There is one thing I really like in training.
Perhaps I should start by saying what I don't like. The instructor has somebody play attacker with, say, a right hand body punch. Has defender step back with a left hand block.
So far so good.
They then turn the defense into a combination by sticking on some randomly chosed counter attack. That is what I don't like.
What I like is the addition of a second technique which has been well thought out. I really like this.
When I was an instructor, I would prepare this ahead of time. I would think through likely opponent responses, check distance problems, and the like. I'd prepare maybe 3 rock solid second moves. Each would be taught separately, with plenty of drill repetition. Then, when everybody could perform all the combos, I'd let them pick their favourite to work on.
I also really like this approach to non-partner training, too. Not just any old combo, but ones that are most effective strung together.
The University of Victoria club's instructor made her drills very real. Her focus is tournament fighting, and she uses that angle to bring things alive.
Sakurai Sensei makes things very real. I've never seen him ask us to do anything that didn't make perfect sense, combat-wise. He even does this with Kata. Most intructors think they do this, but they really don't, or they distort the Kata to make things fit.
I really like a class were every move I make is a viable combat action. It will look the same to an insider, but it won't be.
I am a 68 year old retired teacher living on the west coast of Canada. I spent over 30 years as a student of Karate until my knees stopped liking it. My current passionate activity is Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, which I've been at for about 13 years.
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Monday 29 August 2011
Run
Awake early, so I run.
Still dark. Real dark.
Almost no cars. Empty intersections. No people.
Starbucks closed, so I run on. 24 hour McDonalds. I buy a muffin and small coffee. 6am, and the old guys club is already there. Half a dozen chatting in the corner. Only other person is the bleary-eyed employee leaning on the counter. It feels like an Edward Hooper painting.
Running again. I want to see dawn. Up Mount Tolmie. The sky is starting to lighten. At the top there are several cars, and a van. Several women are partaking of a boot camp exercise session. This is most surreal. A man sits cross legged by the rail, facing the coming sunrise. I sit on the rocks.
Dawn explodes in a moment that takes ten minutes. It is so pefect I cry. A photographer has appeared and is recording my sunrise. Crows come, but remain respectfully silent. The cross-legged man vanishes, and the boot-camp women pack up. I run.
It is daylight at the university, but the only person I see is a janitor finishing his shift.
On the streets of the last few miles, life starts pulsing normally.
I am home by 7am, and nobody is awake.
Still dark. Real dark.
Almost no cars. Empty intersections. No people.
Starbucks closed, so I run on. 24 hour McDonalds. I buy a muffin and small coffee. 6am, and the old guys club is already there. Half a dozen chatting in the corner. Only other person is the bleary-eyed employee leaning on the counter. It feels like an Edward Hooper painting.
Running again. I want to see dawn. Up Mount Tolmie. The sky is starting to lighten. At the top there are several cars, and a van. Several women are partaking of a boot camp exercise session. This is most surreal. A man sits cross legged by the rail, facing the coming sunrise. I sit on the rocks.
Dawn explodes in a moment that takes ten minutes. It is so pefect I cry. A photographer has appeared and is recording my sunrise. Crows come, but remain respectfully silent. The cross-legged man vanishes, and the boot-camp women pack up. I run.
It is daylight at the university, but the only person I see is a janitor finishing his shift.
On the streets of the last few miles, life starts pulsing normally.
I am home by 7am, and nobody is awake.
Sunday 28 August 2011
Sums
A normal month of Karate for me has been about a dozen classes.
July had 2 or so at home plus 3 in Victoria. Add in 6 more in Chilliwack. I'm calling July a full training month.
How about August? One class at home, and if I can pull it off another one in Victoria. Total of two. That's a tad short.
September will be normal once more.
My running quota has been more than kept up, as has bike mileage.
Summer is my favourite time. My usual training can get hooped up, but not really.
Even though this year my Karate looks about halved, that is a false assumption. The six classes in Chilliwack were with one of the world's finest instructors. To me, they are each worth 10 normal classes.
My Summer total of 7 normal classes, with 6 taught by Sakurai Sensei is actually more like 67 sessions.
This year, I win.
July had 2 or so at home plus 3 in Victoria. Add in 6 more in Chilliwack. I'm calling July a full training month.
How about August? One class at home, and if I can pull it off another one in Victoria. Total of two. That's a tad short.
September will be normal once more.
