2007 Workout #1: Return to the Land of Limb Pain…

Tonight was the start of a new year of karate and a new year of karate related goals. The goal for 2007 is simple. Get strong, tougher, and better at kumite (free sparring).

Luckily, provided us a tough first workout… calesthenics interlaced with basic technique, followed by partner training to work on conditioning the limbs. Of course, not seeing the oncoming train I elected to spar with my Dad, one of the most substantial and crazy people in the dojo with which to clash limbs.

I too got a strong indication that my shin injury is not fully healed. My Dad put a downward block right on the same spot tonight and it felt like it wreathed all the bone marrow in my lower leg in fire despite the fact that I was wearing a shin and instep pad. Happily, it went away quickly and I didn’t have any adverse effects for the rest of the workout.

Before class, and I sparred a bit. I know this is going to happen much more this year, we each scored our own good shots. I was a little more mobile tonight than I expected given a week off which was good. I also continued to attack with much more confidence, once I was able to land an attack purely because I continued attacking. That was a nice confidence builder.

We’re still working on a good measurement for tracking the progress this year, hopefully there will be more on this soon.