Spring 2025 Black Belt Cycle

Candidate Journals

King Tiger Tae Kwon Do Black Belt candidates blog daily about their journey: their thoughts and feelings, their struggles and successes; their pain and their encouragement. Follow along on their journey; words of encouragement are always welcome!

today my u...

today my uncle visited from Germany. He was serving and now I get to see him. We are going to school and are going to play in the gym.

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today was ...

today was good and I read a lot and I did taekwondo and I played video games. yeah so today I feel kind of rushed and so that has made things different and I had kind of a resting as well when I wasn't feeling rushed. TKD was good we did a lot of sparring and in one of my matches we did three people  and I turned out to be a two on one match and that was hard.

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Early start

7/1:  Today I got up at 5:30 to get my exercises done.  I challenged myself by watching my cousin play on my ipod by doing all of my requirements.  I felt really good about it because I got all my requirements done and I didn't let myself down.

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my phone!!!

today my phone got wet and the sound wont work now. I am really mad!!! I put it in a bag of rice to see if it would dry it out. I hope it works!!

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I didn't r...

I didn't really have anything going on today other than taekwondo so I slept late since I stayed up late watching a movie with my sister. When I got up, I did my chores around the house then did my running. It was very hot and humid outside today so running was the hardest part of my exercises. After I did my running I came home and worked on my other physical requirements then played with my friend for a few minutes until time to go to taekwondo. I did 2 regular classes and a weekday black belt class tonight. I was able to get several credits in at my classes tonight so I was happy about that. After taekwondo I watered my neighbors garden then went to dinner. After dinner I did some extra meditation time & helped with more projects around the house for my mom. I don't have...

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Classes

Today I got what i wanted completed..... In the morning I ran with my dad and then I went back to sleep for 1 hour. After that I went and did half of my physicals then in the afternoon I finished them. Then I went to help out family class, then took blackbelt class. That was basically my whole day!!! USA lost in soccer :(] king of hopping they would win....

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Work

Today was a lot of work.  I had to go through a whole different routine when I got home from summer camp and Tae Kwon Do.  I had to show initiative by putting all of my stuff away and doing my pushups and situps.  

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Today was ...

Today was a really hard day. Some friends came over and did some black belt cycle stuff with me. I went to two classes, Hyper Pro, and Sparring.

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Today we a...

Today we are cleaning out the attic. Let's just say it hasn't been that hot sense the hottest day with out air conditioning.

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Today I fi...

Today I finished my requirements and after that I took a break and played video games.My black belt class is today also.

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I got Alex...

I got Alexander all set up at Western Carolina University, it was a tough two days so I got nothing done but walked up and down a lot of hills. He is on his way to greatness and I look forward to seeing him grow, but now it is time to get on the path of what I need to do for this next exam. Upward and onward Burkart out

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I just got...

I just got back from Texas last night. It was hard trying to complete the goals for the day as we were up early and out late. I will now be able to get back into a routine.

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today I sa...

today I saved a baby bird. We found it laying in our driveway .Ii picked it up with a trash bag and put it back in its nest.we saw the mom and dad comeback. They didn't kick it out.

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today I sa...

today I saved a baby bird. We found it laying in our driveway .Ii picked it up with a trash bag and put it back in its nest.we saw the mom and dad comeback. They didn't kick it out.

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today I sa...

today I saved a baby bird. We found it laying in our driveway .Ii picked it up with a trash bag and put it back in its nest.we saw the mom and dad comeback. They didn't kick it out.

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today I sa...

today I saved a baby bird. We found it laying in our driveway .Ii picked it up with a trash bag and put it back in its nest.we saw the mom and dad comeback. They didn't kick it out.

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today I sa...

today I saved a baby bird. We found it laying in our driveway .Ii picked it up with a trash bag and put it back in its nest.we saw the mom and dad comeback. They didn't kick it out.

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today I sa...

today I saved a baby bird. We found it laying in our driveway .Ii picked it up with a trash bag and put it back in its nest.we saw the mom and dad comeback. They didn't kick it out.

