Photo-A-Day 2.0 #01019

I have to run. I have to run because I am working on earning my Black Belt in Krav Maga and there are physical requirements that have to be passed in order to pass the test. In addition to knowing and being able to perform and apply my Krav Maga curriculum I have to do a certain number of push ups and squats as well as a plank for a certain amount of time and a mile run within a specific time as well.

I went to D.B. Sports today and picked up these new Hoka sneakers. I had never heard of these before but the folks at D. B. Sports helped me pick them out. I explained that I run like a cement mixer with an unbalanced load of concrete laced with lead. I also explained that I have neuropathy in my feet. He had me take off my shoes and walk a bit so he could see how I walked. He also checked my current sneakers for wear on them. Based on that he put me in a couple of shoes including these Hoka ones. They felt really, really comfortable. So I got them.

Last night was my Black Belt evaluation. I had to go to the school and show my proficiency with the curriculum and also do the mile run and the push ups. We did not do the squats or the plank. I did my mile in 10:42. I did not run continuously. I’m just not there yet. I have several weeks to train and get to the time I need to get to which is 7:22 for 100% and 8:42 to get 80%. I need 80% to pass and that is a full 2 minutes I need to shave off my time. I can do it if I run without stopping to walk. I just have to get there. So, major training begins on Monday. In 4 weeks I have my pre-test where I will be doing these physical requirements again so I have to do a lot of running to not only get faster but to not be flat out dead when I return from the run because that is when you have to do the other things like push ups. I got 50 done last night and need 59 for 100%. I’ve been doing push ups every night for months. I took the last week or so off, though. I’ll be getting back to that as well as the squats (82 for 100%) and the plank (4:20 for 100% – 2:40 for 80%). I know I can hit 100% for both push ups and squats. It is the other two, though. That will take some work. Oh, and I have to get much better at all things Krav.

Photo-A-Day 2.0 #00997

Eva has been working really hard in Krav Maga. Today she received her green belt. This is the last belt in the three month rotation. When she earns her brown belt she starts the six month rotation. I’ve seen her grow in her skill and confidence so much in the past year. She’s made friends in her classes. This Summer Eva went to morning classes with me and worked with the daughter of one of the women in my class. They became friends and do a great job working with each other. Her friend also pushes her to work harder in the class and you can see how much she has improved. She is very committed to her training and it shows. She’s always happy on Krav days and says that the dojo is her favorite place to be. She’s even gotten comfortable with her instructor’s humor. She was very intimidated at first but is no longer as timid. She gets to help demonstrate once in a while and no longer gets totally embarrassed about it. I am so excited to see how far she goes with this!