Good Luck Mike,
Presumably your Sensei wouldn't have supported your attending if it wasn't felt that you are ready.
I can suggest two things since I'm certain you have all the other training bits down path already.
Keep one thing in mind during the sparring sessions:
"Pain is good...pain is your friend"
the subtle mental humour of it will make it a bit easier to bear. It wont really help much but if they hear you say it out loud you'll get a memorable laugh out of them...
And when you or they think its all over, no matter what your physical condition (I include broken ribs etc here) catch your breath enough to
be heard to say:
"one more round"
I'll tell you something else.... blackbelt are often fearful of brown belts.
Brown belts have a hunger that many BBs have lost and that drive is intimidating to BBs. Brown Belts have also usually reached a peak of physical training and endurance that gives you an edge.
You wont have the experience though of the advanced Black belts but when all is said and done, belts are just long rags that don't mean much
your spirit and journey are what matter.
Better yourself and discover deep untapped resources. The journey is about you not the opponents, there is always someone faster, stronger etc.
Show them your abominable spirit
frank
