What Doesn't Kill Us?...

 I recently read another book by Dean Karnazes, the Ultramarathon Man, entitled “Run”. I like to run as a side hobby and suspect that some form of ultramarathon is in my future. Yikes, did I say that out loud? Anyway, he was describing one of his many Leadville, Colorado ultramarathons and how at some point the altitude got to him and he passed out and woke up unable to speak. He could hear words like “brain hematoma” and “get him down the mountain quick” going on around him. When he became conscious again, his first thought was that Leadville had kicked his ass and he was ecstatic! Athlete that he is, he loves it when something gets the better of him and immediately begins plans to train differently to overcome it. Leadville bested him twice before he conquered it and now he’s run it multiple times. Dean inspires me to be tougher. I try to carry that inspiration into times when I just don’t feel like working out, or running faster, or hitting one more tiger form today…

Anything at the kung fu school that is really challenging has this effect on us. This can be a tough class filled with drills, push ups and so many kicks that your legs are trembling uncontrollably when you stop or a material class filled with some of our longest, most difficult forms like we do in 3^rd and 4^th degree class. When you take that class, you usually hit an endorphin rush somewhere in the middle, akin to a “runners high”, where you feel really strong, and you attack the forms with even more gusto. Then at the end of the class, exhausted, you feel so happy, so alive on the planet and very empowered with your own ability to overcome…anything! Everyone needs to have something in their lives that does this for them!

Last Nights Class was Awesome!

Well the doors were open and the temperature was warming up, and it was one of those classes that goes way beyond expectations! It wasn't necessarily different in subject matter, but Master Joe knows just what to say to really pull it out of you! Horse stance training with butterfly swords left my legs feeling like jello which made doing the hua forms very challenging at first! Then the drills. I think that was my favorite part, drilling some of the hardest hua sequences up and down the floor. It's so wonderful to be having a blast while you are working your #%*&#/  off!

And then sharing the floor with people I've known for years now, we welcomed back a student from the early days of Austin Kung Fu who has just moved back to town after a long absence and this weekend our visiting 2nd degree black belt from Denver will be in town (he started with Master Joe in 1991 I think). It is just an awesome experience and I'm already looking forward to Saturday's class - if I can move haha. Sometime around 3 today, I expect last nights class to let my muscles know who's in charge.

Spring puts a Kick in Your Step

This incredible weather along with the appearance of all the new leaves and grass just makes me look forward to class that much more! It's real "sweat-er" weather you know? Spring for Austin Kung Fu and Tai Chi means classes with the doors wide open, while the smell of.....mountain laurel (haha, you thought I was going to say something stinky didn't you) wafts into the training room. Spears in the parking lot and tai chi to the sound of the twittering birds all around us.
I can't wait to join my fellow classmates Thursday night for 3rd, 4th and 5th degree class! Working on lots of new material, drilling the hua forms and working up a good sore for Friday!
Master Joe and Sifu Paul evidently had a great time at the weekend seminars in Lexington, so you know you can expect some great classes this weekend at Shaolin-Do!
This is my first blog, but I plan to keep posting some of the crazy antics I see in class along with the awesome workouts and material we're working on. Have a great day everyone!