3/16/17 So, this might sound like I am bragging and maybe
I am just a little. However, I think the fact that I am 42 and not 22 gives me
the right to a little bragging. I have been taking taekwondo with Luke since
October. I was in taekwondo in college and that has been 20 years since. Luke has been in for 3 years now and I have been tempted many times to jump in and join him. Finally I took the step and it all
came back pretty quickly. I remembered quite a bit of the technique, and I
could still do everything pretty accurate. I also still have my ability to kick
high. Next to the 17 year old in the class who never misses a class and tries
to outdo everyone, I think I am up there. Granted, the
majority of the class are kids under the age of 13, but there are adults too. I put snap and
muscle into my punches and kicks. At first I would be pretty sore for two days
after, now I am feeling pretty good. I still get sore and I feel the stiffness
in certain areas, but for the most part I feel better physically and mentally
because I am working out. The conditioning is very light, but we still do push
ups, sit ups, squat jumps, burpies, etc. enough to break a sweat and build some
muscle. I like it, I like that I am feeling fit and healthy. It is also a
confidence boost when I can do everything with ease. Tonight there were 6
adults and sparring was a full half hour. Master Philips said we were going to do
tournament sparring. Normally we do testing sparring which is close contact but
no contact. Tournament sparring is some contact. I had no problem with that and
I am the only one without gear. Everyone else has hand and foot
pads, chest protectors, and head gear. I fight with nothing and that makes me
feel tough. We sparred and rotated
numerous times sparring each person 3 times. I worked up a real sweat and was
out of breath for a long time. The crazy thing, I loved it. It
feels good to get some cardio exercise when you are enjoying it. We were
sparring with lots of kicks and punches. I can throw in some combos, round
kicks high and low, front jump kick, spinning side. Those are my favorite and I
am the only one by far that can kick head height. Everyone else is a little above belt
high. The instructors are impressed.
Last week we went on a Tuesday class and did board breaking. The adults split off and I broke
my board with my palm heel strike 3 times without and trouble. My
hook kick, I nailed it all three times too. I got lots of comments “Sweet,
impressive, awesome” from those watching and holding. Usually little is said. I
was kind of impressed myself. I had never done a hook kick and didn’t know if I
could do it. You have to hit it perfect and dead center. I really surprised
myself.
Thursday taekwndo class was all board breaks. The instructor decided to do continuous board breaks. The class of around 15 people each held a board and you went down the line one after another breaking the boards. My hand was hitting the boards over and over and it hurt. My kick was a hook kick and I could nail the boards pretty good. There were a couple male students in the class that were pretty impressed. That always is a confidence booster. Remember I am the one person without any gear. Also during the class I was partnered with an older bigger man. I had to hold his boards and he was a red belt. When he would miss, it jarred my wrists and bent them back. That hurt terrible. I felt like I needed ice after that class.
Now Luke is quite the taekwondo kid himself! He takes it very serious, has a determined look and works hard at it. He is building some muscle. He kicks good and high and is fun to watch spar. I am so glad that one of my kids took an interest in the sport and Luke is working his way up the ranks.
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