This past Tuesday was something else. I had worked in our new organic, no-till garden on Sunday, putting in mulch and compost over newspaper, arranging permanent paths and beds. I also installed a flower bed between the trees in our front yard.
After all this work, my legs were very sore in the back of the thighs the next day from working bent over most of the day Sunday. The fallout from this lasted most of the week.
Tuesday night, I went to class, and advised Sensei that I'd wracked my legs putting in the garden. Stretching before class helped a little. (I have learned that stretching before and after gardening is probably a good idea.) Sensei decided that I needed to work it out of my legs - so, kicking drills for most of the class. We dragged out the two big wavemasters, (the size half again as large as the one I bought) and we practiced every kick I've heard of, with a few hand strikes thrown in.
My legs actually did feel better immediately after class. The next day, however, they were pure rubber. I could barely get up and down the stairs at home. Yowsa!
Thursday, we started with kicking drills again, and also some hand and knee strikes. Then we practiced kata as well. (Sensei also told me and one other white belt that we will test for yellow in June.) After kata, we then had sparring practice.
Both days were very much washagi. Sweat city, elevated heart rate, aerobic exercise. Good stuff. My legs are pretty much recovered now.
One of the fun things that happened - there are two other guys my age in class. Two of us were sitting talking a bit before class. Our other 40-something came up, and teasingly said, " Ahh, Twinkie, and Twinkette." I couldn't resist. "So, does that make you the official Bakery Cream Puff?" I asked. We all got a good laugh out of that one.
The funny thing is, these two guys are also the toughest opponents in sparring. Tougher than some of the much higher belt ranks in class. Good for them noth - it was fun and a challenge. Thank goodness for protective gear!
Sayonara,
Dan
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