headcold nightmare

This past 4 days have been no fun at all. Been bed ridden with a super bad headcold. Of course this is the worst time of year to get sick, but sick I am nontheless. I think I'm finally on the upswing as it seems to be breaking up a bit and on occasion I can actually smell something. Between my ears needing to pop and not being able to taste or smell properly my head is a ball of mush. I can't wait to feel better. I'm getting in a little training, but little is the optimum word. I hate not following my routine. See you all in the kwoon soon, I hope.

Tiger challenge....wow

This past weekends tournament was awesome. I can't thank everyone involved enough for the efforts they put forth to achieve such a great event. The most rewarding part of the day for me wasn't competing in my own events. I knew going in that I was injured and I went into the tournament with it being used as a oppurtunity to grow as a martial artist. I did ok in my events, I know I can do better in the future and I learned that even as calm as I thought I was, nerves still hit me during my hand form. I love doing forms. I found myself tightening up and this caused some balance issues nearer the end of my form. Lesson learned, relax and breath. Let the form flow, and you are never as prepared as you think you are. The highlight of the day for me was talking to all the kids that were competing. Listening to their triumphs and their failures. Not one young student that I talked to was upset that they didn't or hadn't yet won a medal. They were trying their best and having fun. That to me is what the whole tournament is about.I was especially moved by the conversation I had with Mr. Powell, for such a young person to have such a great outlook on life and his place in it. If only I could have had that kind of insight into the world. He is someone to watch in the future as I think he will truly make a huge impact in anything he puts his mind to. Congratulations to all the grand champions. You all inspired me in various ways. The only thing I was a little saddened by was the small amount of adult competitors. To be able to watch the Sihings and Sifus compete was the icing on the cake. Watching how they move and do the forms. Definately shows me where I want to be in a few years. The other thing I wish we could achieve is to have more people stay to watch the final competitions. It is definately a wasted oppurtunity to not go. Now its time to go to bed, I have a headcold that is trying to block my nasal passages like a beaver dam. Lots of good rest should take care of it though.

reflecting on my year

I have really been taking a long hard look at this year in the I Ho Chuan. My successes and especially my failures. I totally agree with Sifu Brinker that you can learn so much more from your failures, then you can from your successes. 90% of my sucesses have been of a physical nature this year. I will achieve my pushup goal next week and my situps were done over christmas. I wont stop doing them, they are part of me now. I have had to adjust my pushups with more tricep dips due to my elbow injury, but I am still getting in reps. I have almost doubled my kms goal for the year. Between work and all the jogging I have done this year, that has been a breeze. My flexibility has improved, but I have a long ways to go yet. I expected it would take time and pushing to far, to fast would be a mistake. I got my reading of 12 books done plus a few extra ones. Wher I haven't done as well is the mental side. When I'm running or walking the dog I get my walking meditation in no problem. But I haven't gotten into a proper and consistent routine at home. This is something I will have to work harder on this coming year. The other thing that I noticed this year is that I let my knee injury and elbow injury distract me from my training. I became unfocused and scatter brained. Add in the christmas season and I found myself slipping badly. I have missed a number of classes lately due to meetings for my daughters upcoming trip to Quebec and other family issues. Being a husband/father/martial artist has been extremely demanding of late. I have had increased demands on my time, but no more hours in the day. I have learned the hard way that getting less then 6 hours of sleep a nite for a week straight is not good for my health or mental fitness. I have had to give in various areas at various times to accomplish and meet all my commitments. I am not going to be on the I Ho Chuan team this coming year of the snake and I'm a little depressed about that. I will miss the team immensely. But I also am realistic that I would miss a number of the team commitments and I don't want to let the team down in any way. I will still continue on as if I'm on the team. Doing my requirements and blogging(hopefully more succesfully then this past year). I have gotten so much from these past two years. I am not going to return to the person I was before, that would be truely crazy. I learn so much about myself becoming a martial artist. Things I dont want to admit and others I am proud of. But by becoming more aware of who and what I am, I am growing a little bit everyday. I have managed to push myself past limits that I didn't even know I could reach. Who knew this old fart that was an overweight couch potatoe could become someone who wants to live, breath and yes even ooze kung fu. My passion for kung fu is still growing and I consider that a blessing. It means to me that I have found something I can do for a lifetime and enjoy the entire time. Oh I expect valleys, but I look forward to the view from those hills so much.

Holiday mayhem and time to reflect

This past 2 weeks have been a blur for me. I was busier during the holidays then I have been at work. Between all my commitments, it seemed like I never had enough hours in a day. Sleep suffered til the last two days before going back to work. Then I forced myself to slow down and get proper sleep. I got alot of projects completed which is good. But didn't get in nearly as much kung fu practise as I wanted. I have been having long talks with my wife about my time commitment to kung fu and my commitment to my family. I need to find a better balance and to learn to really make quality time with them. Ever since the team meeting on saturday I have been going over the year. There is so much to think about and really absorb from a year in the I Ho Chuan. My next post will cover that topic, it's still a work in progress. I did realize that I lost a bunch of my focus and drive leading up to christmas. I let the distractions get to me and I find that I'm not happy about that. It is something I need to work on for the future. I got my pushups, situps and alot of kms in over the break. But the mental aspects of my kung fu suffered alot. I have made alot of gains physically this year, but I realize that without the mental balance, that my true progress will be very limited.