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Monday, July 1

A few days ago, I got a new Teddy Bear hamster. She is 4 - 6 months old, and very small. Her name is Twix (like the candy) and yesterday her exercise ball came in the mail :) I will be using it so that she can run around while I do my requirements. (i did this blog entry early so that i would not forget about it AGAIN )                          ^----^                     (  0 . 0)                   _( , % , ) <---- hamster  

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Did not ge...

Did not get as many requirements done as i was hoping to today. But are after lunch work out made up for it 50 burped and 50 pushups.

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at the beach

I did all my workouts at a skate park today and ran at the beach so it was a fun day

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at the beach

I did all my workouts at a skate park today and ran at the beach so it was a fun day

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Marcus Hendricks - 6/30

Rolled my ankle playing kickball today. It was bothering me on and off the whole day. The day went surprisingly well without the Hartles. I'm hoping tomorrow will run just as smoothly.

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Faster today

6/30:  It is my Day 2.  I got done a lot quicker because I didn't have somebody beside me to joke around with.  Yesterday I was distracted by my sister.  But she was trying to help me.

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Monday...

Today was a more laid back day because it was overcast.  I got my requirements done and then I worked on work stuff.  I also took two walks down the Gatlinburg strip.  I really enjoy people watching when I’m walking through the crowds. 

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today i sa...

today i saved a baby bird. We found it laying in our driveway . i picked it up with a trash bag and put

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greate, good, okay, not so good, bad

so today I played with my friend then I did some of my TKD stuff and then I went to class and then I came home and I really don't want to be doing this right now. I want to be curled up in bed with a good book

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Today I go...

Today I got up early and did my running did knocked out my exercises so I could go to movie day & lunch with my youth at 10:30. We played basketball at movie day, had lunch together then watched a movie. It was a lot of fun. When I got home I took care of my neighbors garden, helped my grandmother with a few things she needed help with and played basketball until time to go to taekwondo. I did all 3 classes tonight and got another mentee session in. I am bummed about not having Saturday a classes this week but excited about black belt class tomorrow night. After taekwondo I did some meditation time while waiting for dinner to be delivered.

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Initiative

Today I had a talk with my dad about taking initiative with my Black Belt requirements.  I learned what initiative meant and how to use it.  So now I'm waking myself up early in the morning instead of my dad, and doing my requirements without being asked.  At camp, my group won three awards, for cleaning up my camp, being loud (having spirit) and cheering people on at the tower.  Last week at camp, I was awarded the most respectful person out of 200 kids in older camp.  

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Didn't get...

Didn't get as much sit-ups or pull-ups I wanted to do. Waked up at 6:30 and came back at 7:30 ish... In the afternoon I went to Hyper Pro class which was awesome.

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Texas Vacation

Been in San Antonio since Saturday. Been nice to see the family and have Grandbaby Christian here. Did not get to run yesterday, but made up for it with a long, hot 4 mile run today. Topped that off with an afternoon at Sea World and I am exhausted. I don't think I will get many other requirements done today!

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kickball

today at summer camp we played kickball and I kept getting evan out. it was really fun.

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kickball

today at summer camp we played kickball and I kept getting evan out. it was really fun.

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Today i di...

Today i did my empathy training and a lot black belt cycle stuff. I am super sore and tired.

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Today I di...

Today I did all of my requirements which woke me right up. And today I did not do a lot of stuff which I like.

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First day

6/29: Today was my first real day because I was on a cruise and didn't do very much last week.  It was very challenging.  The most challenging was my poomsaes and self defenses because that took the longest time for me.  And I have to write this on a program because my name isn't on the king tiger web yet.

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Made it he...

Made it here at the warrior's training camp 2014 . M & D paradise resort SanVicente Palawan Philippines. Day 3 just getting back on track. Hot hot hot. But fun. Putting down a lot of water.

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hangin with my friend

today i went swimming with my friend and we were playing a competition game. it was for the best dive. i won!!!!!!

