me with. I sold the punch with as much might as I could muster, then came around with the sweep. What… Sensei’s stance moved off-center a little… I can’t recall if the third punch came out, or if a kick did, but I was just very astounded that this actually did SOMETHING. Sweeps never do anything for me, let alone across from Sensei Brewer!

I think here is the point that I may have verbalized “I’m sorry.” Sensei said that it was fine and that I hadn’t done any wrong, but I don’t think he realized that I was apologizing to my own body because I knew it was in for something. Sure enough, the very next exchange Sensei got me moving backwards and did the most beautiful rear leg sweep that I’ve ever been on the receiving end of. It took both feet right out from under me as gently as possible. I noticed I was up in the air for long enough to remember to tuck my head, and I landed across my rolled back. I popped right back up, only slightly worse for the wear. Sensei made doubly sure that I was OK, and I was.

A few more exchanges later I landed part of a back kick and another combination or two, which I consider a great success for the night. I glance over at the clock and it is 8:20. I had been sparring with Sensei straight for twenty minutes. He decided to rotate around and play with Mike-san and for the rest of the class. I am always humbled when I am able to get some time like this working directly with Sensei.

I LOVE sparring. It makes me feel alive, it pushes my skills further, and it is the reason I love karate so much. If my body could take it, I would spar the way I did tonight every class for the rest of my life.

Working like we did tonight really drives home the duality of martial arts: you feel proud for what you can accomplish but humbled by the skills of your instructors at the same time. You get a learning experience along with the understanding that there is a nearly incomprehensible amount of knowledge about karate out there to know. You feel strength and weakness existing within yourself in the same space.

These things are what I love about karate.These things are what I love about karate.