Well, guys- this is it. One week- exactly 7 days- till the test. I am nervous beyond words, but also so, so excited. The closer it's gotten the harder it's become to wait for the actual day- that a familiar feeling for you all? I think for me it's partially because I do just want to get it over with so I can feel that blessed relief when it's over, partially because I really do believe I'm ready and want to get there, perform and prove it to myself and partially because it's been on my mind so much I want it to come before I literally go mad with anticipation.
I have been training especially hard this week since next week I actually need to rest up in preparation for the physical energy I will expend come test time (counter-intuitive, but that's how it works). I've been doing my usual workouts each morning and then running on the track. I'll start with a mile and a half and then keep going just to show myself that I can since it's all mind over body anyway. After that I'll do a rep of 5 or 6 forms before I head home to shower, change and head to work. Like I've been saying: harder than I've ever trained for anything in my entire life and I gotta admit that I am really proud of myself.
The master I train with on Thursdays took a look at my self defense and knife dense techniques and said he thinks I'm in really good shape, which is reassuring. I think my kicks are as good as they're gonna get so I'm not stressing about them, and my forms are definitely my strong suit so I'm actually pretty confident there.
The big news celebration wise is that in last Friday's class I got through 2 of my 3 breaks successfully. It was the first time I had tried either one of them on live boards and I missed both the first time. This taught me the very important lesson that if you don't hit it right it HURTS, which therefore means that you'd better hit it right or you're going to be in pain (which is a bad thing to be in at the beginning of 20 hours of physical strain). The second time I got both- and one is a three-part combination of an elbow strike, hammer fist and back kick in sequence- so I'm really psyched.
I have one more break to overcome tonight- my 360 degree spinning back kick. (A.K.A. the one I've been struggling with since the beginning). I will feel a thousand times better if I'm able to break this at least once before the test, so wish me luck! And expect a post telling you all about what I'll doing next Friday...
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Wow Good Luck, I was exhausted just reading your post today, Beverly! Enjoy the weekend between the training.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Suzanne!
DeleteAwesome news! Good luck with your kick tonight! I can't wait to hear about the Big Test. So close! ^_^
ReplyDeleteI know- I can't believe it's only a week away!!!
DeleteGood luck! You'll do well I'm sure, you've been working hard enough! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura!!
DeleteThis sounds so exciting. Have fun with it!
ReplyDeleteI will!
DeleteGood luck! I'm sure you'll do well :)
ReplyDeleteLess than a week - you can do it!!
ReplyDeleteHit the boards right because pain for twenty hours does not sound good.
Thanks Alex! And yeah, technique is everything!
DeleteYou'll be fantastic, Beverly. You'll be so glad you did all that hard work. Can't wait till you tell us all about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for believing in me, Deanie!!
DeleteGood luck, Beverly! You can do it. : )
ReplyDeleteThanks, Suzanne!!!
DeleteHow did the test go? Sounds like a big accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteHaven't had it yet- but it's only 4 days away!
DeleteYou will rock the test! Can't wait to hear about your success after it's over. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the test tomorrow, Bev!
ReplyDeleteI'm sending positive vibes all the way across the blogosphere-----------WHOOSH--------