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Sunday

Today was a productive day.  It rained really hard so that gave me time to do requirements.  We went to something called the Tomb Adventure where you were trapped in a cave and had to work puzzles to escape.  It was a lot of fun.  I’m glad I had my kids with me because they are really good at puzzles.  Then we walked a couple of miles down the Gatlinburg strip. 

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Patriotic church

Today we went to our church patriotic program by our choir along with two other local choirs. They had a bunch of snacks that tasted so good! It was very, very nice. They sang You're a Grand Old Flag, God Bless America, the National Anthem, to name only a few of the songs. I said thank you to all of the people who served in our military after the stood up. One man was crying, but it was easy to tell because his face was very red.

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Sunday

Today I have been very tired and had to do a lot of errands with my mom. I went to church this morning then we went by my moms office, to the furniture store and the grocery store. When I got home I carried the groceries in for my mom then I did my running for the day. After I did my running I started on my other exercises and got about half of them done then I had to go to the store with my mom again to help her. When we got back I went to work on my neighbors garden for them and then came home to finish up my exercises. After I finished I watched tv and rested for a little bit then I did meditation time while my mom cooked dinner. After I finished eating I finished up my white belt challenge essay and got about...

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Today has ...

Today has been short. I wake up and I play with my family and then we go sailing and then I go and do my TKD stuff and then I play with my dad and tonight I am having a sleepover with my friend

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Tired

Today was very hard day. I had a lot of physical requirements to do. Woke up today when to Church and then came back and ate lunch. After that I did my push-ups then took some rest then did my sit-up, burpees. After that I did my kicks, poomsaes, and self-defense. Then I went running with my mom and here I am now typing my journal.

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Marcus Hendricks - 6/28

Went to black belt class this morning. Spent the rest of the day celebrating my mother's birthday. I hope she enjoyed herself today!

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Short entry

This is rather short since I'm tired I have had a long day and I just want to go to bed I am finally at the beach and my family is around me and I just need to get some sleep since tomorrow is going to be a fun filled day. The place I am staying at is awesome 5 stories with an old Foosball table located down stairs but to tell the truth I'm going to get a workout running up and down the five flights of stairs my room is on the third floor and the main room is unfortunately on the top floor and today all I did was carry heavy luggage up the stairs and run back down to go carry more it was annoying and just no need I just need to go get some sleep and that is what I am going to do right...

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Today was ...

Today was a busy day. Did my running requirements after breakfast then went to 3 classes in Charlotte. Had fun and got some requirements in. When I got home I spent time with family.

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I am such a slacker

I am such a slacker I have barely done anything for three days and I know it and I regret it. So today I did three classes and for some reason I am wiped out and I don't know why because we did not work out that much in any of the classes and so I am perplexed. I don't know if I can do the rest of my requirements for today and I feel mad at myself for being so; well; tired.

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bbc

today at bbc we played a black belt jeapordy game. it was very fun and the questions were kind of tricky

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bbc

today at bbc we played a black belt jeapordy game. it was very fun and the questions were kind of tricky

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bbc

today at bbc we played a black belt jeapordy game. it was very fun and the questions were kind of tricky

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A lot accomplished...

Today I woke up because I was excited but relaxed for a little bit then headed to Hyper Pro class. Immediately after hyper pro I took the Saturday black belt class and then a sparring class. This was the first time I have taken a hyper pro class or Saturday black belt class at the North Charlotte school and I really enjoyed all 3 classes but I was exhausted when we finished. I was starving so my mom got me some lunch then I talked her into taking me & my sister to Rita's for Italian Ice. It was really good and we had a lot of fun. I fell asleep in the car on the ride home. As soon I got home I was still very tired but pushed myself to get started on my physical requirements. I got through half of them did my running then finished up my...

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Day 6 BBC

Saturday Black Belt Class was so much fun! Was able to get a Leadership 2 credit in for standing at the front and counting for Koryo. Did a lot of fun and interesting partner workout exercises in class as well. Had loads of fun playing Tae Kwon Do Jeapordy!

