Sparring Class

Sabum was sick but she still came to practice and taught. I’m glad I took the weekend off because she worked us very hard. PU is on spring break so almost all our students were gone. In fact, their were only two others besides myself and sabum.

I got their early and did a full stretch. Then I went through all the forms. This helped me a lot. Half my battle is getting stretched and warmed-up enough. If I can do it I can usually hold my own again these 20-something-year-olds.

We went through the traditional warm-ups then into attack and counter drills. After that we sparred and I FINALLY got my re-match with the ex-athlete that kicked my old butt in point sparring a few weeks back.

We are gearing up for a tourney so we are trying to give the low belts as much tournament-style sparring experience as possible. Sabum had me point spar both of them back-to-back and she put ex-athlete as my second opponent. Swell. Then, she had both the low belts spar continuous in another regulation match while I stepped out. On that match I scored and also was ex-athlete’s coach. I’m pleased to say he beat sabum’s student but just barely.

Point sparring is not my game and last time he murdered me because I fought him like I would in continuous. This time was different. I held him to 5 - 4. He did win but it was not a beat down like last time. Given that I’m 20 years older than both of these students and I had to spar another person before I got to him, I’m very pleased with myself. I don’t mind losing and really don’t give a rip about my opponent’s rank. What I do mind is getting murdered–especially if it was my fault. (or partially my fault)

I did beat the first student too but it was close. This student is also an ex-athlete and has lots of potential too.

As for the ex-athlete, well, he keeps getting better and better. His also lifting again and running three to five miles so he’s a growing challenge for sure. On the second round I was sucking wind so bad that I got the charity “Come on Bob!” cheer from Sabum and the other student. He was running out of gas too but I was starting to get tunnel vision due to the low oxygen. Sometimes I think that they think I’m gonna have a heart attack. Really, it may look bad but I’m OK. In fact, at my last physical the doctor complimented me on my cardio and low cholesterol so I think I’ll be OK. (I’d like to see them try it when they are 40!)

Pride goeth before the fall I suppose. The “old man” cheer used to bother more than it does now. I know they mean well but I do have my pride and in some ways I suppose it’s one of my weaknesses. Anyhow, I’m just dumb and stubborn enough to go ’til I drop. At least I’ve become a counter-fighter instead of a charger. Who says an old dog can’t learn new tricks?

Aside from the major bruise on the side of my right shin I’m feeling very good. All-in-all a very good practice.

~BCP