Oh, to be single again.

I found myself contemplating things the other day. Wondering what if? Maybe it would be easier. But alas, even though it has been more challenging than I thought, I'm gonna keep plugging away with the double chucks, no single chucks for me. I found the single chucks challenging but I was able to get the knack of a few moves fairly quickly which definitely helped with motivation and confidence.

Learning the double chucks reminds me of a hike we did this past summer. It was a trail that I had never done before and it seemed like it was literally straight up the side of a mountain. I am used to trails that provide small victories and achievements. A steep incline for a bit, then maybe a nice plateau to give the hiker the opportunity to catch their breath and relish in their small accomplishment before tackling the next. This trail provided no such luxuries, straight up, 5 km, all incline. I found myself taking about 30 paces and then needing to break, 30 paces, break, and so on. I was by myself at this point so during my breaks, I took the opportunity to teach several birds, squirrels and other such critters, some new words. So many times I recall thinking to myself, turn back, head back down the mountain. But I didn't. I took my 30 paces and I rested and then another 30. It was a slow progression, but I made it to the top. I didn't turn back.

Now, I'm not trying to be over dramatic, but like that trail, this has been more challenging than I had anticipated and I have considered maybe I should just do single chucks again. But no, I am not coming down until I reach the top. Although I have taken the opportunity to teach my dogs some new words,  I feel that I have had my first small victory this week ( thanks again to Sifu Playter for your assistance). I have been trying to get the knack of a few double chuck techniques for about 3-4 weeks now and finally had a small break through on one. I am definitely not as far along on my form, but I do have about 10-13 moves so far.  I am going to continue to climb even if it is only a few steps at a time.

Thanks for reading.

Mike

Duck, duck.......GOOSE

One of my favourite things is hearing Canadian geese honk as they fly overhead. I think it is because that is a sure sign that we are starting a season of change. Spring and autumn are definitely my favourite seasons. Spring is exhilarating as we anticipate all the new freshness and growth Mother Nature can bring us. It is a time to watch the browns and yellows of winter give way to greens and other brilliant colours. This is also a time of rejuvenation not only in nature, but personally as well. An opportunity to reaffirm my trajectory and confirm I am going in the right direction and a chance to start certain goals that have been hibernating and continue on with others with refreshed motivation.
I have been dedicating a fair bit of time on the chucks the past few weeks. I have learned the school form (thank you Sifu  Playter), now it's time to work on cleaning it up.  I have also been focused on several double chuck techniques so I can start piecing together my form. I am nowhere near where I want to be with this, but I feel a steady, albeit slow (very slow) progression. I think I may have been overly ambitious with a few (what seem to me as advanced) techniques. I may have to refocus my efforts on starting with a simpler form then tweaking it to where I want it to be through out the year.

My accumulative numbers are:

PU - 2835
SU - 1715
Kms - 74
Kempo - 34
Chucks - 120
AOK - 100

Thanks for reading.

Mike

Sustainability

I have been reviewing my progress so far and comparing myself a bit to where I was a year ago. Part of my problem was I jumped in with both feet, now in one respect that is good, but in another, I wasn't prepared, physically or mentally. I started out of the gate sprinting (at least for me it was), and that proved to not be sustainable. When I couldn't maintain that pace I started to struggle mentally as I felt that I was already failing just after a few weeks. This year I have taken a different approach. I don't really need to win the race, but it is more about finishing. I have developed a pace that is working for me, and I am slowly increasing it when I can. Although, my numbers are slightly behind of  where they were a year ago, this is about the time I started to struggle. I have no doubt that my numbers are only gong to get better from here.
So, I'm happy where I am this year and I'm looking forward to further progression.
Accumulative numbers are:
SU - 1600
PU - 2300
Km - 48
Chucks - 82
Kempo - 20
AOK - 80

Thanks for reading.

Mike