Challenges

 We have officially said farewell to the Rat, and have welcomed the year of the Ox with open arms. The year of the Rat brought its own unique challenges, like no other. And it was a Great year. Many changes, and opportunities, and so very much learned. 

This year seems to be full of challenges, and the ones of speak of are not challenges to overcome something. I am talking about the personal and team challenges set forth by students of SRKF. The calendar year of 2020 ended with an amazing kung fu advent calendar challenge, and I think that kick started a lot of what is to come. 

For myself I have decided to do a full year challenge for the year of the Ox, and have a new weekly challenge, based on a monthly specific area of my kung fu training.  I started this challenge January 1st, as I wanted to finish the year of the Rat strong, and have a strong base to start the year of the Ox. The calendar year started with 1000 push ups and sits ups, 5.5L of water, and 1000 calories on the day, as it always does, and the same for the Chinese New Year on Feb 13, 2021. I am proud of these 2 challenges this year, as I partook in both, and succeeded in both for the first time. It was very busy this past weekend with the Chinese New Year, the Valentine challenge, my daily routine, my weekly challenge, and a couple of new challenges added on. I am now partaking in a 21 day hip challenge, which has been amazing, and something I will add to my daily routine even after the challenge is completed. We are also doing a Sunday morning Black Belt benchmark challenge, which also started this weekend. 

Maybe challenge isn't the right word. Goals, teamwork, upping our game, any one of these is fitting. I'm feeling great, and proud of where I am at, and am excited to where this will take me in my training. I've also lost 4.8 pounds since Jan 1, 2021. My happy would be 20 pounds, my optimal would be 30 pounds for this year, and to sustain that. 

Year of the Rat was an amazing year for the teamwork, the camaradrie with fellow students, the amazing challenges that were taken on and overcome. I also believe this brought a solid foundation for years to come. The Year of the Ox will provide its own challenges to overcome, I am sure. Bring it on, I am ready, willing, and excited for them! 

My baseline numbers for timed kicks and thrust punches on Day 1, February 15, 2021

Front thrust kick  (48) - 1.32 R 1.26 L

Side Heel kick (46) - 1.33 R 1.29 L

Round House kick (50) 1.52 R 2.02 L

Spinning Back kick (28) 1.45 R 1.52 L

Thrust Punch (225) 1.04

Lots of work to be done on both speed and technique!