In the Beginning...

The Brown Belt Blog

Quick Synopsis of my background: Had a stroke when I was 2. It cause partial paralysis on my right side. I do not have full mobility of that side. I cannot use my right hand or punch with it but I can throw a mean elbow. I cannot pivot my right foot as well. In general this does not matter. In the street no one cares. Also people may even look for those that are targets.

I have run 5K races, ran the Pikes Peak Ascent, mountain bike, rock climbed up to a 5.5 climb, cross country ski, was on a Mountain Search and Rescue Team. I also have White Water rafted down the Arkansas River .

“Being handicapped is a state of mind” Quotable Rowe


During 2007-2008 I met 3 Grand Masters, One The Grand Master in Hawaiian Lua, Pei, A Grand Master in Tai Chi, and last but not least I had the honor of been at a seminar with Guru Dan Inosanto.


09/25/08

I went to class and was not pleased with myself. I was tired and lethargic. We ended up sparring and then point sparred. My last sparring match was well a first. I was pairing people up. Without thinking the matter through, I opted to start doing multiple opponents. So naturally the two biggest guys in class and I sparred them. I noted they (Tim and John, John being a youngin but looking like a linebacker) were plotting. They boxed me in plain and simple. I was able to block allot of the shots and have the indentations on my arm to prove it. However, John was able to strike at will. I, as I seem to always do is fight/spar flat-footed. I got boxed into a wall and know better but was unable to figure a way out.

09/26/09

I did get the push-ups, abs and a little run in.


09/27/08

Before I start, I am not a writer. My cousins are (David and Emily). They can spot a dangling participle or have wonderful prose and are amazing writers and people.

Well where do I start then? It has been a “Long strange trip…” so far and road ahead is long and winding and never ending. Nor should it.

I wanted to start this blog as initially to chronicle the last portion of my training to my Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. I may add some color to those that have the benefit of reading. Call it “Artistic License” however I will not alter the primary facts.

Anyway… I want to track this time until my test to look at where I have been and where I am going. Updates on training both inside and outside class. Also on whether I follow the program outside of class too.

Here are the things that I believe I need to work on outside of class:

* Kata’s at least once a week

* Stances, rotation/pivoting and footwork

I need to be able to spin around to spot targets. Using the free standing back as my cheap cheap Wing Chun Dummy to work on pivoting and Wing Chun Chi sau drills and the WC Wooden Dummy form. Once I move next March I can graduate to a cheap Wing Chun Dummy, I fence post in the dirt……

Footwork is essential. I need to get out of trouble quicker than when I get into it. This is also a BIG challenge


* One steps need to them come automatically without thinking

* Basics DUH……

* Endurance 5 times a week

Long ago are the days when I was training for and completed the Pikes Peak Ascent in 2001. I haven’t trained like that since. I used to run roughly 3 miles a day and on weekends have my long run or go biking. I want to get back up to a comfortable level where I do not “suck wind” at a moments notice. I need to endurance back before the test. It will be tested, end of story.

On a side note I have tried any myriad of ways to run on alternate days or on a class day. It just never has worked for me for whatever reason. Once I get back to the 3 mile/30-45 min run time mark; I can take a day off from running every once in a while.

* Stretching

I am at or near a comfortable limit however I need to stretch once or twice a week more to stay limber. I want to keep it around 165 degrees . In the future I do not want to be so limber that when we are all in Old Black Belt Retirement Home that I do not dislocate my hips or worse and only feel something when it is really bad.

I envision us using bo staffs or Kali sticks to get around with and whacking each other. As senility sets in I can here Rodney yell “Watch out..or he will have your ribs for dinner…???!!!! Dinner? Where? No one said dinner was ready”. Ahh senility gotta love it.

* Bag work..

Both arms and legs. Right Elbows, kicks, with and without leg weights are on the docket. Leg weights will improve the speed of the kicks.

My arch nemesis are front round kicks. The right has no power and I have issues with pivoting the right foot to roll the hip over for a left round. I feel my Thai kicks are good and anything below the waist is well within my target range J I say this for fun but once the base is attacked they are in trouble Line from Roadhouse “Ya kick them in the knee and they drop like a stone…”

I want to do 1-3 minute rounds of hands, knees, kicks, elbows, rotating around.

* KALI

It improves hand speed and its just plain fun. It can also be applied to knife attacks and other weapons. It is a system of failures. It operates off of the angle of attack.
Destructions and more.

Calisthenics and Weights.

Crunches, Oblique’s. Brie, Rodney’s Daughter called me “Tubby” and it cut real deep…….. Pushups. Weights I am still wanting to work that in but all I can say is “BEEFCAKE, BEEFCAKE!!!” Thanks Cartman…..



Stop thinking and relax

Well….Duh. My brain is always in the way. That hasn’t changed in 41 years but there is always hope.