Feeling fine

It's amazing what a bit of exercise does for you, started the day feeling really tired and run down but made sure I got on the treadmill at lunchtime as it was in my plan, 30 mins later being very hot and sweaty I did feel really good and its carried on for the rest of the day. Off out really early for a bike ride tomorrow so its bound to rain!

Hot and sweaty

Been a good couple of days, managed to work from home for a bit which has allowed me to catch up on stuff, I was also able to spend a bit of time going through my patterns, looking at some of the meanings of the patterns and also getting some good phys in as well.

In parallel have been getting a little bit stressed with work and it has been bleeding out so was really glad to have a good blast tonight as it is always a great stress reliever. My mind is a bit blank at the minute so well sign off until later tomorrow.

Getting into a groove

Past couple of days have been pretty standard to date, did my cardio yesterday and brought in the next set of chest exercises, which were very tough, may consider bringing a couple of them into the circuit I need to plan out. Training was good last night as I had the opportunity to take a small group of students through the basic applications of the moves within Yul Gok. The purpose was to give the less experienced members of the school a visualisation of the moves so that they could work on that mind, body connection I mentioned last week. Masters was a continuation of the pain and pressure points we started looking at last week. I think I forgot to mention in my blog that last Monday we were running through pressure points and Master Olpin wanted to show a combination of strikes on connecting pressure points. He used me as his demo dolly and in rapid succession struck a combination of pressure points quite lightly but repeatedly, as he was then talking to the rest of the class I suddenly realised that I had been effected by the strikes and just as I piped up with a "...Sir!" my feet started moving and my balance went out! So not a bad demo dolly as the demo showed the real effects of even light strikes.

Feeling a bit stuffed at the minute as I got the girls a portion of chips as a treat for their tea and the chips they left I ended up snaffling (only a few mind :))

Really good end to the week

This weekend has been pretty good all round really, yesterday was a bit of a mixture of massive frustration and near computercide and then a trip up the motorway for a family get together.The only downside being that I hadn't eaten any dinner as I thought there was going to be plenty of food and the reality was a pretty limited buffet that didn't come out until 9pm and had to feed over 60 people.

Not to worry though today was a cracking day, started off with about 1 min lie in as the kids don't have a setting to turn their clocks back and then got on with my monthly fitness test. Was really happy with the results, which I have posted on the Academy forum, and it just set the rest of the day up as a good one. Had my mum and sister (plus kids) over for Eleanors family party and had decided after such a good performance on the fitness test to just have a day off from healthy eating, but I have to admit I feel like I have eaten my entire monthly salt allowance in one afternoon.

One thing I haven't mentioned in these blogs so far is the idea I have been having about taking up Master Olpins Black Belt challenge. To date I have been looking to get involved with something that has a positive impact on the community at large and to that end have applied to become a Trustee of Shelter Cymru, a Welsh Homelessness Cahrity based in Cardiff. I am off for an interview in a week or so after visiting them a couple of weeks ago to see what they did and wether I woudl be interested in becoming a trustee member. Hopefully the interview will go well and if so may well join the board around Xmas time. To me this is really embracing the entire idea of what it is to be a Black Belt and the sorts of things you need to consider if you really want to wholeheartedly get something positive from the whole BB experience. It's not something for everyboday as we all have different reasons for getting on the BB journey but for me this isn't simply about chasing a belt. I have no illusions that on one day attaining the rank of BB that I will suddenly have access to some mystical wisdom beyond my years. I am looking to have a lifelong interest in Martial Arts as a way to maintian fitness and feel like I belong to a group of like minded individuals.

Thats enough of the preachy stuff, not sure how many people actually read this, I'm off now to avoid a horde of screaming girls who Michelle foolishly allowed to have a sleepover (I feel a Marathon Company of Heroes session could be in order)

An end to another week

Friday comes around again, not much to talk about at the moment really. I'm starting to get into a routine of fitness and settling into sorting out my nutrition. I may need to alter things a bit as I am noticing a dip in energy in the afternoon and early evening. Last nights training session was a good cardio and strength blast but there was a bit of a mishap with Shirley during sparring as I caught her in the stomach with a side kick. I'm glad I pulled the shot as the wind went out of her like a shot. I have never seen that reaction before and it made me think how effective a well placed side kick can be when done with full power and intensity.

Did some weights today and a few sets of strength exercises, abs and chest and will be looking to do a fitness test on Sunday so am tossing up wether to do anything tomorrow or not.

Hectic day

The beginning of the week wasn't too bad and today was when it came to a bit of a halt. A very long day of quite tense meetings meant I wasnt able to get home until nearly 7pm tonight, but in the spirit of the thing I got changed and got straight on the treadmill. I had eaten an apple and banana about 45 mins before but after about 5 mins it soon became apparent that I just didn't have the energy and to be honest the inclination so I stopped after a mile and had some dinner.

Monday nights training was good and I picked up one very important point:

* In all of your basics and patterns try to get a mind/body connection to the activity, visualise an opponent and a strike that you will either defend against or attack.
* When looking to visualise use the simplest attack to assist in making the connection.

I did manage to get to a Tuesday night session and run through Choong Moo, feeling pretty confident about the sequence, now I need to focus on elements, such as the jumping side kick to ensure I am showing the correct emphasis.

New week, new start

Yesterday was a near perfect Sunday, got up at a decent hour had chance for the brain to relax and then out for a cracking 15 mile bike ride, very brisk but it just meant I went faster, managed to do the same route but at least 15 mins quicker. Mooched about at a mates for a bit with Shelly and the kids and then it was home and time for me to get my chef's hat on.

Made some pastry and then a steak and guiness filling, mmmm pies my downfall, as well as pizza, kebabs, fish and chips, pretty much anything deep fried really :)

Was woken up this morning by next door's dog at about 5.30am, really not impressed as today was the first day in ages when I have had the chance to work from home, which should have meant a little longer in bed, but no barking non stop until 7.30am amazing how it all stopped then, but it meant I was a bit zoned out for the first 30 mins until the green tea kicked in!

Had a very busy day getting some key reports togetehr and trying to fathom out what the hell it is I am now supposed to be doing on top of all the other stuff I am also meant to be doing. By about 12pm my head was spinning so decided to get the running machine out and went for a brisk 3 miler. Felt really good running so I thought why not push myself a bit further and see how quickly you can run a mile and a half without really going for it, I ended up doing it in 12 mins and 11 seconds so very happy with myself. I rate this as a real achievement because I truly dislike running, I just find it boring and a real strain on the knees, but it is a good cardio work out and coupled with yesterdays bike ride I am really seeing some rapid improvements in my overall cardio fitness.

I am doing my 4 weekly fitness test this Sunday and I had programmed in a mile and a half in 13 mins, I will let this stand as I am looking to build up core fitness and stamina and don't want to fall into the trap of training for the test as this can be a big mistake.

Currently sitting in the pool watching Ele do her swimming club, after this a swift trip hoem and then straight to the school for training tonight.