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Pretty Good Day

Today morning I woke up at 7 and ran 3 miles. Then I started doing my physical requirements and then took a rest and went to black belt class where Master Knight did a lot of things with us like my poomsae and Tae Kwon Do Jeopardy. A very fun class! Plus got some answers to the test.

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If you don't like something, change it. If you cant change it, change your attitude. Don't Complain -Maya Angelou

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Choices

So as normal for myself not everything always goes as planned. My requirements are in the dumps as time is an issue and I have to make a choice. Covered up beyond at work - -and so thankful for that - -and am finally taking an entire week off to visit family and partake in many different celebrations. If I do not get everything in order before I leave, vacation will be spent worrying and fielding calls. So my choice is work will be the priority over cycle, for the moment, but I am not worried, I know when I focus I can do anything I put my mind too. So if you look at my requirements you know what is up and that I have not fallen of the planet.

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So I have ...

So I have been running to my cross fit class which is 2.2 miles away form the school, seems like a great idea, however, yesterday when I get there we have to do death by 10m so more running, them ran back to the school for testing last night. Had a great test but my legs and heels, especially my heels hurt to where I can hardly walk and I have to stumble around to get anywhere. I really need to figure out how to stop hurting in my heels, I got new shoes but it really is the way I run, I need to run smoother. But on the bright side I got about 5.5 miles in yesterday.

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Vacation

I first off wanted to say that I was going to write an entry for yesterday but my dad had company over and my dad wanted me to help entertain right when I got home from class and right after they left I went comatose on the couch. Also I have to say I am going to the beach for vacation starting tomorrow through next Saturday so if some of my requirements go down don't laugh just like everyone I want to spend some time with my family but my uncle and aunt who are coming with us did agree to go jogging with me so I am looking forward to the company since after a while it get's boring running by yourself. I realize that I need my vacation from everything and whilst I enjoy taekwondo I do need my breaks I always go on my scheduled times when we...

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Today we w...

Today we went to the library for summer camp, so all the kids were less loud. When I got back I started doing my requirements. I ran a mile only stopping once for a short time. Right before black belt class I ran another without stopping at all.

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Friday, June 27

Today was kinda a do-nothing day. I mean,Ii did all of my requirements, but I never left the house. I finished Hoot,(the book i was reading for the cycle) and I am going to start on the essay soon. This weekend I might/will get a hamster. (my old one lived for three years and died about a week ago). So, that was basically all. ciao

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Today I we...

Today I went and stayed with my grandmother since my friends are still out of town and my sister was gone out of town with her friend. I helped her with things around her house then went and helped her at the grocery store and carrying her groceries for her. I worked on getting most of my exercises done and worked on my essays at her house and did some extra running then I ran to my house so I could finish up with my pull-up bar & kicking bag. After I finished my exercises at home I played basketball. My neighbor is out of town so I am taking care of their garden while they are gone so I went over and watered the plants. I enjoyed doing it and it was cool looking at how the vegetables grow up close. When my mom got home from work we went...

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A lot of t...

A lot of time to work on my black belt cycle today. i did tons of sit-ups and some other stuff. My book essay is finished.

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Cruise

Came back from cruise ship today. Had a great time there with my friends. After I came back I went to music class. Had a great day today. Still miss the ship though.

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911, or not

today we thought we lost my brother Foster. I looked every where for him. We found him running home crying and scared. He just went looking for my mom.

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Today we w...

Today we went to a skating rink in summer camp, and I got blisters. When I got back I helped with a few classes and ran a mile later on during a break. Right before sparring class I ran another mile. Sparring class was fun, I sparred my brother and Davis, who is on the black belt cycle.

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It Makes Me Smile...

I helped with the Junior Tiger class tonight.  I really enjoy working with the kids because they make me smile. They always come to class eager to learn with lots of enthusiasm.   

