So after Monday’s practice my quads were burning. I’m actually surprised because I did workout at home over break so it’s not like I did nothing while on “vacation”. There are only two possibilities for my soreness: 1) All the kicking drills we did. 2) Sparring.
Naturally, Sabum has us do it all over again with sore legs last night. She also had the new students officially spar in a scored round for their first time. They’ve sparred before but not under these circumstances. It was only two 1 min. rounds but everyone kept saying: “That was only a minute but it felt like five.” It’s a whole different game when you are trying to score points and not give up points. It seems like forever and takes a ton of energy. Anyhow, they really enjoyed their first time doing this.
I got to take on the winner however the rules were someone adjusted. My opponent had to try and score 8 points on me. My job was to keep him from doing that. I could kick and punch him all I wanted but my points were not tallied. I’m pleased to report that I kept him at 6 but I did take a beating doing it. While I’m technically a black belt and he’s just a beginner he’s also half my age and a former athlete in track and football.
I did give as good as I got but it was a huge energy drain. I also took a shin kick to my right thigh. He’s got the El cheapo TKD shin pads which barely pad his shins. Well he nailed me full power (and on accident) in the thigh with his shin. I kept fighting but damn it hurt and my whole thigh went numb. I now know why you Muay Thai folks train to kick like that! A few of those and the fight would be over for sure.
This morning that part of my thigh was so numb that I practically fell out of bed trying to get up. It’s better when I keep moving but if I sit for long it gets stiff really fast. I can only hope he’s as sore as I am.
At least I know that I could make life hard for someone half my age who is untrained in a martial art. This much I am sure of and I’ll consider that an accomplishment because most guys my age could not.
~BCP
