Week 11 - Thinking About Acts of Kindness

Another week down. I'm late on this entry but squeezing it in. Here we go.

The numbers: 

		Push-ups	Sit-ups	Kata	Sparring	Swim	Bike	Run	Kindness	Journal	Video
Annual Totals:		11,250	11,250	222	70	0	222	244	223	10	0
						466
Annual Targets:		50000	50000	1000	1000	2400			1000	52	12
Percent of Annual Targets Complete		22.50%	22.50%	22.20%	7.00%	19.42%			22.30%	19.23%	0.00%

I feel good about my numbers. I'm staying consistent and some things are starting to get easier. I'm pushing a bigger gear on the bike now so I can go further faster and my average speed is up a bit. That's encouraging since the bike portion of a 1/2 iron is 56 miles. I need to start getting some swimming mileage in. It'll be a very slow build-up so I have to get that figured out. Sparring... Well, I'm getting the rounds in when I can and they hurt every time. Need to get myself to the dojo on Saturdays to get that number up.

Now on to the part of the test that's been on my mind lately. Acts of Kindness. It's been on my mind because... Well, there are a couple reasons. For one, I've noticed that when I explain to someone all the things I have to do for this test, acts of kindness often turns heads (the other one is empathy training). 

People can wrap their heads around the push-ups and sit-ups and mileage and sparring pretty easily because that's all physical stuff. They get the association there. But they don't see the bridge. That bridge that martial arts builds between strength and compassion. And that's okay, but I hope we can change it. Because, really, acts of kindness are a huge part of being a martial artist. 

The second reason it's been on my mind is because people tend to ask what constitutes an act of kindness. Well, just about anything kind, really. That's what's so great about it. It can be a small gesture like opening a door for someone. Or it can be grand gesture like donating a chunk of cash. It can be picking up a piece of trash, sharing your last stick of gum, smiling at a stranger, or it can be driving across town to pick up a friend. I read an article that said, "Next time you're out walking about, you may want to give passers-by a smile, or at least a nod. Recent research reveals that these tiny gestures can make people feel more connected." That's pretty cool, and pretty kind. You should so try it! 



I've noticed that being conscious about kindness is also making me notice them more when they're offered to me. And that it just feels plain good to be nice. In an interesting way I've noticed that it gives me confidence, also. Maybe because of that connection theory? I'm not sure. Either way, I like it. And I'm glad it's part of the test... Not just because it's an easy part :)

Week 10 - Rekindling My Motivation

So, I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about my karate journey. We talked about my test, the criteria, we talked about how I feel I'm doing. And then we talked about why it's important to me. And it made me realize that my journal posts feel... removed. So I'm going to do something different here and see how it feels...

The numbers are just the start, so you know where I am. Here they are:

		Push-ups	Sit-ups	Kata	Sparring	Swin	Bike	Run	Kindess	Journal	Video
Annual Totals:		9,450	9,450	183	50	0	164	215	191	8	0
						379
Annual Targets:		50000	50000	1000	1000	2400			1000	52	12
Percent of Annual Targets Complete		18.90%	18.90%	18.30%	5.00%	15.81%			19.10%	15.38%	0.00%

I feel good about my numbers, but still feel very challenged lately. I've averaged about 5.5 miles a day for the last 70 days. Not too bad, right? Except that I was reminded this week just how different long distance cardio is from sparring cardio. In a lot of ways triathlon training is overlapping well with my black belt requirements. Still, there's nothing that trains you for sparring except for sparring.  But...starting in week 11 I will add 3 rounds of heavy bag work to the end of each trainer ride. That will help, I hope.

So, my numbers are, for the most part, right where they should be.  But here's the thing... The numbers are just a representation. Not of fitness, but of desire. Those numbers are my way of showing discipline, purpose, determination. The numbers show that by achieving small things each day a larger goal can be reached. And then that gets me thinking... Why? Why does a black belt matter? 

