Then I taught all day, had a meeting and did some grocery shopping. I made it to Thousand Waves around 5:45, changed into my gi and graded one set of tests as I watched a great group of teens do their Spirit Challenge Sparring event! Equally impressive were some of their parents (a few also TW karateka) doing knuckle push-ups in the warm-up area! The Spirit Challeges never end at TW! ;)
My only event of the evening was Board Breaking 2 (for me). During Board Breaking 1 on Sunday, I broke a very special board with a new technique for me: a short distance palm heel.
Last night I conquered one of my greatest fears: using the top of my foot to break a board (round house kick). Admittedly, I used a one-half inch board instead of the usual one inch ones. However doing so enables me to feel more confident that I can indeed break a "big" board with my round house kick some day. :) Board breaking is always scary for me. I see lots of my fellow karateka of all ages, sizes and abilities seemingly breaking with ease. This should reassure me, but at times I feel that I just cannot do it. I know that I have certain physical limitations (my right arm--still twisted, scarred and weakened by an old tobogganing accident). But then I think of other people with various limitations who break boards and I know that I just have to keep striving with patience and keep trying to do it. As they say, sometimes boards break, sometimes they don't. We can always learn from the experience. As you can see in this video, I still have a lot to learn!
So, I broke one board last night. The board I attempted to break using a side kick from the ground did not break. I'm going to ask the experts for advice and try again next time! Here are some photos from Day 3:
https://goo.gl/photos/L9LieRAPuNaJEacW6
To finish Day 3, I left the dojo, went to Mariano's, finished the shopping I needed to do, went home and made, literally, five trips up and down the stairs carrying stuff in. Since we live on the third floor and have no elevator, I definitely had my spirit challenged yet one more time yesterday! Poor Sam could not help because she is fighting a nasty cold.
In summary, Day 3 is done! I'm writing this on Day 4, about to make my way to the dojo for three more events!
Thank you so much all you lovely supporters! I am feeling it! It is helping me through each and every challenge!
AND I AM JUST 38 CENTS AWAY FROM MAKING MY FUNDRAISING GOAL! WHO WILL BE THE ONE TO PUT ME OVER THE TOP?!?! Click here to do so: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/357616/
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
OSU Senpai Michele!
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