Day 3

Hum, so I think I've pulled a muscle in my abdomen. One spot feels a little funny. I think it happend at the gym. I'm not sure though. It's not that bothersome. Just need to give it a days rest.

Yesterday I did upperbody at the gym. This is the second time since I did my first session with the trainer. I did two sets instead of one. There were still two exercises that I could only do 8 reps instead of 12 on. But I'll work up to it. I'll do upper body again tomorrow. I'm debating on whether or not I want to do legs on Christmas eve morning. My family usually celebrates Christmas on Christmas eve. I probably should. The gym routine is going pretty well. But Monday I was not feeling the cardio. I had a little wine on the weekend and I think that's what threw me off a bit. Wednesday wasn't bad though. Did the two sets of upperbody and then completed a full 30 mins of cardio (15 on the treadmill, 15 on the bike). I also run around the neighboorhood on the days I have Tang Soo Do. So my schedule goes like this:

• Monday: 30 mins upperbody, 30 mins cardio
• Tuesday: 15 mins jog, 90 mins Tang Soo Do, 30 mins yoga
  
• Wednesday: 30 mins lowerbody, 30 mins cardio
• Thursday: 15 mins jog, 90 mins Tang Soo Do, 30 mins yoga
  
• Friday: 30 mins upperbody, 30 mins cardio
• Saturday: 30 mins lowerbody, 30 mins cardio

Of course this is ideal. I will most likely extend the amount of time on upper and lower body, as I gain enough strength to do a third set. And whether or not I can make myself go to the gym on Saturday is questionable too. I usally pretty good at it, but it will probably the day I let slide every once in a while.

Alright, so I've found a definate weakness in my physical self: upper body strength. I noticed it a bit last class as well, with the push ups. But I really noticed it today when master miller made us walk on our hands and drag our feet behind us. It was not very easy for me. Everyone else seemed to wiz on by. But I know with preserverance it'll become easier. So, the focus in my workout routine at the gym really needs to be on upper body. I should do pushups every night and morning as well. I will have to do it the "girly way," as so many people like to put it. I believe that experssion is one that perpetuates the frailty myth. Anyway, I have to put my knees on the gound to do the pushups properly. That will pass though. That's the way I started with my other pushups, so I'm sure I'll be able to pass this stage very shortly.

I learned a new part of the kee cho hyung il boo, or the first form. I also learned number two of the hand escapes. When I was practing the first hand escape with my boyfriend I was unable to get out. He was holding me with the majority of his strength, so it was a bit difficult (especially since I have really tiny wrists, he can get a good grip on them). On that note, while working on wrists grabs, I told my partner that my boyfriend grabed my wrist really hard and I couldn't get out with the first escape, but it occured to me later that she may have taken it the wrong way. In other words, she may have taken it to mean that he was angry or threatening me and grabed my wrist. If I was a guy and said that of my girlfriend, the likelyhood of the other to think his girlfriend was abusing him would be little. So, I should probably watch how I say certain things in class or they might think I have an abusive boyfriend. Another part of the frailty myth that touches the way we think and interact with others!

Stangely I've noticed that my confidence level is diminshing a bit. The first class I was very confident, second class a little less, today a little less. I'm probably just expecting more of myself and feel that others are too. I still feel very comfortable with the others and haven't felt that I need to compete with the others, which is truely amazing. I seriously thought I would get the competative spirit in me. But I'm happy. The less I'm concerned about what others think, the better I will do. Although if another white belt were to come join, I think that competitive spirit would return.

Oh and I actually talked with my mom for like 5 minutes about Tang Soo Do and she seemed semi-interested. It's a step. I guess I just want her to understand what I'm doing. I feel the same way about my thesis. I don't think she understands what it is or how much work goes into it. Anway, I'm thinking that this may be a more personal issue than a reflection of the frailty myth, although that may still play a role in her thoughts.

Well, it's off to do some Yoga!

Day 2

I was pretty sore after my first class. Not horribly sore, but manageable sore. I did yoga the evening after my first class and I think that helped to stretch things out, but I was still pretty sore the next day. I also continued running, which helped to loosen things up as well. The day my legs finally were back to normal, which was yesterday, I met with my personal trainer and we worked on lower body. So, my legs were sore again, but not as bad as the first time.

On another note, I'm noticing that my mother is taking little to no interest in the fact that I've started karate. The only thing she had to say to me after my first class was how expensive it was, and that was even after I lied about the price. For instance, I walked in the door in my Do Bok (I'm not sure if that's the correct spelling. Correct me if I am wrong), or my uniform, and the first thing she asks is, "how much did that cost?" Nothing else is said. My father is also silent on the matter. This is interesting. I'm not sure if it is a result of the family dynamic, lack of knowledge about the subject, or if they just think I'm crazy. Probably a little of both. I don't have any female friends that I talk to on a regular basis. If I did I would insert their comments here. My brother and his wife are coming down for christmas, so I'll be eager to hear what they think. I don't think he ever took any form of martial arts. In fact, he wasn't a very physical person as a teenager or young adult (as far as I know. Keep in mind he is 15 years older than me). Jason, however, seems to be taking it well. We practiced a little on Saturday. He does a few things slightly different, which I will have to watch out for. But all in all he seems very supportive and gives me encouragement. Anyway, I think it's important to speak about the attitudes of those around me as they do have an effect on my progress in Tang Soo Do.

In class today I learned the beginning of my first Hyung, or form, called Kee Cho Hyung Il Boo. Master Miller and another class mate said my attacker stance (the korean word is still lost to me) had improved. I was happy. I practiced a bit last night, making sure my sholders were square and my right foot was pointed to the front. Not perfect, but better. During the warmup routine, I noted some exercises that I need improvement on. The first are pushups. I can do pushups; however, the form of pushup that I do at home isolates a different muscle group than the martial arts pushup. I can do my push up just fine, but can only squeeze out four or five of the other. Really disappointing, but I just have to practice the other way. The funny thing is that most think the pushup I do is harder than the martial arts pushup. But that just goes to show that it's practice that makes one thing easier than another. The second thing I need to work on is a combination of kicks and punches. Anyways, the class went very well. I'm going to be sore against tomorrow. I can already tell. We did alot of ab and hip exercises today and I can feel the fatigue in my hips. I'm sure my body will get used to all this.

Since I've started Tang Soo Do I feel slightly different. I'm proud of myself for actually going through and taking my first Tang Soo Do class and not falling apart. There was an intimidation factor in the beginning (before the first class) and a little voice in the back of my head doubting my ability to do it or even go thorugh with the first class, but luckily the voice at the fore front is stronger and tells me that, with reason, all is achievable.