Sunday, March 16, 2008

Mo, my training partner

Posted by BlackBeltBound

I've been training with Mo since I joined LaVallee's. We usually get together about an hour before class and occasionally after class as well. I expect that I'll be training with Mo right up to getting my Black Belt. I don't think I could get through a class without Mo. My kicks are higher, my punches stronger, my horse stance lower and my belly slaps faster when I train with Mo. I'll tell ya, Mo (otherwise known as Motrin) is the best training partner a guy pushing 50 could ask for.

When I first started training I thought the various aches and pains were just from being previously inactive. Then came the injury in my calf muscle. I learned to stretch my calves well before class. Then came the pain in my right shoulder and arm. Not too much I can do about that. Then the hamstring pull. More new stretches. I'm battling a pain in my right knee. I have no idea where that came from. It just hurts but doesn't stop me from training.

There was a point where I didn't think my body would allow me to make it to Black Belt. After having a conversation with Sensei, I have the confidence that I can do it and confidence in him to get me there. I love going to class and perform all the drills with all my effort and energy. I just need to up my commitment to my training outside of class.

I've noticed improvements since starting my training. I can do 50 jumping jacks without feeling like I'm going to die. I remember the first time we had to jog around the floor and shuffle side to side and realized how out of shape I really was. What was supposed to be a warm up nearly killed me. I'm able to keep up now but certainly need to boost my cardio and flexibility training. I would love to have more flexibility ( it would make those kicks a lot easier!) and more cardio stamina.

And that's one of the reasons that I took up the challenge of co-authoring this blog. I'm trying to find a way of bringing the lessons learned in the dojo into my everyday life. At this point the most important lesson to embrace is that Champions fall down seven times and get up eight.

With Mo's help, I'll keep getting up.
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1 comment:

BBat50 said...

To BlackBeltBound - All of us, of a certain age, have been in-and-out of shape and struggled to ignore, comeback from, or wait-out injuries.

Persistence, and when your body allows it, full intensity will get you there. Also, mo and a sense of humor. Hang in there.