Intentions

I have turned in my "Intent to Test" for 1st Kyu (the final Kyu test). Assuming I pass, my next test will be for pre-Shodan (black belt level). As I passed my pre-1st Kyu test in July, the earliest I could test for 1st Kyu is October. So the choice was whether to push for …

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What I Learned from a Vacuum Cleaner

Today I visited the Genyokan Dojo for a noon stretching class. I was the first student to arrive, so after changing into my dogi I got out one of the vacuum cleaners and began to clean the mat. No one told me to do this; I had learned it from earlier classes, watching other students …

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Always a Beginner

MY OPPONENT LUNGED and reached out to grab hold of me. I dodged smartly, grabbed his hand and elbow, and raised his arm high, stretching his side and pushing him off balance. As I prepared to take him down and apply a pin, he stopped me. "Lead more with your right hand," he said. "The …

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Various and Sundry

TIME TO CATCH UP ON A FEW THINGS going on in the Fitness at 50 world that haven't warranted a full post by themselves. So here we go: Running: Back up to double-digit mile running after three weeks of post-marathon recovery. It's been a bit frustrating because I expected to recover faster. Coach Marie told …

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