First (but long) post

Hi.  I assume that most everyone who reads this does not know me. My name is Stan and once upon a time, long long ago, I was a student of Master Evins right after he opened up in North Charlotte.  Then life changes happened; I moved away; and fell behind on my training.  I still live far away (New Jersey) but I my goal is to achieve 4th Dan next Spring (when I turn 50), primarily because I know that time is running out for me to meet the physical requirements of 4th Dan!  

Because I am so far away, I completely forgot that there was a Black Belt website - I was only looking at the Facebook page.  Thus I kept my journal entries on a Word Document.  So.... here is my first entry, which is more or less a cut and paste from that Word document.  I will make the rest directly into here.

I look forward to meeting you all.

8/5/17 – first day of training.  I attended a TKD class as Talium at 10 AM then tried to do all of the KT physical requirements.  That was a mistake as I had no time to rest or recover.  I did most of the physical stuff though – will catch up on it tomorrow.

8/6/17 – Sunday.  I have divided all of the physical requirements into 6 day weeks (x # of pushups per day, etc.).  Sunday is to be used as a make up day and a day to learn new stuff or practice things I do not know well.  I went into the gym at 7:30 am and made up the things I did not do from 8/5 plus got ahead on some things. Going to spend time with Deb today and study a little French.

8/7/17 – Monday.  I am traveling for work this week.  Got most of my workout in today.  Can make up some tomorrow.

8/8/17 – Tuesday.  In Denver for training. Stayed a bit late last night with a business dinner.   However, I had a late morning work schedule so I was able to get in a good workout.  So far I am still on track although I am doing some things to help better with scheduling – like running 3.08 miles this morning instead of just 1.5.  Now I will not have to run tomorrow which gives me more time to focus on poomsaes.  Got some news on the work front. I have an hour before my next work event so I will meditate and perhaps start writing my first essay.

8/9/17 – In Denver.  Full day of communication training today.  It is quite draining for an introvert.

8/10/17 – Flying home from Denver.  Got a chance to do my forms looking at the mountains.  I could live here.

8/11/17 – Office day which means more time at the gym.  Traveling for work, with work dinners at night, makes keeping up with training difficult.  Going to try and catch up on my French study today.

8/13/17 – Sunday, rested today.  At 49 I need a bit more recovery time than I once did.

8/14/17 – Monday.  Back at it.  Slowly getting closer to meeting the physical test requirements.

8/15/17 – Tuesday. Had an office day today.  Nice.

8/16/17 – Wednesday – Only one thing to say today.   I hate burpees.

8/17/17 – Thursday.  Another day in the home office.  Good opportunity to spend a little extra time in the gym working on physical requirements

8/18/17 – Friday. Looking forward to the weekend.

8/19/17 – Saturday.  Long run day.

8/20/17 – Sunday. Rest day.  Spent the day in the Hudson River Valley at a cidery

8/21/17 – Monday.   Long day today starting at gym then out in the field AND a dinner event

8/22/17 – Tuesday. Another dinner.  Getting better at the pushups and situps.  Hit my target on the pull-ups.

8/23/17 – Wednesday.  Same ole same ole.  Still hate burpees.

8/24/17 – Thursday. Went to my first sparring class. I’m gassed.  Feeling a bit like my 49 yrs.

8/25/17 – Traveling to Kansas City today.  Had a decent early morning workout with weights to keep my muscle mass up.  Probably will not do much for the next 4-5 days due to all day and evening events at a business conference.

8/25/17 – Actually worked out in the hotel gym this morning. Did not do a lot before I had to be at the conference.

8/26/17 – Little free time today.  Going to go for a run down my old running path when I lived here.  I miss Kansas City a lot.

8/28/17 – Late night last night and early morning.  Same tonight and tomorrow.  Best use of time is to go for long runs to get my miles in.

8/30/17 – Flying home.  I went to my acupuncturist for the first time in about a year.  Feel great.  My feet were really bothering me due to what I am now asking of them but the acupuncture really helped.  Going to get lunch at my favorite restaurant – Café Gratitude – a vegan restaurant in KC.  I am not a vegan but this place is great.  Home tonight!  Been away for too long!

8/31/17 – Slept late then had two business meetings at company HQ.  Both went well with positive implications for future.  Going to go to the gym later today.

9/1/17 – Another month down.  Hopefully that was the last August I will spend in NJ.

9/2/17 – First day of football season.  Ran 4 miles outside for the first time.  Now just need to shave a couple of minutes off my time and I will have met that Physical Exam requirement.