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Day 5 #Cycle

Today was so much fun! We went to Kate's Skating Rink (Lake Norman Summer Camp)! After we got back all the kiddos were all very tired so all the other people on the cycle and I went for a run and did a mile and then later did another mile before sparring class. I was able to do the last mile with only stopping once (instead of stopping 3 or 4 times) at the half mile point for a mere 10 seconds.

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Today I wa...

Today I was feeling tired. I worked on one of my essays today and some of requirements. Went to both classes and earned a leadership credit and did my first Mentee session. When I got home I was feeling better so I worked on more of my requirements.

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rabees

today we took my dog to the vet. he got his rabies shot. After i went back to sparing class for the first time in a while in a while. then i did a mile in 8:54 and smoked my mom who is a great runner.

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Thursday

Today I didn't have much going on because all of my friends are out of town so I just focused on my physical requirements. I started by day off by doing some of my requirements then ran for 2.1 miles. After my run I finished up my daily requirements and then I went to my great-grandmothers house with my sister and we played in the pool with our cousins for a little while. I also helped my great-grandmother with things she needed done around her house then I came home and got ready for taekwondo class. I did both classes tonight and finished up my last day of white belt challenge. I am happy to have another item for my requirements completed. Tonight I am just going to rest. Today has been another good day.

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dentist

i had to go to the dentist and i had a good check up. i had no cavities and no bad things.

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dentist

i had to go to the dentist and i had a good check up. i had no cavities and no bad things.

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dentist

i had to go to the dentist and i had a good check up. i had no cavities and no bad things.

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dentist

i had to go to the dentist and i had a good check up. i had no cavities and no bad things.

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dentist

i had to go to the dentist and i had a good check up. i had no cavities and no bad things.

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dentist

i had to go to the dentist and i had a good check up. i had no cavities and no bad things.

  843 Hits

dentist

i had to go to the dentist and i had a good check up. i had no cavities and no bad things.

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dentist

i had to go to the dentist and i had a good check up. i had no cavities and no bad things.

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Today i ha...

Today i have some time so i can work on my black belt cycle. i'm going to try to get as much done as possible. i really need to get caught up. i'm almost finished with my book essay.

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I am at KY...

I am at KY exploring the mamouth caves. I have been doin a lot of walking so I can count that for my run/walk. I have been having a good time here.

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Learning Again

Today i had to learn how to jump rope again it took me a few times to actually complete one round. The hardest part of cycle in my opinion is maybe the running part. oh and the waking up early part. Anyways i been running to KT then back to my house for a total of 3 miles per day. hopefully i can be done early with my running and focus on other things.

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Marcus Hendricks - 6/25

Very humid this afternoon when I went running. Summer camp went well. . I think I'm going to take this week easy. I need to get used to the routine.

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12 shoots of a cannon

Today was again a normal day we weren't able to go to the park because we had to clean the house so when I was washing the counter i did all may kicks and other stuff in strange ways so......BYE!!!!!!!!

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3rd Day

Gosh I am starting to think that these entries start all the same I had another great day I went to the dojang taught class and then went out for dinner with my mom and older sister (my father is out of town) only real complaint I have is that my left knee and calf have been killing me for some odd reason. Also my two dogs insist to "help me" train and practice whenever I do anything even while writing this my dog Stella is sitting on my lap and my dog Tybee wants to play and I'm tired so I guess after this I have to bite the bullet and play with him. Sorry it is a little short usually I do to many things but nonetheless I just have to say I am getting better at everything I'm doing my running is getting easier and my push-ups and...

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Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. –Henry David Thoreau

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Wednesday

Today I helped out with the 3:50 class and 5:45 class, I got leadership 1 and 2 credits. I took the 4:45 senior belt class. In the senior belt class it was just me and Aiden, a high red belt. He is testing Saturday for Bocho Dan so we spent most of the class making sure he was ready for the test. I still have 20 pushups and situps to do but as of right now I'm not sore. I think I'm gonna finish my pushups and situps then meditate for a little bit then go to bed. I can't wait for the weekend!