And I'm so glad for that conversation with my friend, because thinking about the "why" is what gets me really motivated. I've mentioned before, this "ah hah" moment I had in my martial arts training. The reason I love martial arts? Here it is... You must be kind. I played soccer growing up and achieved some pretty awesome stuff doing it. To be a good soccer player I had to have good ball control, strong fitness, tactical creativity, practice A LOT, etc.. But you can be a world class soccer player... and be just plain unkind.To be a true, a real martial artist, you HAVE to be a good person. Martial arts creates relationships between athleticism and community, between strength and compassion, between fierceness and kindness, that do not exist in any other sport. Real martial arts fosters true and constant growth. 

And THAT'S why I'm willing to do 150 darn push-ups a day! That's why I'm dreaming of cyclometers and new running shoes! That's why I'm logging ACTS OF KINDNESS! This test is my way of showing that I want to be THAT martial artist. The kind that trains in the martial and nurtures the art. I absolutely need to keep that in mind as I do this. That's the stuff that motivates me. 

I lost track for a while, of what those numbers are really for. I will try not to let that happen again. I am humbled by the ability the people in my life have to pick me up and point me in the right direction. Thank you.

Week 9 - Hello February

Okay, another week down. It was a good week all around. I'm in a pretty consistent routine when it comes to push-ups sit-ups and kata. I can get it all in on my breaks at work pretty much. Still concerned with my sparring and not getting in the amount of rounds I need per week. Mileage was good. Got closer to the 200 mile mark for the month of January and I've got almost 350 total so far. Steadily logging acts of kindness, too.


I'm spending a lot of time thinking about sparring. Not just that I'm not getting enough rounds in, but actual sparring. I am trying to angle more. And working on moving into the attack. Need to work on targeting the head, also. I like my sidekicks but I need to get some more techniques working. Sparring is a real challenge for me. So much of it is mental agility.

Did some review of those katas that seem to have fallen out of my head over the last couple of months. I realized that focusing on one kata at a time is great for details but I have to continue to touch base with the others. Kata is my thing, I love kata. And the more I repeat a kata the more I love it. It's a thing that I get to work on and improve every time. I wonder if/when I will ever perfect a kata. 

I've also started working on my first video entry. A few clips of different training elements: running, cycling, sparring... my dog laying on the couch while I do kata in the living room... 

This test is teaching me all the things I've accumulated over the last few years of training. I think when you're learning day-to-day you don't realize how much you gain. When you start to put it all in one place you see how much it is. It's like studying for a big exam and realizing that the CliffsNotes aren't gonna cut it. There's no short cut to this. You just have to do it.

But it comes full circle. Push-ups every day. Sit-ups every day. Kata every day. Mileage every day. Kindness every day. The study guide for this test is a whole lot of push-ups and sit-ups. The lesson so far... little numbers do, and will, add up to great, big 5-digit numbers. You know... Eventually...

Week 8 - SO Much Room for Improvement

So, one of the things that I really enjoy about martial arts is how my goal is a moving target. I've always embraced that whether I'm 4 years into my training or 14 years, there will always be room for improvement. 1,000 repetitions of kata, 10,000 repetitions of kata. There will still be room for improvement. What I learned this past week is that there will always be SO much room for improvement. Like, TONS of room! 

What I learned this week is that the saying, "A black belt is a white belt that never gave up," is feeling very true. I feel like a white belt this week. Like a white belt who knows some katas and gets to spar. I'm okay with that, it's not a bad feeling, it's an exhausting feeling. But I'll use it as motivation. 

I say all this, because for the first time in my training, I am experiencing ... Forgetfulness? I've never had to ask for a refresher on kata until now. I'm focusing so much on Seisan that I haven't spent enough time visiting the others the way I'm used to. Well, now I know I can't do that anymore. And sparring... just SO much room for improvement there. Sometimes I feel like a pinball. 

