Always Up For a Good Fight

On Saturday, I'm scheduled to compete in a Tae Kwon Do tournament against a bunch of other "old" ladies, and I've been doing mental prep all week. You see, I don't take competition lightly. In fact, anyone that knows me will tell you that I play to win.

Whoever said that 'winning isn't important' I think probably spent a lot of time losing. I refuse to teach my children that learning is the most important lesson learned in competition. It's not. Sure, it's important to learn from both our failures and our successes, but, when it comes to competition, winning is success. That said, my goal this weekend is to sweep all three events: forms, breaking, & sparring.

Earlier this year, I competed in another TKD tournament, but I only competed in two events: breaking and sparring. I won both then, so I figure I should have a good shot at winning all three this time around. I'm entering this tournament as a senior blue belt, which means I could compete with green, blue, brown, or red belt competitors. As a competitor in the Senior Women's Division, I figure I have 2 things going for me: speed and power. I also have 2 things working against me: height and a bum left knee.

I am lucky to be on the young end of my age group since most women over 30 have lost a bit of speed. I spent a little time watching real sparring on youtube to pick up some pointers. Most people tend to stand there when the center judge tells you to start fighting, so my strategy has been to be explosive from the beginning. I figure the fight is over if I can get 3 quick points in before my opponent is really even ready (rule: first to 3 points or 2 minute fight). I won last tournament with this strategy, so I'll let you know if it serves me well.

Here's some real fighters in case you're curious what it's like.

Six Belts Down, Six To Go

I tested for my blue belt on Friday, and I am still sore from the test (and practice the day before). I passed the test, so that leaves me with 6 belt tests to get my black belt. However, because testing periods after your blue belt are 4 to 6 months apart, it will probably take me about 2 years, depending on my progress.

I'm having a great time doing Tae Kwon Do. Not since my soccer days had I felt truly athletically challenged and motivated to continue with something. When I played soccer I considered myself a technique specialist. By that I mean that I relied, above all else, on my technique. I'm only 4'11", so I obviously could not rely on my size. Instead, I focused on making sure I mastered every technique and was quicker than most opponents.

Fortunately, Tae Kwon Do is all about technique and quickness. So far, I have been able to keep up with my belt requirements with no additional practice time or exercise time. Unfortunately, I think this honeymoon period is coming to an end. As you might expect, testing requirements for belts increase as you move up, that includes physical fitness. Compared to my fitness level 6 months ago, I am much more fit. Yet, compared to where I need to be, I have a ways to go.

James has been great about making himself available so I can get to class, but it's about to get harder. I started preparing him the other day when I mentioned that I will have to go to more classes and for longer periods when I'm training for my black belt. He said it was fine as long as I afforded him the same liberty. I'm holding out hope that Jameson will be able to focus for a whole class soon, so I can just take him with me. Well, that's still a long way off.

I'll keep you posted on my progress. Sorry, no pictures this time.

You Might Be Surprised to Know . . .

that I do Tae Kwon Do. I started it way back before I was pregnant with the twins as a way of losing my baby weight from Jameson, but I had to take a break once I found out Truman & Amelia were on their way.  I am currently a green belt, which is considered an intermediate rank.  I have several belts to go to get to black, so I'm not exactly a lethal weapon - yet.  Nonetheless, with the comparatively small amount of technique I know, I could probably do a lot of damage to an unsuspecting mugger.  I don't ever want to be jumped, but I am just waiting for the day that I can use my "skills".

I was going to make this blog about the tournament I was in this past weekend, but writing about being jumped reminded me of a funny story that I thought was worth sharing.  

Let me preface this story by saying that I am pretty paranoid when it comes to safety, so I would say that I tend to be more on guard than the average person.

Several months after starting Karate, I was on my way home with just enough time to change and head out to class.  At the time, Jameson was our only child, so James normally took care of him by himself while I was gone.  On this particular evening, I was in a big enough rush that I believe I left my car running and the garage door open.

I ran upstairs, got dressed, and I started to head out the door.  However, just as I am getting to the door that leads to our garage, I see that someone starts to open it.  I remember that I left the garage door, and a tiny bit of fear enters my mind.  I am within a step of the door, so I quickly kick the door closed and press up against it to lock it.  I assume someone is trying to take advantage of my open garage to come into my house.  I yell, "Hey, who is it?".  I hear, "uh, uh. . . ", so I assume the worst - that this creep was trying to get into my house and was not prepared to answer my question.  Appalled at his boldness but more angry than scared, I yell, "Get the @#$! outta here you weirdo!".  I am shocked that he continues to try to open the door.  I am already planning the beating that I will impart . . .  with my Karate skills of course.

Then I hear what sounds like a familiar voice, and I'm slightly embarrassed thinking that it might be someone I know.  Sure enough, I hear, "It's Kip & Clara.".   I open the door, smile, and apologize.  It was my mother-in-law & brother-in-law.  We all had a good laugh.  

Apparently, my husband was expecting them, but he failed to warn me about it.  I wasn't exactly expecting them to come through my garage door.  I am certain that I threw in a few more expletives than I included above, but you get the point.  I think I still kinda freak out my brother-in-law, just a little.

So . . . don't show up to my house unannounced or I may just save that beating I planned for you.