the day after Thanksgiving

so I learned kusanku dai. pretty cool kata except that there is a lot of turning and spinning. We worked on it at QQS. After the 3 mile run I went with the other students who weren't sparring while everyone else sparred. So I learned it there on the track, and later we all did every kata and then went into groups and worked on our new kata. And we did it over and over and over anad over. I have problems with spinning...somersaults, spinning kicks, motion of any kind, really. So I really didn't feel too great, but it wasn't so bad that I would stop. So then finally we were done with kata and worked on weapons. I hadn't done them for a while because of the arm so I was working on the 1st 2 bo kata. there is also spinning in those. Luckily it was almost time to go home but the damage was done. So my son and I got into the car to go home. As soon as I sat down in the drivers seat I got this AWFUL foot cramp in my right foot. THe kind that are really painful and everything tightens up in the arch. And I'm on the verge of puking. My son is in fear that I'm gonna hurl on him, I'm in fear that I'm gonna hurl on my nice white gi (and it would have been those orange colored cheese crackers with peanut butter inside)
I was even driving with my fingers clamped over my mouth. But amazingly, I did not throw up. I did, however go straight to bed when I got home and it took a long time before I felt well enough to eat something.
But other than that QQS was a lot of fun.

Today is the day after Thanksgiving and I ate a lot. But Renshi was kind enough to hold a 6AM Special Thanksgiving Cardio Kickboxing class which I went to (on Thanksgiving morning) He said we could all have extra pie if we went. Now today, I am sore. everywhere. I had a hard time getting out of bed. I can barely walk to the fridge to get the extra pie that i earned. He has this 6am class every thursday, but its usually only a half hour and there's only 6-8 people., but yesterday's class there were 37 people and it lasted a little over an hour. it was awesome. I think I'll go every thursday.

QQS

So I've only had this black belt for 3 weeks and I have to go thru a new test. I haven't even been to class because of the arm. But today, is QQS-which is black belt testing. Since the black belts don't go thru regular belt promotions like the underbelts they have this event which takes place a few times /year. It is a 3-4 hour test, very similar to my black belt practical test (except I won't be breaking anything today because I still cannot do any contact karate) It will start out with the old 3 mile run, then sparring, kata, weapons etc. My son has been to this many times. I am kind of looking forward to it. (he is not) I haven't been to class in 2 weeks which seems like forever and I'm going thru withdrawal. Today's QQS is going to be outside. It is usually at either the dojo or at the HS gym. But today, we couldn't get the gym. So we are doing it all outside at the HS track (where I ran weekly not too long ago). I haven't run in a couple months. I'm going to hurt tomorrow. I am hoping, though, that I will get to start learning my next kata. I think it is either Kusanku Dai or Goju Shiho (sp?). YAY- i love kata.
Its going to be sunny and in the 60's this afternoon-perfect for outdoor karate. My arm is still pretty weak, but its been getting stronger daily-it hurts like hell in the process, though. It seems like every muscle in my arm atrophied during the 3 weeks in a cast. I have to train them all over again-very weird and very painful. A couple weeks ago I couldn't even hold my arm out in a punching position. I couldn't even lift my arm off my desk to move it from the mouse to the keyboard. Really freaky and scary. My doctor said not to worry, and that in a couple weeks I would not have these problems. He was right- go figure... He also said that i probably won't need PT because the karate is therapy enough. COOL. Now, I have a lot of mobility back in that arm, except I still can't do a high block. I can do inside block, outside block, punch, low block, kagite, shuto but no high block. Can't get my arm up and over my head without excruciating pain. I guess i need to be patient and keep working at it. And also- my wrist and my elbow are so stiff and painful its pissing me off. I didn't break those-why do they hurt??
oh- and what does QQS stand for? I keep forgetting, but I think it is Quality, Quantity(or Quarterly) , and Spirit testing. I think. I'll ask again.

a flower and a hug from Sensei A

a bow and a hug from Renshi

me getting my belt

me getting my gi top

the finale (a move from matsumura passai/passai dai)

my foot

kusanku sho with a cast

me looking at B wipe out