My running quota has been more than kept up, as has bike mileage.
Summer is my favourite time. My usual training can get hooped up, but not really.
Even though this year my Karate looks about halved, that is a false assumption. The six classes in Chilliwack were with one of the world's finest instructors. To me, they are each worth 10 normal classes.
My Summer total of 7 normal classes, with 6 taught by Sakurai Sensei is actually more like 67 sessions.
This year, I win.
Wednesday 24 August 2011
Camping
We're going camping. I don't like camping.
Sleeping on the ground. I can take that or leave it. Tents? Yummy.
The problem is most likely the camping when I was a kid. The tents were old, musty, canvas monsters. The air mattresses leaky and squeaky.
Camping food? Don't get me started.
Helen loves camping. She loves every part of camping. We've compromised in the past and camped on some of our California vacations. The compromise was, sleep in the tent and eating in restaurants.
This time it's real camping. We are going with Helen's brother's family. Two of us, and five of them. Kids all over. Campfires, cooking, the whole shebang.
It won't be any hardship. Oliver and Jenn know how to do camp food right. We're taking tons of hot dogs and chips as well. Who doesn't love hot dogs and chips?
I do like being in woods, and being next to a lake. There will be wonderful places to do my running. Should be lots of reading time, and my Kindle is loaded. Taking an iPad along as well.
The part of camping I hated the most as a kid was boredom. I used to count the hours. All the stuff I liked doing at home did not translate into the camping world. Was never the kind of kid that entertained himself with a stick, a rock, and some dirt. As an adult, all my fun stuff comes with me. Helen is even insisting I take a Karate uniform along. Kata by the lake?
All my activities, and the kids, and visiting with Oliver, Jenn, and Helen will make this the best camping ever.
And the chips.
Sleeping on the ground. I can take that or leave it. Tents? Yummy.
The problem is most likely the camping when I was a kid. The tents were old, musty, canvas monsters. The air mattresses leaky and squeaky.
Camping food? Don't get me started.
Helen loves camping. She loves every part of camping. We've compromised in the past and camped on some of our California vacations. The compromise was, sleep in the tent and eating in restaurants.
This time it's real camping. We are going with Helen's brother's family. Two of us, and five of them. Kids all over. Campfires, cooking, the whole shebang.
It won't be any hardship. Oliver and Jenn know how to do camp food right. We're taking tons of hot dogs and chips as well. Who doesn't love hot dogs and chips?
I do like being in woods, and being next to a lake. There will be wonderful places to do my running. Should be lots of reading time, and my Kindle is loaded. Taking an iPad along as well.
The part of camping I hated the most as a kid was boredom. I used to count the hours. All the stuff I liked doing at home did not translate into the camping world. Was never the kind of kid that entertained himself with a stick, a rock, and some dirt. As an adult, all my fun stuff comes with me. Helen is even insisting I take a Karate uniform along. Kata by the lake?
All my activities, and the kids, and visiting with Oliver, Jenn, and Helen will make this the best camping ever.
And the chips.
Tuesday 23 August 2011
Fall
I hate September. I always have. Hated it as a kid, and as a University student. Hated it as a working man, with Helen having to go back to work for another school year. As a teacher, I hate it still.
Admittedly, there are a few good points. On the West Coast, September often has the best weather of the entire year.
It is also the time of year for the Karate Club to start up. We have been pottering along through the summer, but September is when people choose their activities for the coming year. A bit of a push can easily put 20 new students into a gym. Trick is, somebody has to do it.
When I used to push hard for September enrolment in all my clubs, it was a lot of work. Posters have to be made, and put up all over town. As antiquated as newspapers are, ads are a must. Early is better than later. October is too late.
In our new club, I'm not the organizing guy, thank goodness. I just hope somebody is going to throw themselves on the grenade and get it all done.
Clubs are surprisingly fragile. A change of location or of time often happens in the Fall. Karate people are usually not great complainers. If a change doesn't suit somebody, they usually just stop attending. We have about a dozen regulars now. Hate to lose anybody.
On the selfish side, I'd love the club to both hang on to all the old members, and pick up a bunch more as well. It's easier and more fun to train in a big, enthusiastic group. It if doesn't work out that way, I'll be fine anyhow.
I've made new connections, and renewed old ones. An old, Black Belt can pretty much get by solo. Not so easy for our enthusiastic new people. They need a healthy club structure. We have that, mostly due to word of mouth. Never had a ton of people, but we've squeaked by.
