Week 52 - 365 Days! 8,766 Hours! 525,949 Minutes! Seriously... It's a long time.

The Numbers (as of 11/29):

		Pushups	Crunches	Kata	Sparring	Journey (Swim)	Journey (Bike)	Journey (Run)	Kindness	Journal	Video
Annual Totals:		49,070	49,070	712	840	6	1,250	1,159	1,000	51	8
						2,415
Annual Targets:		50000	50000	1000	1000	2400			1000	56	12
Percent of Annual Targets Complete		98.14%	98.14%	71.20%	84.00%	100.62%			100.00%	91.07%	66.67%

The Numbers make me happy. It was a GREAT week for sparring courtesy of a few classmates. I feel good about the sparring. The kata, however, is going to require quite a push at the end. Finished up my acts of kindness requirement but gotta get one video a week for December. Getting there...


The Training:


What a difference some grappling makes. And by that I mean... it hurts. Haha. It never fails to amaze me the different ways we can work out and the effects it all has. I was so sore for a few days there that sneezing hurt. And grappling makes me feel like I need to put more time into strength training. 


Over the Thanksgiving holiday a small group of us met at the dojo to train. Mrs. Ruch led us in a couple short series of exercises. I kind of fear that woman :) Talking with her reminded me that it's important to diversify my workouts. Karate, should only be one part of my training and cardio shouldn't be the only other thing I put time into. Diversify. Strength. Those will be my goals in the next year, I think. 


The Rest of the Requirements:

With one month to go it seems appropriate to touch base with the other requirements. Here ya' have it:

Other Requirements/Goals
Empathy Training			Blind		Mute	✔	Wheelchair			Complete:
Read 6 books			✔ - 7 Habits	✔ - BABOK	✔ - A Call to Action	✔- Power of Now	✔ - China Study	✔ - Traditions		Complete:	✔
Seek out a Master			In contact with Marilyn Fierro; Drafted							Complete:
1 Personal Goal			Rancho Cordova Challenge - 1/2 Iron Distance (70.3) - Oct 5th							Complete:	✔
Memorize the Black Belt Pledge										Complete:
1 Community Service Project			✔ - Swings for SMA		✔ - Team w/ Robotics Club					Complete:	✔
Conquer 3 Personal Fears			Riding	✔	Scuba		Reptile	✔		Complete:
1/2 Marathon in < 1:46:00			Down to 1:50:01 so far							Complete:	X

I did some empathy training on Friday. One day mute: It was really entertaining sometimes and super frustrating sometimes. At the dojo there was a lot of laughter as we sort of charade-ed our way through a couple of hours. At the store I felt kind of rude. Not just because I couldn't say thank you (signing it wasn't helpful), but because I felt totally disconnected. At home, I just felt really bad for my dog. I think he felt disconnected.

I set a goal to get my 1/2 marathon time down to 1:46:00. Didn't even get close! But... I did shave 4:53 off my personal record. So that get's an "X." Hoping to get a scuba lesson this month but probably won't get a wheelchair day as my friend is recovering from a surgery. Profile of a master will be posted soon. It's coming together. 


The Challenges:

Kata... 


The Levels:
Motivation: Trying to ramp it up.
Next Event: December 7th - CIM Relay; January 9th - Black Belt Test

Motivation: 
This month is about getting excited for testing day. So I will work harder this month than I have in the past 12.