I just can’t do it…

… Those were my thoughts at our last training session. My body is letting me down! I know I’ve not been training in TKD for long, so this will probably not be the only time I’ll have to pass this hurdle. However this is the first time for me and I know it’ll require a lot of work to get over it.

The situation is simple, I’ve started learning the basic side kick just as I got promoted to green belt (we start using kicks rather late in our school and the reasons why are more than apparent to me at the moment) at the beginning of July, and I’m really struggling with it. Not that I have bad coordination, or for the lack of trying, but my body is letting me down good and proper. I lack the strength (the main issue) and the flexibility (a minor problem just now, but this will become more of an issue for higher kicks) in my hips to execute the technique correctly. I know what I’m doing wrong, I know how I should do it correctly, but I physically can’t. I’m not even trying to kick high, hip height at most.
So far I’ve progressed really well in my training (disclaimer: this is my personal opinion and may not reflect the thoughts and views of my master or my fellow students. Hahaha) and, given enough practice, I managed to at least get the techniques I’ve learnt reasonably correct. But no matter how hard I try, the side kick eludes me. This to me is very frustrating, but I will not give in that easily!
So my plan for the next two months is to really focus on building up strength in my hips and working on my flexibility outside of our regular classes, with the ultimate goal of finally nailing that elusive side kick. I shall try and post regular updates on my progress, but I can’t promise anything at this stage :-P
Wish me luck…

Back in green

Well, it’s been a while since my last entry. The main reason for this is probably because I haven’t been training all that much over the past few weeks. Between my holidays, my instructor’s holidays and a brief illness, I have only attended about 2 or 3 training sessions since my grading. Speaking of… for those that care, I did pass and I’m now a loud and proud green belt. Our two white belts have also passed their grading by the way. Congratulations Nicole and Daniel, well done.

So what have I been up to? As I said, I’ve only started proper training again last week, so there hasn’t been much news. The main two points would be the side kick (which is killing my ridiculously underdeveloped hip muscles) and various applications of wrist locks (which are killing my… you’ve guessed… wrists).

My main focus at the moment is the side kick though, because I think I have a very long way to go before I’ll feel comfortable with it. For the first time since starting to train in TKD I feel that my physique is letting me down. I simply lack the strength and flexibility in my hips to properly practice the side kick. Therefore I’ve been doing a lot of exercises outside of class to remedy this (constant muscle soreness included).

In general the weeks without training have left me in a worse physical state than I’d like to admit. I’ve gained a good bit of weight and lost a considerable amount of flexibility and strength. It will take me a good few weeks to get back into shape, but I should get there, if I set my mind to it. Wish me luck…