We could really use a health Fall session.
Admittedly, there are a few good points. On the West Coast, September often has the best weather of the entire year.
It is also the time of year for the Karate Club to start up. We have been pottering along through the summer, but September is when people choose their activities for the coming year. A bit of a push can easily put 20 new students into a gym. Trick is, somebody has to do it.
When I used to push hard for September enrolment in all my clubs, it was a lot of work. Posters have to be made, and put up all over town. As antiquated as newspapers are, ads are a must. Early is better than later. October is too late.
In our new club, I'm not the organizing guy, thank goodness. I just hope somebody is going to throw themselves on the grenade and get it all done.
Clubs are surprisingly fragile. A change of location or of time often happens in the Fall. Karate people are usually not great complainers. If a change doesn't suit somebody, they usually just stop attending. We have about a dozen regulars now. Hate to lose anybody.
On the selfish side, I'd love the club to both hang on to all the old members, and pick up a bunch more as well. It's easier and more fun to train in a big, enthusiastic group. It if doesn't work out that way, I'll be fine anyhow.
I've made new connections, and renewed old ones. An old, Black Belt can pretty much get by solo. Not so easy for our enthusiastic new people. They need a healthy club structure. We have that, mostly due to word of mouth. Never had a ton of people, but we've squeaked by.
We could really use a health Fall session.
Monday 22 August 2011
World Cup
In the old days, the big Japan Karate Association event was called the All-Japan Championships. As the sport spread around the world this didn't make much sense. There was the multi-association World Championship ( WKF ), but nothing specific to the JKA.
As a result, a world event was created called the Gichin Funakoshi Cup. This year it is the 12th such tournament and is being held in Thailand.
A friend of mine is there right now as part of Team Canada. His name is Don Sharp. He is also the head of the JKA in our province. He won the Gichin Funakoshi Cup back in the 1990's.
In the Team Fighting event, Canada got a bye, and in the second round faced Britain. The Canadian won the first match, and my friend Don was up next. His wife was there and reported back to Don's friends and students back home;
The fight began well - Sensei and Richard were well matched. Sensei got the first point, energizing the whole team as well as all the Canadian Team supporters and spectators. There were several good skirmishes, and the fight was getting close to the final 30 seconds when Richard threw a face level round house kick that connected hard and knocked Sensei Sharp unconscious for several minutes. It was a difficult (and very scary) moment for all of us.
Turns out it was a serious concussion, and some hospital time was involved. Don's participation this year ended abruptly. Canada went on the take the Silver, losing only to Japan.
It is easy to forget that Karate is a contact sport.
Things happen in life, and Karate is part of life.
As a result, a world event was created called the Gichin Funakoshi Cup. This year it is the 12th such tournament and is being held in Thailand.
A friend of mine is there right now as part of Team Canada. His name is Don Sharp. He is also the head of the JKA in our province. He won the Gichin Funakoshi Cup back in the 1990's.
In the Team Fighting event, Canada got a bye, and in the second round faced Britain. The Canadian won the first match, and my friend Don was up next. His wife was there and reported back to Don's friends and students back home;
The fight began well - Sensei and Richard were well matched. Sensei got the first point, energizing the whole team as well as all the Canadian Team supporters and spectators. There were several good skirmishes, and the fight was getting close to the final 30 seconds when Richard threw a face level round house kick that connected hard and knocked Sensei Sharp unconscious for several minutes. It was a difficult (and very scary) moment for all of us.
Turns out it was a serious concussion, and some hospital time was involved. Don's participation this year ended abruptly. Canada went on the take the Silver, losing only to Japan.
It is easy to forget that Karate is a contact sport.
Things happen in life, and Karate is part of life.
Thursday 18 August 2011
World Cup
It is an important time for some Karate people I met recently, and for another I've known for years.
Three young people from BC are in Thailand at the JKA's big international tournament. The event is called the Gichin Funakoshi Cup.
Zach made it to top 16 in fighting, and both Amanda and Jacob reached top 8. This was the first international event for any of them, so they did incredibly well.
Soon, an old friend, Don Sharp will be competing in the adult division. He won the whole thing once over a decade ago. Maybe he'll do it again. He's also been acting as the kids's coach.
All this while I've been lazing the summer away on cruise ships and in the Okanagan. Wine tours and restaurants for me.
