2007 Workout #3: Flensing the body until only kumite remains…

Tonight was a *really* hard workout. It all started with 7 Sochin before class, which has caused me to overshoot the 2100 mark by two kata. This is a Good Thing. That was followed by a pretty great bit of sparring with , wherein he basically used me as a living punching bag. To a much lesser extent, I did the same thing to him.

Most people have some difficulty understanding this, but I actually enjoy getting the crap beat out of me. It teaches me how to take shots (even if they are controlled) and it makes me learn to deal with it in a constructive manner. On the flipside, however, it is a little tough on the ol’ carapace.

The class tonight was kicked off with a boatload of stretching and strengthening, followed by a very good class on learning to move in stance with some resistance. The second class was a great deal of sparring again. I was running out of gas in a big way during the second class, but that didn’t stop me from giving a few good shots.

After class, and I were discussing the measurable part of the goal for this year, and Sensei Brewer offered the advice that I need to get lower in my sparring stance and work on driving from the center. I need to figure out a way to stay low but maintain my speed and mobility, which has always been a somewhat tall order from me. It will be a valuable skill to attain, so that is going on the list of things to work on this year.

Unfortunately, that in itself is not much more measurable than regular sparring so we’re still on the hunt for something measurable. But I am going to work on that aspect of my sparring this year all the same.

---

Sochin Counter
Accomplished / Goal == Percent Complete
2102 / 2000 == 105.10%
Average Kata per Workout: 16.05
Estimated Workouts Remaining: 0
Workouts that gained more than 1%: 43
Workouts that gained more then 5%: 2