I'm okay knowing that I have a ton of hard work to do. ButI have to admit, I'm intimidated by the fact that I'm feeling it so... in my face... right now, as I test for my black belt. To combat that feeling I tell myself that, "A black belt is a white belt that never gave up," and still has lots of room on the obe for stripes. A black belt won't make me a master of anything. It will make me someone whose determination and hard work can be, in some literal and measurable way, seen. 

Week 7 - I Can Train Harder

Another week down. Team Getty ran our first 1/2 marathon of the year this past Saturday. It was the hardest race I've ever done. Ever. It was in Pacifica, a trail run, 3100 feet of climbing... I hurt. I've been consistent with my workouts, like, for years, and especially these last two weeks. So, I shouldn't be sore, right? But I am, I'm that kind off sore where I'm walking funny and flinching when my dog jumps on my lap. 

Basically what that tells me is that even if I'm training hard, I can train harder. And at the same time I have to pace myself. So...

I'm gonna increase my little weekday trainer rides from 6 to 8 miles. I'm also determined to do 10 squats a day. Just 10, nothing that I'll keep track of or anything, but I've got to work on my muscular endurance and my burst strength. To go with that I want to start focusing on angling more when I'm sparring. I have too much forward and backward movement. I need to angle more, especially defensively. I really feel like my sparring needs something more. 

I'm enjoying the attention to detail that kata brings. I like feeling that I'm improving the details. Kata has always been more my thing than sparring. I like the element of kata that allows for continual improvement. 

Still need to get on the reading thing. Have plans to conquer my scuba fear next month. Almost to the 2 month mark and that feels like a mini-milestone. Feeling good about things. 

Week 6 - Back in the Saddle

And by saddle I mean the one on my bicycle. It's not a comfortable saddle. At all. Nonetheless, I'm glad to be getting my cycling legs back in motion. 

This week felt good. It is really nice to be back in the dojo. Had a good week mileage wise. I got a few short rides in during the week and some short runs/walks. Have a usual Sunday run in the morning. We will start building our Sunday mileage up next month but keeping it to  6 miles for now. I'm also really glad to get some numbers in the sparring column of my tracker. Sensei was more than happy to help with that once I voiced some concern about being behind. I'm still behind, but not stressing it yet.

It's been interesting revisiting Seizan kata and adding another layer of details. Every step, every movement has a purpose. Have to complete one move before you start the next. It's a great way to force yourself to be totally present in what you're doing. That's always been my favorite thing about kata. It's one of the few things I do where it's easy to just focus on what I'm doing and not let any other thoughts sneak in. My brain is calm during kata. 

Another highlight about this week is that the constant soreness in my shoulders from the pushups is going away. Also, got the ball rolling on my community service project idea. Need to be reading more. All-in-all I feel good about this week. Being back in the dojo feels fantastic! 

Week 5 - Time to Focus on... Focus

So 5 weeks behind me now. And a whole lot more in front of me. My numbers are looking okay. They're not great, but they're not absent, and I'm just going to choose to feel good about that for right now. There has been a lot going on in the last 6 weeks, personally, professionally, and in terms of my test. So I think I need to spend the next couple of weeks focusing on focus. 

I've been away from the dojo for various reasons, then tac on time away for the holidays. It would have been really easy to just skip out on my day-to-day activities. And on some days I did, on some days I sort of did, and on some days I refused to. And at this point, like I said, I'm choosing to be okay with all of that. A lot of this past 5 weeks has been a very solo time, martial arts wise. So far my test has been a sort of conversation between me and my martial arts, and some real reminders and/or conversations from my Sensei. 

I feel like I'm in shape. I feel glad to have that as a foundation to stand on while I do this crazy thing. I feel like I'm being pushed even harder. Like... I was a solid brown belt back in November. In December I became a black belt candidate and that changed things. I feel Sensei pushing harder when we spar, calling out all the details when we run kata, calling us in for extra workouts. I feel my own workouts meaning a bit more. 

I'm looking forward to going into January with a goal to work on my focus. I want to take things one at a time, concentrate on each of the things I do in single parts. Like when we do kata, every move comes to completion before the next one starts.