  820 Hits

Today we w...

Today we went to the movies to watch cloudy w/ a chance of meatballs 2 with the kids, walked half a mile there and back for a mile. When we got back we started classes and I just did my requirements in the back of the class.

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Tough Day

Today was a tough day…I was so tired this morning that I didn’t want to get out of bed and that never happens because I’m a morning person.  But I knew I had to drag myself to work.  I didn’t get my requirements done before work so I had to do them after work.  (But only after taking a short power nap because I literally couldn’t hold my eyes open.)  I did them while watching the Big Brother premiere.

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Day 4 Tired But Still Going On

Everything seems to be getting easier, by just a little bit. I am also doubling up on classes on Monday and Wednesdays. I seem to be getting lots of extra push ups, sit ups, poomsaes and self defenses. It's awesome!

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another cr...

another cross fit day, I run to cross fit complete class then run back to the school, ok I have to walk some because I am so tired from the work out, I am getting better but still not where I want to be. Forgot to log in a few times so have to get into a better habit and log in my time for things completed. Hope all are doing well, we have testing Friday PM and Saturday AM so if anybody needs some assistance time come on down.

  858 Hits

my First Journal Entry this cycle

I have been waking up early to get my sit ups, push ups and run....it is hard. Last night I did 3 TKD classes.....ugh!Looking forward to getting all my requirements in!

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Live is Good

So today I woke up after a full night's sleep and it felt great then I went downstairs and did almost all of my exercises for the day no problem. I came up and I ate breakfast and went running with my dad. When we got home and played some video games. Then I started reading, FYI I am a serous bookworm. Then I went over to my friend's house and we played aver there. Then I went to TKD and I had a lot of fun. When I got home I started reading again and here we are. Today has been a good day and now I have to log.

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A long hard day

Today I wasn't happy about waking up early to go on a run, and do a lot of push ups and sit ups.  I had to go to summer camp after that, and I was so tired, that I brought my pillow into the car for the ride.  By the end of summer camp, I was very tired because we are outside all day.  I was looking forward to the end of the day when I could eat dinner, but still have to do more push ups and sit ups.   

  904 Hits

Busy day

Today has been very busy. I went to tennis camp from 9-12 then came home and ate lunch. As soon as I finished eating I started working on my physical requirements and ran 1.8 miles. I only had a few minutes after finishing up my requirements then it was time to go to taekwondo. I took 2 classes. I did another day of white belt challenge during 1 class and got in a mentee session & earned a leadership 1 credit in the 2nd class. I came home from class and quickly ate dinner, did my meditation and now I am going to have ice cream with my friend/neighbor. It has been another good day & I got a lot accomplished.

  896 Hits

Very busy ...

Very busy schedule today. Not much time to work on my black belt cycle but, I did go to one class and did some stuff to get credit there.

  871 Hits

today i wr...

today i wrote one of my esseays.My hero was Bruterce Lee. After i watched one of his movies

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Bruce Lee

today i wrote one of my hero essays After i watched a movie about the person.

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Hump Day

Super tired today! Just told the hubby that I am skipping dinner tonight, hitting the shower and going to bed when I get home! Well, I will do a couple of loads of laundry too......ran a couple of miles with Master Schneider, did pal gwe forms, wang ho forms and nai bi gin forms. Will see what else I can get in through the rest of the day.

  910 Hits

to the woods run for your life

today i trained through motivation solid I ran at the park and did other stuff at the park but then at home I watched about 10 minutes of Amarican Ninja Warrior and I was like all right lets do this and now Im motivated to get through this cycle 2X as stronger than last time

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Marcus Hendricks - 6/24

Had a very long day today. I'm not used to doing so much during the day. I should get used to it by next week. Thankfully i can get a lot of requirements throughout teaching classes.

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Tuesday

  It was great to be back in class tonight.  (That’s the only bad part about being on vacation.)  We worked on the Palgwe forms and hapkido. Today was a good day.  

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