Black Belt 101

Okay, so I've been trying this new format on for size and honestly, it's just not working for me. As I commit myself to "Black Belt Excellence," part of my journey requires that I journal my workouts, my food intake and my thoughts on the process. Chronicling my workouts and nutrition is tedious. I've decided to try a new format. Plus, one or two of my friends are actually reading this, so I'm compelled to make it just a touch more interesting, especially if I continue to roll with it and provide a link from Damaged Diva.
Friday, they had Lori's, Mary's & Carol's  official black belt ceremony. I produced a video presentation of my friends' journeys and presented it to the people at our school. There was an overwhelmingly positive response. Super fun. As I watch the video over (and over), I am inspired. I am next. However, six months just does not seem like enough time given my current preparation and the preparation required for the results I wish to achieve. I tried two-a-days this week and promptly learned that two-a-days at 46 years old only results in me falling face first into my dinner, asleep at around 7pm. I'm going to have to get more creative than I was in my 20's but this produces a touch of panic. I used to be able to ready myself for an event in six weeks. Now, given my response to metabolic demands and potential for injury, I need more recovery time. How do I squeeze in my workouts, my MMA curriculum, and the rest of my busy life into 7 days a week? Such is the challenge. My 29 year-old, KJN, Jonathan Calizar is not worried. He is confident he can get me ready by November. Of course, he believes this because he is 29. He could get ready in six weeks. I worry that he does not understand my battered-body dilemma. I need to start NOW. I need to get going today to compensate for the extra days of recovery and rest that all of my extra training will require. As a bonus, my kids are out of school in June for two months, meaning I will then have to figure out how to work the kids into the process. More energy expended. More recovery needed. Ugh.
My friends Lori and Mary went down this path while their mothers were at the end of their lives. Both of their mothers passed away in the six months prior to their black belt tests and the experiences took a toll on both of them. Having had Cancer on my journey, I am well aware that tragedy can strike and any given moment and the time to focus on training is now.
I am recovered today from last week's two-a-days. Ready to start a new plan that will hopefully be a little more successful. I've realized that I need way more protein than I am eating and water intake is also below par. It's not even hot yet. However, I turned the corner with running. It doesn't seem as awful. I realize I need two days in between my 2 mile runs to rest and recover my joints. I need to focus on my core a little more anyway and ease into the push-ups. I've been doing pull-up negatives (lowering) to prepare myself for doing Pull-ups. This week, I was able to do 2 full pull-ups! This is exciting because since my mastectomy, I have been unable to do any pull ups largely due to the effect the surgery had on my latissimus muscles. Too much too soon contributed to a torn tendon in my shoulder and a realization that baby steps would be required. I am now up to 15, well-executed, pain-free push ups per set and feeling stronger. When I think of where I was last year at this time (one month post-radiation and healing a broken rib), I am a little more gentle with my expectations.
Herein lies the difficulty. How do I continue to be gentle with expectations when I feel six months is barely enough time to ready myself for my test. I have to count on my external resources who are my MMA instructors and friends who have already been down this path, but as an athlete, I am driven to drive the process. I am also prone to overtraining, and my recent sugar cravings indicate I'm probably on that path. Time to switch strategies.
It is Memorial Day weekend. It is an obvious starting point. Six weeks until Tough Mudder in Tahoe and six months until my black belt test. Hoping to get in a groove that allows all aspects of my life to roll along in harmony. Learning much as I make adjustments to all aspects.