"Black Belt" Category

We’re well and truly into the Black Belt qualifier, with one week completed. Coming straight off the OXFAM Trailwalker, and the recovery from it, has been challenging. I entered the week physically and emotionally exhausted and looking to a few days recovery. For the first two days I had trouble standing up after sitting for a while (it took me three goes to get out of bed one morning) as the calf muscles would compress and need to be stretched. Added to this was some joint inflammation in the ball of my feet and ankles, which was particularly noticeable in my left foot. The doc put me on anti-inflammatory pills and suggested I elevate it and apply heat.
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Last night my upcoming Black Belt grading became real. Ever since getting my brown belt (3rd kyu) the “big one” has been in the back of my mind, but far enough away to not worry. For the first three months of the year I’ve been able to psychologically avoid it by saying to myself “well if I’m not ready I don’t mind putting it off for six or twelve months”. Even last week when we had our pre-10-week-program grading, I went into it not fussed whether I got through or not. Getting the “you’re on track” from Shihan was a great confidence boost.
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