Please watch and enjoy.

Please watch and enjoy. Then be inspired.

5K

Remember how last year I wanted to run a 5K but lost track of time and whatever and didn't get it done? Well, I've started the Couch to 5K running program and have picked the target for my first race. So many people in my family and so many of my friends have been touched by cancer that I thought I'd not just run a race, but try to raise some money too. So much work needs to be done to beat cancer and as long as our Government is as misguided as it is, The ACS and other organizations certainly need all the help we can give them. I've e-mailed and, if you don't get e-mails from me, here's a link to my donations page. I've set kind of a lofty goal, but I'd certainly like to raise more than that if possible.

Sorry...

Haven't been blogging - been getting out of my comfort zone. I should be working on Forms but I'm not and I don't even feel bad. I've been working with a trainer two days a week and am currently rocking a four day streak of cardio workouts. I've done two-thirds of Week One of the Couch to 5K program with my eye on running the Race for the Cure in Madison in May. I feel good. I still wish I was 80 pounds lighter, but I feel good.

Peace be with you.

Yes, yes...

My perspective on training right now is that TKD is my favorite physical activity. The need for more physical activity means I need to do more of my favorite things. TKD. The trainer even said I could bring in some focus pads. I doubt he'll mind escrima sticks either. I have to do what I like doing, right? I agree.

C'est La Vie!

Life! That wonderful thing that kind of gets in the way of what really matters. Right now I don't know for 100% sure that I'll get a black belt in TKD, well ever, but I know that I am in control of my training. To that end, I met with a personal trainer (FREE!) today and made a commitment to invest in myself, my health and my martial art. He showed me crunches, I showed him stances and kicks. I expect it to go swimmingly.

Unfortunately the Gods of Army are not looking favorably on my black belt journey. We may move away from my school before I can attain black belt. It will be unfortunate, but the belt is merely a symbol of the mindset. I can achieve martial arts success and fitness on my own with or without a test to prove it. Wish me luck!

Must...stop...wasting...time....

There, kids, is my Dilbert impression. I don't even have an excuse. I would have had time. I woke up with the motivation so my bag was not only packed but in the car. And yet... I didn't make it to the gym. GRRRRR.....

What pushes you on?

Visualization

So I went to the gym yesterday and hopped on the elliptical trainer. I really love the elliptical. I feel like I'm working my whole body and I know that my whole body needs work! After a few minutes, I put on my iPod and listened to some tunes. Then, I thought I'd give this whole visualization thing a try. So I closed my eyes. It felt a little weird plugging away on the elliptical with my eyes closed but then the vision came. There I was in a gi. I had on a white tope and black pants - a privilege reserved for senior students only (the way training used to be). I was kneeling - exhausted - in front of my instructors but facing away from them. Dripping with sweat, breathing heavily, anxious but satisfied; I awaited my results. They were in. Paul told me to stand up and face the panel - the board of instructors scoring the test. Nervous, I summoned the strength and will to stand and face them. Mr. Sharp and Mr. Gordon smiled and handed me my black belt. It felt amazing. That feeling burns in me today. I like it. I am focusing on that and letting it push me onward. I wish I could go to the gym again today. I will go tomorrow. Those 45 minutes on the elliptical yesterday were awesome.

Yup! Another blog!

Join me as I prepare for my Black Belt test in Tae Kwon Do next year. I'll be writing about training, fitness and preparing mentally for the journey ahead to my black belt test and beyond.

What is Kuan-Ti? Here's a definition from Answers.com.

Kuan Ti

(East Asian mythology)

The god of war in Confucian tradition. A popular figure in Chinese folklore, Kuan Ti was a leading general during the period of disunity known as San Kuo, the Three Kingdoms (221–65). He is not, however, a Mars figure, warlike and implacable, but rather the god who prevents war. As Kuan Yu, a massive man, nine feet in height, with a beard two feet long, a ruddy complexion, and eyebrows like sleeping silkworms shading his phoenix eyes, which were a scarlet-red, he took up arms in the complicated civil war because he wished ‘to pay the state his debt of loyalty and give peace to his black-haired compatriots’. Ts'ao Ts'ao, the deposer for the last Han Emperor and the architect of discord, had once said: ‘I would rather betray the whole world than let the world betray me.’

Kuan Yu was killed by the Sun, a powerful clan established at Ch'eng-tu. Yet his valour and courtesy were a standing rebuke to his contemporaries, then engaged in treachery and violence. The apotheosis of his cult occurred in 1594 when the throne conferred on him the title of Ti, great supporter of heaven and protector of the empire. Kuan Ti had become the divine champion, always ready to intervene against all those who disturb the peace—rebels, sorcerers, demons, and foreigners.

In a nutshell, Kuan-ti is perceived by the noble classes in China as a God of War but the common people consider him a god of protection. I like this because it demonstrates the classic dichotomy of martial arts. While I like to beat some ass now and then, the reason I study martial arts and encourage the study of martial arts by everyone is because of the self-confidence that it brings and the firm belief that I am capable of protecting myself if the need arises. I enjoy the tradition, the ritual and the discipline every bit as much as I enjoy sparring. I am looking forward to deepening my knowledge of the history of Tae Kwon Do specifically and martial arts in general in the coming year.