Discouraged

It's one of those "I"m not sure I'm cut out for this" days.

When I get out of TKD all belts class today, I'm exhausted, sweaty, and discouraged. I'm thinking: Why am I spending a hot day kicking imaginary and real opponents, doing push ups, and getting kicked until the sweat is running down my back?

Today I'm having a hard time answering that question.

We had 3-step sparring practice today. It was extremely frustrating. Three-steps are simple combinations of blocks and strikes that you practice with an opponent. They're kind of like sparring forms that you memorize.

I learned some of the 3-steps, at least #1-5, from Mr. Houtz last spring. I was getting pretty good at them under his patient teaching. But I haven't done them since then--we never practice them in all-belts. Until today, when we were informed that it will later become part of our tests.

I found I didn't remember them at all.

Some looked familiar after Justin (our teacher today) demonstrated them, but there were a couple I just couldn't do, even with coaching from Justin. I felt like a total klutz.

Then regular sparring. I did OK, scoring-wise, but once again got totally winded--by the last match-up, I could barely get my kicks up. Justin, forgetting that not everyone's a 17 year old boy with that kind of strength and energy, ended the class with push-ups and sit-ups. Usually I breeze through those, but after that class, I was toast.

I don't know. I thought I was in pretty good shape. Maybe not. But I don't have time (or energy or desire) to get in another workout per week . . .

And plus, my wrist got hurt at some point. I have ice on it now.

I guess everyone has days like this.

You know, before I started TKD, my Saturday exercise was lap-swimming at the Y. In nice cool water. With no one kicking me. And no sweat. In an hour and a half, I'd have exercised, showered, dried my hair and been ready to go. . . today that sounds inviting.