Three young people from BC are in Thailand at the JKA's big international tournament. The event is called the Gichin Funakoshi Cup.
Zach made it to top 16 in fighting, and both Amanda and Jacob reached top 8. This was the first international event for any of them, so they did incredibly well.
Soon, an old friend, Don Sharp will be competing in the adult division. He won the whole thing once over a decade ago. Maybe he'll do it again. He's also been acting as the kids's coach.
All this while I've been lazing the summer away on cruise ships and in the Okanagan. Wine tours and restaurants for me.
Sunday 14 August 2011
Choices
Vernon has been great for my running mileage totals. I've been out every morning around 6:30 except for my usual break day.
My usual goal is 6 km per day. My weakest here was about 8.5 or so. Most have bested ten, and today was the farthest at 14.5 k.
The weather helps a lot. I'm also finding many interesting routes. If I lived here and things ever got stale there are millions of more options a few minutes away by car. No need for that yet.
Haven't even minded the evil hills. They have just seemed a wee challenge.
Helps that our hosts get up a bit after I head out, and Lola always has the coffee ready.
My usual goal is 6 km per day. My weakest here was about 8.5 or so. Most have bested ten, and today was the farthest at 14.5 k.
The weather helps a lot. I'm also finding many interesting routes. If I lived here and things ever got stale there are millions of more options a few minutes away by car. No need for that yet.
Haven't even minded the evil hills. They have just seemed a wee challenge.
Helps that our hosts get up a bit after I head out, and Lola always has the coffee ready.
Friday 12 August 2011
Crackhead
Friday is my optional run day. I run if I feel the need, or if I've fallen behind earlier in the week. Today I chose not to.
Bike? Didn't ride for even one inch.
Karate? Not a single punch.
Instead of working out, friends and Helen and I were touring the wineries. Lot's of tiny glasses of wine. Lots, and a fabulous lunch overlooking the vinyards and lakes.
After that, strolling in town and yet another meal. Now back at home base on the hill, sunsetting wonderfully while I sit in a comfy chair.
Not a hint of guilt, proving I am not a workout junkie.
Bike? Didn't ride for even one inch.
Karate? Not a single punch.
Instead of working out, friends and Helen and I were touring the wineries. Lot's of tiny glasses of wine. Lots, and a fabulous lunch overlooking the vinyards and lakes.
After that, strolling in town and yet another meal. Now back at home base on the hill, sunsetting wonderfully while I sit in a comfy chair.
Not a hint of guilt, proving I am not a workout junkie.
Tuesday 9 August 2011
Vernon Run
So I'm in Vernon, it's 6am, and I head out for a run.
I felt all virtuous, especially as we are staying on the top of a god awful hill. I'd call it at least 45 degrees, I swear. So off I go in hill trudge mode.
Then along comes this chick, all done up in Lululemon from head to toe, going faster than I could run on flat ground, even if I were sprinting. The kicker is she was going UPHILL. Witch.
On I go, down the hill at old man trudge speed. Go too fast and the knees blow out going down. At the bottom I crank to 10kph. Went through town to the last Starbucks around. Running is better with a vanilla latte in the middle, don't you think?
Enjoyed coffee, and I ran back, through the downtown this time. Nasty part is that no matter which way one runs, that hill is waiting at the end. Going down it was 45 degrees, but up is at least 89.
More coffee was waiting for me when I got in the door.
Need fluids to replace all that sweat.
I felt all virtuous, especially as we are staying on the top of a god awful hill. I'd call it at least 45 degrees, I swear. So off I go in hill trudge mode.
Then along comes this chick, all done up in Lululemon from head to toe, going faster than I could run on flat ground, even if I were sprinting. The kicker is she was going UPHILL. Witch.
On I go, down the hill at old man trudge speed. Go too fast and the knees blow out going down. At the bottom I crank to 10kph. Went through town to the last Starbucks around. Running is better with a vanilla latte in the middle, don't you think?
Enjoyed coffee, and I ran back, through the downtown this time. Nasty part is that no matter which way one runs, that hill is waiting at the end. Going down it was 45 degrees, but up is at least 89.
More coffee was waiting for me when I got in the door.
Need fluids to replace all that sweat.
Sunday 7 August 2011
No time
I am of an age where I'm thinking about retirement. Strangely, whenever it becomes a topic of conversation everyone starts making suggestions about how to fill up the aquired time. They suggest going part-time, or starting a new career, or dong volunteer work. Are they insane?
