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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.