From time to time I've posted about my Journey to Black Belt, and a few people seemed interested so I figured it's time to give an update.
We're now just over 2 weeks into our Black Belt Prep Cycle training. The Prep Cycle is a 7-week intensive program structured to push each candidate to their physical and mental limits, culminating in the Black Belt Grading weekend on June 18-19.
I've posted an update on my blog with how the prep cycle is going, and more info about the actual Black Belt Grading weekend and what's in store for us - especially in the sparring. It's not going to be pretty!
The timing of these amazing clear skies pretty much all throughout May have just been the worst. Going outside at night to do any astronomy is pretty much the last thing on my mind right now. Sleep is all I want!
Best wishes Mike – it looks like the journey is perhaps what it’s all about, with the destination being more like the icing on the cake? They may “break” your ego but I’m sure your spirit will carry you through.
My black belt grading starts on Friday afternoon at 4pm, and goes right through until Saturday at 3pm. Pretty much 24 hours of continuous training - pushing us beyond all boundaries we thought we had.
I'm looking forward to getting back to some astronomy once this is all over. It's been a long time. I've also got this thing called IISAC2010 I need to get on top of.
From a spiritual perspective, how do you feel mentally or know when you are ready, do you feel it's 'your' time now? Have there been moments in doubts, or you felt your techniques were quite there?
(not saying you're not prepared or ready, just curious).
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.
From a spiritual perspective, how do you feel mentally or know when you are ready, do you feel it's 'your' time now? Have there been moments in doubts, or you felt your techniques were quite there?
(not saying you're not prepared or ready, just curious).
Cheers Norm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spearo
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
Thanks Frank and Norm.
You're right - it really is a physical, mental and spiritual journey. The Sensei's and Kyoshi's really are trying to create a black belt that is more than just the physical ability of punches, kicks and blocks.
It's about a black belt attitude, it's about respect, it's about how you conduct yourself outside the dojo and what you take away from martial arts into your every day life - with your family, with your work colleagues.
The black belt grading is our own personal olympics. It's about pushing us through all mental and physical barriers we thought we had, and coming out the other side. Like Frank said, "one more round". It's about showing that budo spirit and never giving up. Whether it's pain, tiredness, mental exhaustion - never giving up and digging deeper to come out the other side.
I'm comfortable with my techniques, I'm comfortable with my self-defence, arnis and kata. I'm confident with my fitness. I'm confident with sparring, having gone in quite a few tournaments over the past 18 months or so, but when it comes to sparring at the black belt grading it's a different beast altogether. It starts at about midnight on Friday night when you're already tired and exhausted from everything else you've had to do. It doesn't matter how good you are - they will throw (fresh) black belt after (fresh) black belt at you until they have broken you.
That's going to be the biggest challenge for the weekend.
Only 24 hours to go now.. At this time tomorrow i'll be part way through my 2nd lap around Adcock Park doing my 5.4km run, before doing 100 pushups, 100 situps and 100 squat kicks.
Only 24 hours to go now.. At this time tomorrow i'll be part way through my 2nd lap around Adcock Park doing my 5.4km run, before doing 100 pushups, 100 situps and 100 squat kicks.
It is such an amazing experience. Such an amazing feeling of achievement.
I'll have more photos and videos to post this afternoon I hope. The first one below is afterwards, with Shihan Lliam and the second one was from Friday night after my sparring. You can see a bit of the bloody nose, but you can't see the bloody lump on the head in that shot Or the swollen bruised left tricep
I ran on adrenalin for a whole 24 hours. Now that it's come down, my body is just aching all over. I had a whole body massage at a Chinese massage place yesterday, and it was agony trying to 'relax', especially when he did my hamstrings and calves LOL
I'm so happy though, and so proud of myself. An incredible journey.
Update on my Journey to Black Belt