It can be assumed my current leisure time will continue, and will not need to be filled.
On a workday, I leave home about 7:00am. Let's go for a run instead on a retirement day. Let's have it last an hour and a half with a half hour recovery sit down. Already it's nine o'clock. Bet I'll bike into town for something every day. Let's put that next on my hypothetical day. It takes 20 minutes each way, and let's put on 40 minutes of in-town activity. It's 10:30 and coffee time. 11:00 am.
Let's put in an hour of reading a day. Bang, it's lunchtime. Round the time off to 1pm when lunch is done.
Haven't "done" anything much, except relax.
Now fill the afternoon with camera fiddling, computer playing, video watching, Karate practising....
I think I'll have plenty to keep me happy.
Start a second career? Who has time for that?
It can be assumed my current leisure time will continue, and will not need to be filled.
On a workday, I leave home about 7:00am. Let's go for a run instead on a retirement day. Let's have it last an hour and a half with a half hour recovery sit down. Already it's nine o'clock. Bet I'll bike into town for something every day. Let's put that next on my hypothetical day. It takes 20 minutes each way, and let's put on 40 minutes of in-town activity. It's 10:30 and coffee time. 11:00 am.
Let's put in an hour of reading a day. Bang, it's lunchtime. Round the time off to 1pm when lunch is done.
Haven't "done" anything much, except relax.
Now fill the afternoon with camera fiddling, computer playing, video watching, Karate practising....
I think I'll have plenty to keep me happy.
Start a second career? Who has time for that?
Friday 5 August 2011
Back, back, forward...
It's all set up, and perfectly safe.
The attacker moves in fast and punches to the face. Immediately the attacker moves in fast again and punches to the chest.
The defender knows what is coming and moves back fast, and moves back fast again. The defender survives, and gets to end the set by moving forward and punching the cooperatively stationary attacker.
For the defender it is; back, back, forward...back, back, forward...back, back, forward...
No sweat.
My partner was a big guy. A really big guy. He was a Purple Belt. This is one level below Brown. Good enough to be dangerous. He decided to pick up the pace on the old Black Belt. Fine. Soon we were moving at flat out full speed.
Back, back, forward...back, back, forward...
It was fun. Then his turn to defend.
He went back, back, forward...back, back, forward...back, FORWARD WHAM...
He indicated he could continue, so we did, but I don't think he was breathing much for the next little while.
Later he complimented me on hitting him exactly in his solar plexus, and thanked me for pulling most of the power out of the punch.
I was pleased he was able to smile.
The attacker moves in fast and punches to the face. Immediately the attacker moves in fast again and punches to the chest.
The defender knows what is coming and moves back fast, and moves back fast again. The defender survives, and gets to end the set by moving forward and punching the cooperatively stationary attacker.
For the defender it is; back, back, forward...back, back, forward...back, back, forward...
No sweat.
My partner was a big guy. A really big guy. He was a Purple Belt. This is one level below Brown. Good enough to be dangerous. He decided to pick up the pace on the old Black Belt. Fine. Soon we were moving at flat out full speed.
Back, back, forward...back, back, forward...
It was fun. Then his turn to defend.
He went back, back, forward...back, back, forward...back, FORWARD WHAM...
He indicated he could continue, so we did, but I don't think he was breathing much for the next little while.
Later he complimented me on hitting him exactly in his solar plexus, and thanked me for pulling most of the power out of the punch.
I was pleased he was able to smile.
Time off
I am currently visiting The city of Victoria for about a week. It is very nice, but my routines are all off kilter.
There has only been one run, and a lot of sleeping in. Somehow these two activities are not equivalent.
Lots of minor bike riding down Victoria's lush quiet streets and trails.
I've even been twice to train with the University Karate Club. The instructor presents things with a bit of a free-sparring focus. This has been very pleasant. It is funny how at pick-a-partner time how some people want to work with an old Black Belt, and some stay far away.
I hardly ever kill anybody.
There has only been one run, and a lot of sleeping in. Somehow these two activities are not equivalent.
Lots of minor bike riding down Victoria's lush quiet streets and trails.
I've even been twice to train with the University Karate Club. The instructor presents things with a bit of a free-sparring focus. This has been very pleasant. It is funny how at pick-a-partner time how some people want to work with an old Black Belt, and some stay far away.
I hardly ever kill anybody.
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